EXIM Offers Trade Finance Tools to Support Disability Employment Awareness Month

In October, the nation marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which provides an opportunity to celebrate the value and talent employees with disabilities add to America's workplaces and economy. This year's theme of "Access to Good Jobs for All" underscores the commitment to ensuring disabled workers have access to good jobs, every month of every year.

According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, more than 44.1 million Americans have a disability. To highlight the essential contributions that disabled Americans make to our workplaces, economy, and nation, EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis is presenting a special message, emphasizing EXIM's commitment to making inclusiveness a priority.

EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month.You also can view her message here.

Providing Resources to Support Small Businesses

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, highlighting the contributions to the nation's economy made by workers with disabilities and showcasing supportive policies and practices that benefit both workers and employers.

"Our theme in 2024, 'Access to Good Jobs for All,' speaks to our commitment to expand the number of employment opportunities for people with disabilities and the quality of those opportunities. Good jobs change lives and all workers - including disabled people - deserve the opportunity to prepare for success in high-quality, good-paying jobs in workplaces free of discrimination," said Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 1 in 10 Americans have a disability:

• TheU.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability totaled 44.1 million people in 2022 - or 13 percent of the population.
• That includes 9.8 million people who are employed.
• Other research has shown that more than 1.8 million Americans with a disability own small businesses, but they must overcome unique barriers to compete alongside their non-disabled counterparts in today's business world.

To help spread the word about EXIM financing to underserved communities, EXIM's Minority and Women-Owned Business Division (MWOB) works directly withcompanies that are owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community as well as rural and startup businesses, helping them access EXIM financing and navigate the next steps on their exporting journey.The MWOB Division is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024.

As part of those efforts, EXIM recently launched an innovative new product - the Equity Express Select (EQS) export credit insurance policy, an insurance tool created to help underserved companies begin or expand their export business.

The EQS insurance product is designed to help qualifying businesses start or expand their exporting journey and then graduate to one of EXIM's other export credit insurance products. It is supported by an in-house customer service team that will guide companies through the application and servicing process.

Opening the Doors of Opportunity

The roots of National Disability Employment Awareness Month date to 1945, when Congress declared the first week of October to be "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week," according to the Library of Congress.

In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Then in 1990, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which guarantees access and prohibits discrimination based on disability.

In proclaiming this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month, President Biden underscored that America's economy is stronger when every American has an opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully.

"During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we celebrate the talent, impact, and legacy of people with disabilities across our Nation by working to make our country stronger, more prosperous, and more just. And we recommit to ensuring people with disabilities have every opportunity to pursue the American Dream," the President said.

To find out how EXIM can help your business compete in the global marketplace, schedule a free consultation with a member of the MWOB team and launch your export journey today.

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