Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced the winners of the 2025 Lex Frieden Employment Awards, recognizing businesses and individuals for their dedication to employing and supporting workers with disabilities. According to the Office of the Texas Governor, the awards highlight those who promote "independence, productivity, and self-determination." The ceremony will take place on October 2, 2025, at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, during the HireAbility Employer Forum.
Among the esteemed recipients are Mermaid Café from San Antonio, crowned as Small Employer, and the City of Brownsville, which secured the title for Large Employer. Winners across different categories, such as Medium Employer, Nonprofit Employer, Entrepreneur, Martha Arbuckle Award, and the prestigious Governor's Trophy, have also been named. According to the Office of the Texas Governor, Abbott's personal investment in this cause, having been paralyzed from an accident over 40 years ago, resonates through his commitment to endorsing businesses that empower their employees, as he himself stated, "In life, we are not defined by the challenges that we face but by how we respond to those challenges."
The HireAbility Forum is set to be a significant event, equipped with presentations from disability advocates, industry leaders, and ADA experts. Informative sessions at the forum aim to showcase innovative strategies for integrating employees with disabilities into the workforce, and attendees will even have the chance to earn Society for Human Resource Management Continuing Education Units. Members of the public are encouraged to join the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities in what is pegged to be a vibrant celebration of successful employment for people with disabilities.
In conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, marking its 80th anniversary, these recognitions signal a broader movement toward inclusive employment. The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, noted for recommending changes in disability policies and promoting greater awareness, reinforces the state's dedication to the lives of independence, productivity, and self-determination for citizens with disabilities. The chairman’s commendations this year—including nods to the Texas Veterans Commission and prominent figures like Rusty Bourland and Cord Shiflet from Austin—underscore an ongoing commitment to diversifying the Texan workforce. Tickets for the Forum and award ceremony are available at the Texas government website, providing an opportunity for all to honor those driving positive change in the workplace.
