Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area and Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services Unite for 5th Annual NDEAM Webinars
Sep 28, 2023
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
CEDAR PARK, Texas ⎯ Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) and Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) are teaming up for the fifth consecutive year to commemorate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) this October. They will be conducting free weekly webinars focusing on workforce disability inclusion for the community.
These NDEAM webinars will be featured on WSRCA’s social media accounts every Tuesday at noon throughout October. The goal is to empower Central Texans with disabilities to explore employment opportunities within their communities. Furthermore, the webinars will provide employers with essential accommodation information and tools needed for hiring, retaining, and promoting individuals with disabilities.
This year marks the 78th observance of NDEAM across the United States, concurrently honoring the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has selected “Advancing Access and Equity” as the theme for NDEAM in 2023. Celebrated annually in October, NDEAM not only pays tribute to the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities, past and present, but also highlights supportive and inclusive policies and practices that benefit both employees and employers.
Aligned with this year’s theme, WSRCA and VR will be involved in various activities and outreach efforts to inform Central Texans about disability employment issues and emphasize our region’s dedication to an inclusive work environment. The 2023 webinar series will cover topics ranging from eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation Services and accommodations for Diabetes in the workplace to the advantage of hiring veterans with disabilities and empowering youth with disabilities through work experience. There will also be employer spotlights to showcase innovative local approaches to workplace accommodations, empowerment, and inclusion.
“Through our annual NDEAM webinars, WSRCA and VR Services are proud to champion ‘Advancing Access and Equity’ in 2023,” said Paul Fletcher, WSRCA Chief Executive Officer. “This marks our fifth consecutive year joining forces to empower Central Texans with disabilities and provide employers with the necessary tools for creating inclusive work environments. Together, we pay homage to the enduring legacy of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of workers with disabilities. We invite you to join us not only in October but throughout the year, as we embark on a collective journey towards a more inclusive and empowered workforce community. This initiative signifies a pivotal step towards fostering a workplace culture across our region that embraces diversity and empowers every individual to thrive.”
“National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) holds immense value for Central Texans with disabilities and employers committed to fostering inclusive workplaces,” said Leslie Abbott, Vocational Rehabilitation Manager for the Rural Capital Area. “It’s a powerful platform that brings together our community to recognize, celebrate, and empower individuals with disabilities in their pursuit of meaningful employment. Through education, awareness, and practical solutions, we pave the way for a more inclusive workforce, where every individual’s unique abilities are not only acknowledged but also embraced. NDEAM is a testament to the strength of unity in creating opportunities for all.”
Employers and employees from all industries can find out more about VR Services, along with Federal Requirements and Financial Incentives Assistance, by visiting https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/vocational-rehabilitation-services.
###
About Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services:
Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services supports people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, maintain and advance in meaningful employment by providing a range of services based on an individual’s employment goals. Our Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors work closely with job seekers to determine an employment goal, and then identify and arrange for the high-quality services that lead to successful employment. VR Counselors work in tandem with VR Business Relations teams who outreach to employers seeking qualified job seekers with disabilities to help fill their open positions. The VR Program is an integral part of the state’s comprehensive workforce development system and services are delivered in collaboration with Local Workforce Development Boards, ISDs, colleges, community rehabilitation providers and numerous other partners.
About Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area:
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) develops talent for employers by coaching Texans to employment. WSRCA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community partnership providing comprehensive no-cost recruitment, employment services, and early-learning child care tuition scholarships to empower employers and job seekers in the Rural Capital Area of Central Texas. This nine-county region includes Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, and Williamson counties. WSRCA helps employers find quality candidates by providing services that include candidate referrals, customized job training programs, job listings, job fair assistance, labor market information, testing and assessment, outplacement services, and layoff aversion strategies. WSRCA guides job seekers to find and retain employment by providing services that include job referrals, job application assistance, job readiness and job search workshops, career exploration, child care assistance, unemployment insurance information, and GED assistance.
