America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion! Register to Participate in Free National Disability Employment Awareness Month Webinars
Workplaces welcoming of the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, are a critical part of our efforts to build an inclusive Central Texas community and a strong local economy.
In this spirit, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) and our partners at Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR), are recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October, to raise awareness about disability employment issues and to celebrate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities.
Activities during the month will include free local webinars each week, to reinforce the value and talent people with disabilities add to our workplaces and communities, and affirm Rural Capital Area's commitment to an inclusive community.
See the webinar schedule below and register to attend the Zoom sessions:
Week 1: Guidance on Long-COVID as a Disability
Did you know that Long-COVID, that is COVID 19 with prolonged symptoms, is considered a disability under the ADA? This webinar identifies what Long-COVID is and focuses on what challenges employers and employees may face in the workforce. We also address COVID in general and how it has impacted disabled persons.
Week 2: Bottom-Line Benefits of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
This presentation will provide basic knowledge of Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) and how its teams can support you as the employer. Once completed, you will have a better understanding of VR’s youth and adult services, types of assistive technology and accommodation, and well as disability awareness training which is provided to employers as they work with our teams to explore recruiting and retention solutions. Host: Arthur Jones, Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services Business Relations Coordinator, Region 3.
Week 3: Assistive Technologies
Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) Counselor Robyn Farris, a Physical Disabilities, Vehicle Modifications & Assistive Technology Subject Matter Expert, and Antoinette Verdone, a Rehabilitative Engineer, and Founder/Lead Consultant of ImproveAbility, will host a discussion and demonstration of assistive technologies and the role they play in helping disabled persons in the workforce.
Week 4: Summer Earn & Learn (SEAL)
Summer Earn & Learn (SEAL) is a statewide initiative to offer Texas students with disabilities, aged 14-22, work readiness training and paid work experience. In week 4 of our National Disability Employment Awareness Month Webinar Series, you'll hear directly from SEAL students and employers about their first work experience partnership and what it has meant to them. The webinar session is hosted by Ryan Tatum, SEAL Specialist and Performance Analyst, with Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area.
Ready to hire talented Texans of all abilities to boost your business or operations? Contact our Business Services Team: businessservices@ruralcapital.net
