Texas Workforce Commission is partnering with the Texas Governor’s Committee on People With Disabilities and the Texas Workforce Solutions network for a campaign called Texas HireAbility to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and to highlight the contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce.
The We Hire Ability program recognizes Texas employers for their commitment to hiring people with disabilities, and for their efforts to create an inclusive workforce.
Beginning in 2021, employers whose workforce includes individuals with disabilities in an integrated workplace, and in which they comprise at least 10 percent of the employer’s Texas-based workforce, are eligible to receive a We Hire Ability employer recognition decal to display on their storefront and a digital decal to display on their website.
For more information please contact us at WeHireAbility@twc.state.tx.us
Employer Resources
These TWC and partner resources can help support your organization’s disability inclusion activities and keep you informed of the latest updates and tools.
- Guide to Hiring People with Disabilities
- HireAbility Video - How Creating a Culture of Accessibility Positively Impacts Business
- How Creating a Culture of Accessibility Positively Impacts Business
- DisabilityIN Webinar (Video)
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - DOL
- Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) – DOL
- What Can You Do? The Campaign for Disability Employment
- The National Employment Team - Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Employing Abilities @ Work certificate (SHRM Foundation & Understood)
Calendar of Events
Join us at events, job fairs and celebrations, across the state.
- Texas HireAbility Events
- View the previous webinar series for the 30th Anniversary of the ADA
- Putting Texas Back to work Webinar Series (View the recorded four-part webinar series)
Campaign Resources
Use these resources to promote disability employment awareness activities.
Outreach Materials
Putting Abilities to Work
Check out our ongoing feature stories about how people with disabilities have put their talents to work in Texas and how employers are benefitting from the talent these dedicated individuals provide in the workplace. Check back for updates and to read new stories.
Employment Assistance for People with Disabilities
Learn more about how Texas Workforce Solutions- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VR) helps people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, retain or advance in employment.
Business Services
TWS-VR Business Services can provide free technical assistance to businesses to help them recruit, train, remove barriers and accommodate employees with disabilities to fill their open positions.
Texas HireAbility Events
| Hosts | Date/Time | Location | Event Name | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workforce Solutions North Texas/Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services | October 21, 2020 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Register as a parent for the noon seminar, or for your school to attend this free event. | Empowering Confidence Student Transition Fair - Transition Fair 2020 is a virtual event for juniors and seniors in high school with a disability or 504 plan. During this event, colleges, employers, and service providers will showcase options and support available after high school. | Brenda Roland, Student HireAbility Navigator or 940-767-1432 |
| Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area/VR Region 3 | October 22, 2020 - 1:00 PM | Zoom webinar registration | What is Neurodiversity? VR Services Neurodiversity Specialist, Jennifer Hines, will show employers how they can benefit by tapping into highly functional, exceptionally bright individuals on the Neurodiversity Spectrum. Special guests include employers who have pioneered empowering workers on the Spectrum, and who will share some of their best practices. | Robert Alexander |
| HireAbility Job Fair- Workforce Solutions Lower Rio | October 22, 2020 - 9:30 - 11:30 AM | Registraion | HireAbilty Job Fair - To raise awareness during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, employers and job seekers are invited to register for this inclusive job fair to learn how to diversify the workforce. | Student HireAbility Navigators |
| Greater Houston Disability Chamber of Commerce; Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services | October 22, 2020 - 8:30 -10:00 AM | Paid Work Experience, Work Wages-Work Quest, VR services through TWC - Work Experience services allow a customer to be placed at a business or agency within the community to learn skills for long-term, competitive, integrated employment. These entities are referred to as "Work Experience sites." Work Experience services are intended to be short term (12 or fewer weeks) and part-time and can take place in a volunteer, internship, or temporary short-term paid-work setting. Work Experience services are available for students or youth with disabilities and basic Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) customers and may be used to determine a customer’s eligibility for VR. | ||
| National Disability Institute | October 22, 2020 - 1:00-2:00 PM | Zoom webinar registration | Creating a Culture of Disability Inclusion and Equity - Join the Center for Disability-Inclusive Community Development (CDICD), managed by National Disability Institute (NDI), for a conversation with JP Morgan Chase to discuss creating a culture of disability inclusion and equity in banking, employment and community development. This webinar will include a panel discussion that highlights examples of building a more equitable and inclusive community for people with disabilities. It will also include highlights from NDI's recently published brief: Race, Ethnicity and Disability: The Financial Impact of Systemic Inequality and Intersectionality. Panelists: - Brian Lamb, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, JP Morgan Chase -Jim Sinocchi, Head of the Office of Disability Inclusion, JP Morgan Chase -Nikki Holsopple, Managing Director, CRA, JP Morgan Chase |
For other accommodation requests or questions about the webinar, please contact Michael Roush |
| Dallas College - El Centro College | October 21, 2020 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Microsoft Teams Meeting | Disability Awareness Day - This remote festival for students and staff will include interactive and fun activities to educate the college community about services available for people with disabilities. | Chorion Miller, disAbility Support Services, Ph: 214-860-2411 |
| Tarrant County College Job Fair - Student Disability Services | October 20, 2020 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Microsoft Teams Meeting | Learn how Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Services supports students with disabilities to meet their college and/or vocational goals to prepare for the workforce | Hosted by Student Accessibility Resources Northeast Campus, Contact Kimberly Eason for accommodations. 817-515-6647 |
| Cameron National Disability Awareness Virtual Forum | October 22, 2020 - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Registration | Cameron National Disability Awareness Virtual Forum | For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations please contact Lorissa Luna at 956-200-0022 |
| Presented by the Fort Worth Mayor's Committee on Persons with Disabilities | October 23, 2020 | https://fortworthtexas.webex.com/ fortworthtexas/onstage/g.php? MTID=ecd4a0307044cd25a50b7bb7e0ce2496c |
Disability Matters in the Work Place - Ms. Joyce Bender has built her career on over 30 years of executive search experience and has become an internationally recognized leader in disability employment. She also is the host of “Disability Matters with Joyce Bender,” a weekly internet talk radio show on voiceofamerica.com. | Alfred.Henderson@FortWorthTexas.gov |
| National Federation of the Blind Texas | October 24, 2020 | TBD | A Blind Date with the Community | nfbtx.org Anne Cozar |
| Workforce Solutions Capital Area/TWC VR | October 27, 2020 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | https://wfscapitalareacareerexpo. easyvirtualfair.com/ |
HireAbility Capital Region Job Fair This event connects employers with quality employees who add value to and enhance the workforce. https://wfscapitalareacareerexpo. easyvirtualfair.com/ |
info@wfscapitalarea.com |
| Disability:IN; Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs | October 29, 2020 - 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Register by October 27, 2020 | Disability:IN Webinar: Tina Williams, Policy Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), U.S. Department of Labor, will present on Section 503 compliance, the Amended CSAL List, Focused Reviews and answer federal contractor’s questions. | Disabilityin.org |
| Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area/VR Region 3 | October 29, 2020 - 1:00 PM | Zoom webinar registration | Understanding ADA and Reviewing Physical/Cognitive Disabilities in the Workplace - VR Services Experts, Jonathan Mize and Crystal Stark, will provide an overview of Americans with Disabilities Act for employers and accommodating physical and cognitive disabilities in the workplace. | Robert Alexander |
News
- October 19, 2020 - Texas HireAbility Events Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Connect Career Seekers with Disabilities and Employers
- 05 de Octubre de 2017 - La Campana de Texas HireAbility Aumenta la Percatacion de los Beneficios de Contratar a Personsas con Discapacidades
- Mayor Turner Declares October 15 “White Cane Safety Day” - Houstonia
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