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Office of the Texas Governor, Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities
Register for the 2023 Texas HireAbility Employer Forum and Lex Frieden Employment Awards

The Lex Frieden Employment Awards (LFEA) are part of Texas' celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) and the Texas HireAbility Campaign to promote the full employment of Texans with disabilities. We are pleased to announce that Continuing Education Units are available for the four-hour Forum whether attendance is in-person or virtual. Register to attend in person [ [link removed] ]. For virtual attendees,?register [ [link removed] ] in advance for the webinar to be eligible for CEUs.

LFEA and DEAM Poster Art Competition winners will be honored during the Texas HireAbility Employer Forum and the Lex Frieden Employment Awards [ [link removed] ] ceremony, which will be held in-person on *Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 10:00 AM ? 2:00 PM at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance, 118 Paseo del Prado, Edinburg, Texas 78539.*

Learn more about the Texas HireAbility Campaign. [ [link removed] ]

2023 Texas HireAbility Employer Forum and Lex Frieden Employment Awards

The Office of the Governor?s Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD) announces the winners of the 2023 Lex Frieden Employment Awards (LFEA) [ [link removed] ] and Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) Poster Art Competition. [ [link removed] ] The LFEA and DEAM Poster Art Competition coincide with Disability Employment Awareness Month [ [link removed] ] recognized each October in Texas.

?"Our lives are not defined by how we are challenged, but rather, how we respond to that challenge," said Governor Abbott. "After my life-altering accident that left me paralyzed 39 years ago, I made the decision to not let my life be defined by the enormous challenge that I faced. In Texas, there is freedom and opportunity for everyone?including the 5.4 million Texans with a disability. Together, if all Texans band together for disability employment awareness, we will foster a brighter, more inclusive Texas for everyone who calls our great state home. I congratulate the winners of this year's Lex Frieden Employment Awards and DEAM Poster Art Competition for their work and advocacy for Texans with disabilities across our state."

Named in honor of disability rights champion Lex Frieden, the Employment Awards are bestowed upon Texans who have displayed a commitment to empowering their employees, co-workers, and fellow Texans with disabilities.

*_2023 Lex Frieden Employment Award Winners & Poster Art Competition Winner: [ [link removed] ]_*

*Large Employer:* The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

*Medium Employer:* TrueHarvest Farms, LLC (Belton)

*Small Employer:* Nacho?s Restaurant Cantina & Grill (San Angelo)

*Nonprofit Employer:* Upshur County Public Library (Gilmer)

*Entrepreneur of the Year:* Christian?s Cookie House (Harlingen)

*Martha Arbuckle Award:* Valley Association for Independent Living (McAllen)

*Governor?s Trophy:* Dr. Lidia Fonseca (McAllen)

*Poster Art Competition Winner:* Victor Vera (Plano)

We present the judge's art selection for the 2023 Disability Employment Awareness Poster.

A Unique Vision by Victor Vera

"A Unique Vision "by Victor Vera depicts a large blue eye with a white pupil and an iris in gradient rainbow hues. Along the top lid, the eyelashes are represented by people of all different abilities, shapes, and sizes. The painting?represents the way some people with disabilities see the world, demonstrating how their ?unique vision? can be invaluable and enhance the workplace.?Victor says, ?The world is a more colorful place with people of all abilities in it.?



As part of Disability Employment Awareness Month, GCPD and the Texas Workforce Commission partner each October to promote the Texas HireAbility Campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and highlight the contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce.

Through the Texas HireAbility campaign, thousands of DEAM posters are distributed to Texas employers and businesses featuring original work from outstanding Texas artists, along with their picture and personal statement. The artwork featured in the annual Texas HireAbility poster is decided through GCPD?s DEAM Poster Art Competition. [ [link removed] ] ?A Unique Vision? by Victor Vera (Plano) is the 2023 DEAM Poster Art Competition Winner. [ [link removed] ]



The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities provides GovDelivery updates for informational purposes on a variety of disability related issues for a diverse audience. Updates may include information provided by external sources. The inclusion of this external information does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the Committee or the Office of the Governor of any information, policy, product, or service offered by an external source.

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