October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and promote inclusive employment practices across the country. For many companies, it’s also the perfect opportunity to educate, inspire, and lead with purpose. That’s where we come in.
We’re John and Mark X. Cronin, the father-son team behind John’s Crazy Socks and Abilities Rising, and we’ve made it our life’s work to show what people with differing abilities can achieve when given a chance.
We walk the walk. John is not only an entrepreneur and business owner, but he also has Down syndrome. At John’s Crazy Socks, more than half of our employees have a differing ability. We deliver a simple message: hiring people with differing abilities is not altruism, it is good business.
Why NDEAM Matters
Established in 1945 and expanded in 1988, NDEAM is a powerful reminder about the talent and potential offered by people with a disability. It is an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and see what people with disabilities can do for the rest of us. It is an opportunity to see how hiring people with disabilities benefits our organizations, making us more resilient and stronger. Hiring people with disabilities is good for business.
Today, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities remains unacceptably high. But we’re changing that. At businesses like John’s Crazy Socks, we are demonstrating how to hire, onboard, and employ people with differing abilities. More importantly, we’re showing how that benefits our business. And we are not alone, we can point to small companies like Rising Tide Car Wash in Florida, Ventures ATL in Georgia, and Spectrum Design here in New York. But we can also point to national organizations like Microsoft and IBM.
We’ve Inspired Audiences at Leading Companies and ERGs
John and I have taken to the road like evangelists to spread the word of how employing people with differing abilities benefits everyone.We’ve spoken at corporate events with Moody’s, Kohl’s, Bank of America, Microsoft, EY, and dozens of others during NDEA. We’ve spoken at national events for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and state conferences for HR professionals from Arizona to Indiana, Maryland to New York. We’ve connected with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), leadership teams, HR professionals, and entire organizations, as well as colleges and universities such as Stanford, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Rutgers, and Holy Cross. Our talks inspire, challenge, entertain, and lead to action.
What We Share in Our Talks
Our presentations blend real-life experience, humor, and business insights. We speak openly about:
- Our journey of building the world’s largest sock store and creating a social enterprise led by a young entrepreneur with Down syndrome.
- Why inclusive hiring is not altruism; it’s a competitive advantage.
- How to unleash untapped talent and create workplaces where everyone belongs.
- The role of purpose in creating motivated teams and thriving companies.
People leave our talks saying things like, “The best keynote I’ve ever heard” and “Thank you for inspiring our company to see what’s truly possible.”
We’re Booking Now for NDEAM 2025
We still have limited availability for October, and we’d love to speak with your organization during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Whether it’s a keynote, fireside chat, ERG event, or custom engagement, we tailor each session to your team’s goals. Virtual or in-person, we bring the same energy, joy, and impact every time.
You don’t just get a speech — you get a movement. One that will stay with your people long after the socks are put away.
Ready to Inspire Your Team?
Let’s make NDEAM 2025 the most meaningful one yet. Learn more at www.johnandmarkcronin.com. Reach out directly to Connie at hello@tcaa.com or call at 570.906.4395
Let’s change the world together: one job, one story, one smile at a time.
