In keeping with our monthly sharing of notable holidays and dates important to diverse groups we serve, the DEI Committee presents the following details to help inform your clinical, supervisory, teaching, and leadership efforts. October is notable for being a celebration of Filipino-American, Italian-American, Polish-American, and German-American heritage. Some other relevant month-long commemorations include:
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month is designed around a campaign to raise awareness about disability employment issues and recognize the contributions of workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam
- National Down Syndrome Awareness Month was established to raise public awareness of Down syndrome, celebrate people’s abilities and accomplishments, and advocate for acceptance and inclusion of people with this common disorder.
- National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month aims to encourage schools, communities and organizations to address bullying and cyberbullying, and put an end to hatred and racism by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of all forms of bullying on children of all ages.(*Please note that we are including this on the calendar because bullying actually also take place in LTC settings; and is a topic that may be very relevant to our PLTC members.)
- LGBT History Month is an observance of LGBT history and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It is celebrated in October to commemorate the first and second marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987 for LGBT rights.
October 1: International Day of Older Persons aims to raise awareness about issues that older adults face and the need to ensure that people can grow old with dignity.
October 2: International Day of Non-Violence is observed annually on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, the leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.
October 5: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the most sacred day of Judaism and is often observed with 25 hours of fasting and prayer. Some observing Jews spend the day in the synagogue. Jewish holidays are generally celebrated from sundown the day before (October 4) ending at sundown (October 5).
October 10-11: Sukkot (Feast of the Tabernacles) celebrates the harvest and the protecting of the Jews on their way to the Promised Land. It is a 7-day holiday but work is not allowed for only the first 2 days.
October 10: World Mental Health Day focuses on global mental health education, advocacy against social stigma, and awareness about the major effects mental health issues have on peoples’ lives worldwide.
October 10: Indigenous People’s Day/ National Native American Day (South Dakota and Wisconsin)is celebrated the second Monday every October. It celebrates the culture, heritage, and history of Native American people. It is recognized in several states and is gaining popularity in the rest of the nation as a replacement for the Columbus Day holiday.
October 11: National Coming Out Day celebrates the bravery of individuals to speak up and serves as a reminder that homophobia thrives in silence and ignorance: once people know that they have a loved one who is LGBTQ+, they are far less likely to maintain homophobic or oppressive views and instead become a supporter of equality under the law.
October 15: White Cane Safety Day celebrates the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the importance of the white cane as an important symbol and tool for independence. White Cane Safety Day laid the precedent for equal rights to access roads for the sighted and the blind. The canes are painted white as a visible indicator for sighted people that the user is visually impaired. https://brailleinstitute.org/white-cane-day
October 20: Spirit Day was started as a way to speak out against a rash of widely publicized bullying-related suicides of LGBTQ+ students in 2010. On this day, millions of Americans wear purple as a sign of support to LGBTQ+ youth and solidarity against anti-LGBTQ+ bullying. https://www.glaad.org/spiritday
October 22: International Stuttering Awareness Day is designated since 1998. It raises public awareness about stuttering, which affects nearly 1% of the world’s population. The day reminds us help is available, challenges negative attitudes and discrimination, and celebrates the many notable figures who stutter and have made a positive impact to the world.
October 24: Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhist. The festival usually lasts five days.
Please note that from time to time, communications on behalf of the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) Committee may include information from other organizations or advocacy groups in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. We believe this information can help spark discussions, further the exchange of ideas and best practices, and ultimately help further PLTC’s purpose, among other goals, to provide advocacy on ethical, regulatory, organization, and public policy issues which impact individuals and professionals in long-term care. It is not intended to support or oppose any partisan political views, beliefs, or ideology.