2019 Statewide Texas HireAbility Events Connect Employers and Job Seekers with Disabilities
Date: October 8, 2019
Media Contact: Cisco Gamez
Phone: 512-463-8556
AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is partnering with the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and Texas Workforce Solutions for the Texas HireAbility campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. The campaign is now in its fourth year and coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to highlight the contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce. During October, TWC and its partners will feature resources for employers and conduct a statewide series of hiring events for job seekers with disabilities.
“While we observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, Texas HireAbility is a year-round campaign focused on highlighting the contributions individuals with disabilities make to the Texas workforce,” said TWC Chairman and Commissioner Representing the Public Bryan Daniel. “We are proud to work closely with the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and Texas Workforce Solutions to ensure every Texan has the opportunity to put their abilities to work.”
In addition, TWC’s Summer Earn and Learn is one of two student programs that connects employers with youth and prepares students with disabilities for a successful transition to postsecondary education and employment. More than 2,770 students statewide gained work experience and training through Summer Earn and Learn this past summer, connecting with employers who included Six Flags Over Texas in Ft. Worth, the Houston Zoo, and Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Waco. The students learned about the employers’ industries and developed specialized skills and work experience. Some students were offered employment after the program. Summer Earn and Learn is a partnership between TWC and the 28 Texas Workforce Development Boards.
Another 228 students with disabilities participated in Explore STEM!, a TWC initiative designed to help students explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. TWC partnered with 10 universities, colleges and technical schools statewide to serve as hosts for Explore STEM! summer camps for the students, aged 14-22. Each camp was five to seven days with hands-on, interactive instruction on topics that included computational engineering, cybersecurity, biotechnology, manufacturing, forensic science, archeology, astronomy, plant biology and robotics.
“Programs like Summer Earn and Learn help future workers hone their skills with real-world experience and gain connections which may not have been available to them,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “We want to ensure that the Texas workforce is accessible for every individual.”
In addition to statewide hiring events to highlight National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities will host a webinar for Texas employers from 3:00p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on October 23, 2019 titled What’s Happening to the ADA now that it’s turning 29: EEOC Case Law specific to ADAAA TITLE I. Governor Greg Abbott also issued a proclamation for Disability Employment Awareness Month and a proclamation for 2019 White Cane Day in Texas to commemorate the month.
“National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a perfect time to reflect on the progress made while continuing to learn even more about inclusivity,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “I encourage employers to utilize the resources provided by the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and TWC to continue to strive for inclusion and accessibility.”
For a Texas HireAbility calendar of events, resources that employers can use to promote disability employment awareness, and information about National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit txhireability.texasworkforce.org.
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The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org. To receive notifications about TWC programs and services subscribe to our email updates.
