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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which recognizes the importance of a diverse and inclusive American workforce and celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities. Led by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy, the theme of this year’s NDEAM is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.”
Please join TCDD in celebrating NDEAM 2022! We’re sharing employment resources, events, and information throughout the month. Here are some ways to get started.
Lex Frieden Employment Awards Celebration
The Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will host the Lex Frieden Employment Awards and TWC HireAbility Forum on Thursday, Oct. 6. The event will take place both in person and online through Zoom.
Named in recognition of disability rights champion Lex Frieden, this annual event honors Texas employers who are leading the way in disability employment and recognizes local organizations and individuals for their service to Texans with disabilities. Community and industry leaders will speak about how disability hiring, equity, and inclusion can attract and retain a talented workforce.
In-Person Event Details
Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 6 | 10 AM to 2 PM
Location: Houston Community College West Loop Campus, Auditorium 101, 5601 West Loop S., Houston, TX 77081
Registration cost: $25
Registration deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 4
Online Event Details
Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 6 | 10 AM to 2 PM
Registration cost: Free
31 Days of NDEAM
The U.S. Department of Labor offers a daily activity for employers and employees to participate in NDEAM 2022 throughout October. The list includes toolkits and additional information for each activity. Suggestions range from simple, such as putting up a poster, to comprehensive, such as implementing a disability education program. Regardless of the activity, all efforts play an important part in fostering a more equitable and inclusive workforce, one where all people are recognized for their abilities — every day of every month. Here are a few ideas of how you can participate in NDEAM:
- Establish a disability employee resource group to offer employees ways to connect with each other and receive support from colleagues with similar interests.
- Educate about the history of the disability rights movement by providing an overview of milestones and resources to enhance awareness.
- Foster inclusive internship programs by ensuring internships are open to all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities.
- Proactively recruit workers with disabilities by advertising job openings in places where they are more likely to reach potential employees with disabilities, including state vocational rehabilitation agencies and independent living centers.
To find more resources and initiatives, visit the labor department’s NDEAM 2022 website.
Stay Connected
As the month continues, you can share how you’re celebrating NDEAM through social media and connect with others recognizing the contributions of workers with disabilities. Use the hashtag #NDEAM.
You can also follow TCDD for more resources and events by subscribing to our newsletter and connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
