In a move to highlight the role that people with disabilities play in the workforce, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced the start of the ninth annual Texas HireAbility campaign, an initiative to enhance employment opportunities for disabled individuals throughout the state, as per a statement on the Office of the Texas Governor. Coinciding with the campaign, Abbott also declared October 2024 as Disability Employment Awareness Month, recognizing nearly two million Texans with disabilities.
"Each October, we celebrate Texas' diverse workforce that employs nearly two million Texans with disabilities across our state and helps power our strong economy," Governor Abbott stated, underscoring Texas as a bastion of opportunity and reflecting on his personal journey of overcoming a debilitating injury to lead the state, as the Governor's official website reported. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)'s strategic partnerships align with the campaign's objectives, aiming to connect employers with a skilled, diverse workforce. TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel expressed support for Texans of all abilities, highlighting the shared goals of maximizing workforce success.
Alberto Treviño III, TWC Commissioner Representing Labor, emphasized the essential contribution of diverse skills and talents to the strength of the Texas workforce while TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza pointed out the importance of inclusivity within the community and advocated for initiatives such as Texas HireAbility to help employers fortify their efforts in hiring and accommodating people with disabilities, as the Governor's office noted. The Texas HireAbility Employer Forum, scheduled for October 30, at Dallas College's Cedar Valley Campus, plans to offer insights on accessibility and disability inclusion, moreover, the event will honor standouts in the field with the Lex Frieden Employment Awards.
The TWC's endeavor, the We Hire Ability program, sets a standard for workplace inclusion, recognizing businesses that ensure at least 10% of their workforce includes people with disabilities, aiming to identify employers who are dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment. Furthermore, Texas HireAbility will feature various state-wide events in October such as job fairs and hiring events catered to employers and job seekers of all abilities, further details and calendared activities can be found by visiting the Texas HireAbility website.
