Richland Newhope Indusrties joins observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2026

Richland Newhope Industries announced Tuesday that it will join the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place in October.

The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to bring attention to disability employment and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. The 2026 theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it began as a weeklong recognition of people with physical disabilities.

Later, NDEAM expanded to a full month and evolved to include all people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, acknowledging the importance of increasing their access to jobs.

RNI, Inc. works with and supports people in community employment for almost 50 years.

To this end, RNI, Inc. is accredited through CARF (Commission on Rehabilitation Facilities) and was last reviewed in 2025 resulting in zero citations.

RNI, Inc. has built strong, strategic partnerships with local employers, resulting in a steady pipeline of diverse job opportunities and promoting inclusive hiring practices that benefit both the person served and the boarder community. RNI, Inc. has been recognized for its strategic and innovative business ventures, which create meaningful employment and training opportunities for persons served with a valuable experience.

These business ventures include the Element of Art Gallery, the City Garden Cafe, Lawn Service, Custodial Service, and electronic recycling service. RNI, Inc. provides job development, job coaching, employment retention, and other employment services in Richland, Crawford, Ashland, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Seneca, and Wyandot counties.

“RNI, Inc. is proud to take part in this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Ann Ahlers-Cole. “We want to spread the important message that we value all contributions, including those of individuals with disabilities.”

Employers and workers in any industry can visit dol.gov/NDEAM to learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October and promote its messages all year.