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Place a big circle around October 15, 2008 on your calendar. This is the scheduled date for this year's Disability Mentoring Day (DMD). DMD is observed annually and internationally throughout the year. Disability Mentoring Day is an undertaking that's recognized across the country. Several cities hold DMD kick offs and activities on this day.

The basic purpose of this day is to allow students and job-seekers who have disabilities to try their hands at an array of different careers. It's also designed to raise disability awareness. The original idea for Disability Mentoring Day was borrowed from the National Groundhog Job Shadow day. This day provides opportunities for students to "shadow" workers while they're on their jobs.

The History of Disability Mentoring Day
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) subsidized the first National Disability Mentoring Day (NDMD) in 1999. It was in conjunction with the White House as a way to bring more attention to National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is celebrated every October. NDMD is a national alliance between the AAPD and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Less than 36 students kicked off the first National Disability Mentoring Day (NDMD), which was held chiefly in Washington D.C. In 2001, the American Association of People with Disabilities took over the reins of DMD. That year, there were more than 1,500 students and job-seekers, numerous employers and over 70 local coordinators in 32 states participating in the program. Disability Mentoring Day has continued to grow consistently every year. In 2005, the number of participants had increased to 9,000 students with disabilities. The locations had increased to 20. These students were counseled and taught by over 2,000 organizations.