Honoring Disability Employment and Breast Cancer Awareness Months

By April Snow, she/her/hers  
Director of Donor Systems and Support, YMCA of Greater Seattle 

October is a big month — it’s both National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is an important opportunity to recognize how disability and health intersect, especially for Black disabled women, who often face unique challenges in both employment and healthcare access. Did you know that black women face a 40% higher mortality rate from breast cancer compared to their white counterparts, largely due to systemic barriers such as delayed diagnosis and inequitable access to quality care? These disparities are compounded for disabled individuals, who may also encounter obstacles such as inaccessible healthcare environments, lack of accommodations, and transportation challenges. 

At the Y, we know that equity goes beyond accommodations in the workplace. It also means ensuring that our disabled employees from all communities — particularly those from marginalized communities — have access to the resources they need to thrive in every aspect of life. That's why we're proud of the work our Community Health Navigator Program does to bridge these gaps. The program offers crucial health services to those who often face the highest barriers to care, including disabled women and communities of color. 

"By taking these resources directly into communities, we ensure that no one is left behind — especially those facing both health and accessibility challenges,” says Dr. Sonya Walker, leader of the Community Health Navigator team at the YMCA of Greater Seattle. 

This commitment to health equity reflects the same values we champion in the workplace — making sure that accessibility and inclusion are central to everything we do. Whether it's providing resources to our employees or extending support through programs like the Health Navigators, we’re celebrating how disability justice is about creating opportunities for everyone to thrive, both at work and in their personal lives. 

This October, as we recognize NDEAM and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s commit to shining a light on the intersections of race, disability, and health. Our employees and the communities we serve deserve the support and care they need to live healthy, empowered lives.