Governor Gavin Newsom declared October 2026 as Disability Employment Awareness Month, pledging continued state support for services to workers with disabilities.
The proclamation, issued October 16, recognizes 4.7 million Californians with disabilities and features the theme "Celebrating Value and Talent." Newsom cited concern about federal threats to essential services. According to the proclamation, "Federal actions threatening these resources risk reversing hard-won progress and placing new barriers between people with disabilities and the opportunities they deserve."
California will continue protecting critical services and investing in education, care and workforce opportunities for disabled residents. The state released a Master Plan for Career Education to provide hands-on learning regardless of age, income, disability or immigration status.
Newsom said accessibility must become "the default in the places we work, the technology we use, and the systems people depend on." The state committed to defending access, inclusion and equal opportunity for Californians with disabilities.