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Office of the Texas Governor, Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month ? Join Us!

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) goes back to 1945, when Congress first enacted a law recognizing the importance of employing people with disabilities and bringing awareness to the ways in which we can enhance the workforce system to better serve people with disabilities. This year?s theme is "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation," in recognition of the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive American workforce.?

In Governor Abbott?s proclamation recognizing Disability Employment Awareness Month in Texas, we are reminded that ?All Texans?regardless of disability status?have a role to play as we build the Texas of tomorrow, and we must all do our part to ensure that no disability stands between Texans and their dreams. Every year, the month of October is designated as Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) to celebrate Texans with disabilities and their indispensable contributions to the Lone Star State?s workforce. During this month, we recommit ourselves to promoting?disability employment awareness, cultivating more inclusive workplaces, and creating more employment opportunities for Texans with disabilities.? As we work toward these goals, we will create a more robust economy and a stronger, more inclusive state.

Participate in DEAM recognition in Texas ? Join Us on Oct 6th

Join us on Thursday, October 6th from 10:00 ? 2:00 for the Lex Frieden Employment Awards and TWC HireAbility Forum. ?Registration is available on the Governor?s Committee website at: https://gov.texas.gov/organization/disabilities/lfea-twc-registration.

This event will feature Christine Ha, winner of MasterChef, who is also a nationally known disability advocate and owner of Houston restaurant The Blind Goat and Xin Chao. Registration has been extended but seats for in-person participants in Houston are limited. FREE Zoom Registration is also available.

This annual event honors Texas employers who are leading the way in disability employment and recognizes local organizations and individuals for their service to Texans with disabilities. The forum?s keynote speakers and presenters will share their viewpoints on the best practices on how to support employees with disabilities by creating accessible workplaces, tips on inclusive hiring practices, artificial intelligence, and digital accessibility in the workplace, and the corporate perspective from Hewlett Packard.

Event Details

Date: October 6, 2022

Time: 10 AM ? 2 PM, (doors open at 9:30)

Location: Houston Community College West Loop Campus, 5601 West Loop South, Houston, 77081, Auditorium 101

On-site participants will enjoy networking over coffee with leading Houston employers, state government workforce leaders, and 2022 award winners. A free autographed Texas National Disability Employment Awareness Month poster, ability to earn SHRM & HRCI CEUs (virtual and in-person), and a catered Texas BBQ lunch are included with your registration.

This year, the Texas HireAbility campaign celebrates its sixth anniversary which coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services provides customized services for individuals with disabilities so they may obtain, maintain, or retain employment. If you are a Texan who has a disability that has prevented you from finding or maintaining employment, reach out to a local office near you at https://webp.twc.state.tx.us/services/VRLookup/ ?or self-refer at StartMyVR.? To find a Texas HireAbility hiring event or webinar near you, please visit https://twc.texas.gov/partners/texas-hireability#texasHireabilityEvents.

GovDelivery, Inc. sending on behalf of the Office of the Governor ? P.O. Box 12428 ? Austin TX 78711-2428 ? 800-843-5789