Disability Employment Awareness Month Poster
Each October, Texas celebrates Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) with job fairs, public awareness events, and a statewide #HireAbility campaign to promote employment opportunities for Texans with disabilities. As part of the public awareness campaign, GCPD partners with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to distribute free DEAM posters to thousands of Texas employers and businesses to educate them on the talents and abilities of workers with disabilities, while sharing valuable employer resources through the HireAbility website.
The posters are intended to spark conversations on the employment of people with disabilities in businesses and organizations across our great state. The posters feature original work from an outstanding Texas artist, a picture of the artist, a personal statement about the artwork, and the national DEAM theme. The 2024 theme is “Access to Good Jobs for All”.
Read below for information on how to enter future poster art competitions.
2024 DEAM Poster
Helping Hand by kidhamm
Hello, my name is Mr. Amadeus, and I go by the artist name, “kidhamm.” I am visually impaired, living with ocular albinism and nystagmus. These conditions have shaped my perspective and, in many ways, have fueled my passion for art. Drawing and painting have been constants in my life for as long as I can remember. That said, credit is due for production artistry and assistance provided by Jamie H., Jamie F., and Lachelle S. With the support of my Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Texas Workforce Solutions - Vocational Rehabilitation, I am pursuing a career in fine arts.
The piece I am presenting, titled “Helping Hand” is particularly meaningful to me. In the painting, a girl in a wheelchair receives instructions from her employer on her first day at work. The garden setting is not arbitrary; it serves a specific purpose. People with disabilities pursue careers in a variety of fields, driven by diverse interests and aspirations. This piece is a visual testament to the idea that inclusivity should span all areas of employment.
The garden represents the nurturing of dreams—concepts that resonate with all people as they navigate their professional journeys. The softness of watercolor brings a certain warmth and life to the scene, emphasizing the care involved in the act of giving and receiving help.
Deliberately, it was important that the girl in the wheelchair was not just a passive recipient of assistance; she is an active participant in her own professional journey. The employer's instruction symbolizes guidance and support, crucial elements in creating a workplace where everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can thrive.
This piece aims to inspire viewers to recognize and appreciate the potential within every individual. This piece is an invitation to viewers to see beyond disabilities and recognize the unique talents and aspirations that each person brings to the table.
To order a poster, please contact us and provide a U.S.P.S. mailing address. Posters are available free of charge while supplies last.
How to Apply
Original 2D art (including but not limited to paintings or drawings), and 3D art (including but not limited to sculpture or pottery) in all media are eligible. The Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities will have the final authority as to what constitutes an acceptable entry. GCPD is committed to providing opportunities to as many Texas artists as possible; as such, a previous NDEAM Poster Art winner will not be eligible for competition until five years have passed since their last win. Simply download the entry form for more information on eligibility and how to apply!
Now accepting submissions for 2024! Deadline is June 30, 2024.
As part of our state’s recognition of Texas Disability Employment Awareness Month, the GCPD promotes the Texas HireAbility Campaign. Texas HireAbility is a partnership between the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and the statewide Workforce Solutions network. HireAbility hopes to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and highlight the contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce. Each poster includes the twitter hashtag (#TXHireAbility). Resources to promote disability employment awareness activities can be found at www.twc.texas.gov/texashireability.
What Can YOU Do to Advance the Employment of People with Disabilities?
In support of the What Can YOU Do? outreach effort, the Campaign for Disability Employment is pleased to present the following video tools. Help us spread the word about the value and talent that people with disabilities bring to the workplace by sharing these videos and playing the Campaign for Disability Employment’s “I Can” public service announcement (PSA).