Join Our NDEAM Employer Webinar: Unlocking Talent and Building Inclusive Workplaces
In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) invites employers, HR professionals, and community partners to a special online webinar on Tuesday, October 28, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM CDT: “Unlocking Talent: Employer Resources for Inclusive Hiring.”
This one-hour session, presented by Arthur Jones, Business Relations Coordinator with Texas Workforce Solutions–Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR), celebrates the 80th anniversary of NDEAM and the 2025 theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent.”
Every October, NDEAM shines a spotlight on the vital contributions of workers with disabilities and honors the employers who create pathways for inclusion. This year’s celebration encourages business leaders to look beyond labels and recognize that ability, determination, and innovation come in many forms.
This interactive discussion will help employers explore how inclusive hiring strengthens teams, drives innovation, and opens new avenues for success. It’s not just about meeting compliance requirements; it’s about embracing practices that reflect the full potential of the workforce. When organizations focus on ability, not disability, they discover the power of diversity as a driver of growth, loyalty, and performance.
What to Expect
- NDEAM Context & Celebration: Learn how NDEAM began and why, eight decades later, it continues to highlight the value that workers with disabilities bring to every sector of the economy.
- Employer Partnerships: Arthur Jones will outline how Vocational Rehabilitation Services partners with businesses across Texas to recruit, hire, and retain employees with disabilities. Through customized services such as job matching, worksite assessments, and assistive technology recommendations, VR helps employers create accessible environments where everyone can succeed.
- Business Benefits: Inclusive hiring isn’t just about compliance; it’s a growth strategy. Companies that embrace disability inclusion gain access to new talent, innovation, and customer connections that strengthen both their workforce and their bottom line.
- Interactive Q&A: Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with Arthur Jones and explore real-world solutions to hiring challenges, workplace adjustments, and partnership opportunities with VR.
Why Inclusive Hiring Benefits Organizations
Access to a Vast and Motivated Talent Pool
Across the nation, more than 10 million working-age Americans with disabilities are ready to contribute their skills and perspectives. Yet they remain underrepresented in the labor market. Inclusive employers gain a competitive advantage by tapping into this often-overlooked talent pool. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, roughly one in four adults in the U.S. has a disability—meaning inclusion is not niche; it’s essential to building a representative workforce.
Measurable Business Results
Research from Accenture shows that companies with strong disability-inclusion practices are twice as likely to outperform peers in total shareholder returns. Businesses that improve their inclusion efforts outperform peers by 53 percent in overall performance. In addition, organizations report that employees with disabilities often demonstrate greater loyalty and reliability, reducing turnover and training costs.
Enhanced Team Innovation and Engagement
Inclusive teams bring broader perspectives and stronger problem-solving. Employees with disabilities often develop adaptive thinking and creative approaches that benefit the entire organization. The National Organization on Disability’s 2024 Employment Tracker found that companies maintaining multi-year commitments to inclusion attract more applicants with disabilities and promote more leaders with disabilities, building a culture of engagement and respect.
Cost-Effective Accommodations
Many accommodations cost little to nothing. The Job Accommodation Network reports that nearly 60 percent of workplace accommodations have no cost at all, and most others average less than $500. Combined with available tax incentives and VR partnership resources, inclusive hiring becomes both affordable and sustainable.
Future-Ready Workplaces
As technology advances and the workforce ages, more employees will experience disability at some point in their careers. Organizations that already foster accessibility are better prepared for this shift. Inclusive workplaces strengthen culture, improve morale, and attract top talent across all demographics.
Inclusive Hiring: Ability Is What Matters
When businesses focus on what people can do rather than what they can’t, they unlock potential that drives growth, innovation, and community impact. Inclusive hiring is not just about representation—it’s about recognizing that diverse abilities strengthen teams and move organizations forward.
Join the Conversation
This webinar is designed for business owners, HR professionals, and workforce partners who want to:
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Expand their talent pipelines
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Enhance workplace accessibility
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Build inclusive teams that reflect the communities they serve
By attending, you’ll gain practical tools and direct access to resources from WSRCA and Texas Workforce Solutions–Vocational Rehabilitation Services that make inclusion achievable for every business—regardless of size or industry.
Register today: https://bit.ly/wsrca2025ndeam
Together, let’s celebrate value, talent, and the power of inclusive hiring during NDEAM 2025.
