National Disability Employment Awareness Month -
Poster and Activities
Each Fall since 1999, the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities produces a poster celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October. Artwork for the poster is selected by a submission and judging process and is open to any Texas artist with a disability. For information on the submission process, which occurs January to mid-March each year, download the Submission Guidelines and Entry Form or contact our office at . If you encounter any problems opening either of these files, get the free Acrobat Reader.
The colorful and beautiful 18 x 24 inch posters are displayed in businesses, government offices, schools and colleges across the State. Apple Specialty Advertising donates the design and layout for the NDEAM posters. “We believe the posters provide a worthwhile avenue for highlighting talented individuals with disabilities,” said Jane Thomas, a partner in the company. Thomas uses a wheelchair and is a breast cancer survivor. The Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities would like to thank the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Media Department for graciously printing 2,500 posters each year for distribution throughout the state of Texas.
In addition to displaying artwork in venues around the State, the posters are displayed alongside the original artwork at the office of the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, located at 1100 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, Texas. Beginning September 1 each year, we accept orders for free posters for offices and businesses, as well as for October NDEAM celebrations throughout the state. Please email us or phone our office at 512-463-5739 or your relay provider of choice.
Download and print an NDEAM Poster Brochure (PDF)
Download and print NDEAM Poster Brochure information in Word format
NDEAM Poster Brochures in large print are also available upon request.
The Texas NDEAM Posters are distributed each fall FREE of charge to be displayed in various venues to promote the hiring and inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. To order one or more posters, please contact us at or 512-463-5739. Supplies are limited.
2012 NDEAM Poster - In the Pink by Beverly Fuqua
Description of Poster:
The 2012 NDEAM theme, "A Strong Workforce Is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?", is in dark green and pink lettering along the top of the poster. At the bottom of the poster, the text says National Disability Employment Awareness Month, October 2012.
Below the title is the featured colored pencil drawing of five pink flamingos standing in shallow water near the edge of a pond, with trees and grass along the shore. The flamingos are in various positions, some looking up, some with their heads down near the water.
To the side of the artwork is a small photo of the artist, Beverly Fuqua, with her service dog Otis, a black Labrador. The Artist's Statement is above the photo:
Beverly Fuqua hopes to continue creating and teaching art until she can no longer hold a pencil, pastel or brush.
Ms. Fuqua has a rare genetic disorder, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which led to her having to use a wheelchair by the late 1990s. Still, she looked upon this as a blessing from God - a development in her life that would allow her more opportunity to focus on her art. She made time to use her talent to teach fine art to children with disabilities, helping them to build self-esteem and confidence through their own artwork. She continues to teach summer workshops, to help raise funds for service animals, and to raise public awareness of mobility issues, accessible parking, and, with her partner Otis, make people aware of the role of service animals in providing independence, safety and confidence in their partners.
Ms. Fuqua has a particular passion for painting animals and sees deeply metaphorical messages in their poses. This image, which won the 2012 NDEAM Poster Art Competition, is titled In the Pink and features five pink flamingos wading in shallow water with a forest in the background. Flamingos, she says, tend to always flock together. "Apart, each can be vulnerable, but as a flock, each becomes safer and stronger. By working together, they are all safer."
The background of the poster is white with dark green and pink lettering. Total poster size is 18 inches by 24 inches.
Three poster credits are included: The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities, Apple Specialty Advertising, and the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. Logos and website addresses are included.
View or print the poster as an Adobe PDF here.
Download the latest version of Adobe reader here.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation
2012
View or Print the NDEAM Proclamation as an Adobe PDF.
View or Print the NDEAM Proclamation as a Word document.
Download the latest version of Adobe reader here.
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).
Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
1100 San Jacinto Suite 1.200
PO Box 12428
Austin TX 78711
512-463-5739