Texas Launched 11th Annual Disability Employment Campaign
Business owners can leverage TWC resources and hiring forums to tap into a skilled pool of candidates with disabilities.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Job Fairs
Live Poll
Do you believe local businesses in your area prioritize hiring people with disabilities?
The Texas Workforce Commission has officially kicked off its 11th annual Texas HireAbility campaign. This initiative aims to connect employers with skilled candidates and highlights the advantages of inclusive hiring practices across the state.
Why it matters
With more than 700,000 Texans with disabilities holding bachelor's degrees or higher, this campaign provides a structured pathway for businesses to address talent shortages. Engaging with these resources can improve workforce diversity while helping companies meet specific hiring goals.
The Texas Workforce Commission served 71,000 total participants last year, helping 10,000 Texans with disabilities reach their employment goals. The We Hire Ability program specifically recognizes firms that maintain a staff comprised of at least 10% employees with disabilities.
The players
Texas Workforce Commission
The state agency responsible for workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, and unemployment insurance oversight.
Greg Abbott
The Governor of Texas who oversees state labor policy and designated the month of awareness.
The details
The campaign uses vocational rehabilitation services to assist eligible individuals in preparing for the workforce and maintaining long-term employment. Businesses can participate in upcoming forums to learn how to integrate these services into their recruitment pipelines. The We Hire Ability recognition program provides a formal incentive for companies to track and report their disability-inclusive workforce percentages.
Timeline
October 2026 is designated as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Texas.
The Texas HireAbility Employer Forum will be held on October 21, 2026.
Market Landscape
The campaign aligns with the national emphasis on workforce accessibility established by the Americans with Disabilities Act. It builds on these federal standards by providing localized infrastructure to help businesses formalize inclusive hiring as a standard operating strategy.
Business owners should review their current recruitment practices to determine if they meet the 10% threshold required for the We Hire Ability recognition program. Integrating these hiring events into your quarterly talent strategy can open access to a large, underutilized pool of highly educated professionals.
The takeaway
Inclusive hiring is increasingly a core operational lever for addressing persistent talent shortages. Business owners should monitor the results of the October 21 forum to identify which local employment specialists align best with their specific industry hiring needs.
What happens next
The Texas HireAbility Employer Forum is scheduled to take place on October 21, 2026, at Collin College in McKinney.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming regional events, visit the Job Fairs section.
More information
To register for local forums or review eligibility criteria, find a Texas HireAbility hiring event on the commission's portal.
Live Poll
Do you believe local businesses in your area prioritize hiring people with disabilities?
