National Ad Campaign Promotes Hiring People with Disabilities
"Think Beyond the Label" encourages businesses to consider diversity in the workplace and awareness about benefits of hiring people with disabilities
On February 1, the organization Health & Disability Advocates, which is a partner of the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), launches a national ad campaign promoting the hiring of people with disabilities. The $4 million campaign appearing in print, on TV, billboards, and the Internet runs through 2010. The goal of the campaign is to change attitudes about hiring people with disabilities, raising awareness of the need for diversity in the workplace, and countering stereotypes about people with disabilities.
Employers in Texas can learn how their workplace can benefit from hiring this untapped labor pool by calling DARS at 1-800-628-5115. DARS provides employment services to businesses throughout the state and people with disabilities wishing to go to work. DARS Services for Businesses consist of:
- Providing applicants who are qualified for the employer's needs, saving time and money in recruitment costs;
- Evaluating applicants to improve job matches based on the employer's criteria, so every applicant we refer for employment is pre-screened;
- Follow up to ensure the employer's satisfaction and satisfaction of the new hire to establish a mutually beneficial relationship; and
- Helping applicants get ready to work for the employer with knowledge about the business and what can be expected of them.
DARS has partnered with employers (large and small) around the state to employ or retain more than 11,000 people. With our partnerships, we show business owners how they can benefit from an otherwise untapped labor pool of people who are loyal, ready, and enthusiastic to go to work. Businesses can also benefit from the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and other tax incentives by hiring people with disabilities.
DARS is a state agency whose mission is to ensure Texas is a state where people with disabilities and children who have developmental delays enjoy the same opportunities as other Texans to live independent and productive lives. For more information about services that DARS provides to Texas employers and people with disabilities, please call the DARS Inquiries Line at 1-800-628-5115 or visit www.dars.state.tx.us.
Contact: Paul Nixon (DARS) 512-377-0630
paul.nixon@dars.state.tx.us
