Disability Mentoring Day promotes career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities through job shadowing and hands-on career exploration. It is sponsored nationally by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and implemented in Florida by The Able Trust and statewide partners. With leadership, coordination and resource materials from The Able Trust, local communities organize their own mentoring activities across Florida. "Economic empowerment is at the heart of civil rights for people with disabilities. By building relationships between mentees and mentors working in fields that interest them and building a year-round career exploration program, Disability Mentoring Day helps to create a pipeline of qualified workers and gives people with disabilities greater direction and motivation.” Florida Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is part of a national, broad-based effort to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, job shadowing and internships or employment opportunities. Students and job seekers are matched with employers for an on-site job shadowing experience. DMD is commemorated the third Wednesday of October, in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.