The following has been reprinted from the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD), dated October 5, 2018:
The often used slogan for the Lone Star state’s approach to Commerce is that “Texas is wide open for business.” This openness and welcoming atmosphere has been a major part of the foundation for a strong economy. It is crucial that we ensure this sentiment applies not only to our business climate but to the hardworking men and women who make up the indomitable Texas workforce. An important part of this workforce is Texans with disabilities, who make invaluable contributions to Texas employers.
As part of our state’s recognition of Texas Disability Employment Awareness Month we are promoting the Texas Higher-Ability Campaign. Texas Higher-Ability is a partnership between the Texas workforce commission, the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD) and the Texas Workforce Solutions Network to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and highlight the contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce. The first step is recognizing the value individuals with disabilities add to the workforce and fostering a workplace culture that is welcoming of all.
We must ensure all Texans have an equal opportunity to contribute to the workforce that is the backbone of our great state’s robust economy. During October, let us dedicate ourselves to creating more inclusive workplaces and creating more employment opportunities for Texans with disabilities.
The Governor goes on to explain how this year’s Texas National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) poster can serve as a reminder throughout the year of the contributions made by Texans with disabilities make to the workforce and how it’s “intended to generate conversations in your organization about disability employment awareness.”
Yes, the month of October is recognized as the National Disability Employment Awareness Month. But it doesn’t end in October. Workforce Solutions and partners continue to celebrate and dedicate services to help provide a more inclusive workplace and create more employment opportunities for Texans with disabilities throughout the year.
Workforce Solutions celebrates the success of those with a disability who are employed and the massive impact they have had with improving a company’s economic and social bottom line. It has been proven that on average, people with disabilities work for companies longer than those without a disability and help to increase company moral. With this information, any business leader would be wise to increase their recruitment and hiring efforts to target the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Many companies, including Workforce Solutions, have a great number of people with disabilities within various levels of management who can tell you how advantageous it has been to promote inclusion. This is what we have been celebrating during the month of October.
And you as an individual, organization or group can do the same! If you would like additional information to get started (or continue), please visit the following websites:
You can also visit one of the Workforce Career Offices to see first-hand how inclusion and accessibility work together…all year long!
David Spears is a member of the Workforce Solutions Navigator team for the Texas Gulf Coast Region. Combining training and education to real world examples, David brings personal and professional experience with disabilities to the table in order to help job seekers with disabilities realize their potential. David has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration with over 20 years of experience in the business world.
Cornelius Booker is a senior member of the Regional Navigator team and a graduate of Oklahoma State University where he received his Bachelors in Marketing and later received his M.B.A with a focus on Business Marketing and Management. With his personal experience and passion for the disabled community, Cornelius’ insights are an invaluable asset to the Workforce Solutions organization.
blogforce.wrksolutions.com 