Texas Border Business
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Texas Association of Business (TAB) signed a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) with Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) to enhance workforce development and create opportunities for Texans with disabilities. The agreement, signed by TAB President and CEO Glenn Hamer and SOTX CEO Tim Martin, commits both organizations to working together to promote existing and create new sustainable and inclusive workforce opportunities for disabled Texans and TAB members.
“Texas has the best business climate in the world and we’re proud to further enhance workforce development partnerships with the inclusion of often overlooked members of our Texas communities,” Hamer said. “We thank Special Olympics Texas for their commitment to strengthening Texas’ world-class workforce.”
“Inclusion is an integral part of bringing our communities together to improve lives of Texans with disabilities, and we are proud to partner with TAB on this important initiative,” Martin said. “Special Olympics Texas is ready to get to work with TAB in an effort to cultivate the stronger workforce of tomorrow.”
TAB board officer and former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos, who also serves on the SOTX Board of Directors, issued the following statement on the importance of the partnership established through today’s MoU:
“It’s imperative that we find ways to proactively and intentionally create opportunities for Texans with disabilities to support our businesses, and vice versa. As a passionate advocate for this community, I am proud to see the business community working hand-in-hand with the incredible team at SOTX to further enrich our Texas workforce while enriching the lives of Texans with disabilities. This partnership will help Texas businesses unlock opportunities for community development and help our fellow Texans achieve lifelong, stable career paths to enrich prosperity for all.”
TAB and SOTX were joined by Texas Workforce Commissioner representing employers, Joseph Esparza, who issued the following statement:
“The Texas Workforce Commission strives to empower all Texans with the skills and resources they need to prosper,” Esparza said. “Hiring people with disabilities isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also good for business. I commend Special Olympics Texas and the Texas Association of Business for their partnership to create inclusive workforce opportunities for Texans.”
Additionally, public officials and community leaders including State Representative John Lujan – who presided over today’s signing ceremony – and Workforce Solutions Alamo CEO Adrian Lopez participated in today’s announcement, underscoring the importance of all stakeholders coming together to support employment opportunities for Texans with disabilities.
The MoU establishes a framework for TAB and SOTX to:
Collaborate on policies that support employment and accessibility for individuals with disabilities;
Promote the hiring and training of individuals with disabilities across various industries;
Enhance awareness regarding the capabilities and potential of individuals with disabilities in the workforce;
Foster connections between businesses, Special Olympics athletes, and the broader community; and
Support higher education programs that facilitate advanced learning for Texans with disabilities.
To read the full MoU signed by TAB and SOTX today, please click here.
