Democrats are proud to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and the contributions of the millions of disabled people who live and work in the United States. NDEAM reflects the importance of empowering every worker in the American labor force — values that Democrats across the country will continue to champion as we prepare to go to the polls in November.

This month, we recognize the progress made in raising disability employment rates. However, we also acknowledge that we have a long way to go in the fight for full equality. If people with disabilities were hired at the same rate as the rest of the labor force, they would fill 32,200 more jobs by 2022 — a clear indication of a disparity in hiring practices. That’s why Democrats are working to increase participation in our workforce, including by ending the sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities, improving access to meaningful and gainful employment, and protecting and expanding the right of Americans with disabilities to get the accommodations and support they need to live in integrated community settings.

While Democrats are fighting to build a fully inclusive workforce, the Trump administration and congressional Republicans are trying to make it harder for people with disabilities to live and work in their communities. From voting to gut the Americans with Disabilities Act to proposing deep funding cuts for Medicaid, independent living, job training, and workforce accessibility programs, the GOP is actively working to roll back protections for people with disabilities.

This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we pledge to continue protecting the rights of Americans with disabilities and working to elect Democratic leaders committed to fighting for the disability community.