Andrea Flores Edinburg- The Disability Chamber of Commerce, DCC, RGV is training Valley businesses on the American with Disabilities Act to increase the number of people with disabilities in the workforce and protect them.
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness month, where organizations highlight the inclusion of all people with disabilities.
Freelance photographer Lorenzo Tijerina works on capturing the Valley’s history through his camera.
Tijerina has volunteered for the DCC for a few years and talked about his experience, working with a speech impairment.
“I know I talk too fast or that some people don’t really understand me,” he said. “But it’s fine to correct me like, ‘Take it slow. Take your time,’ Not only for myself but for others with a speech impairment, we need to take our time.”
Tijerina encourages businesses to reach out to the DCC for guidance.
Since 2018, the chamber has been providing local employers with resources to highlight the value of hiring people with disabilities.
Evelyn Cano, DCC co-founder and president, said its programming includes scholarship opportunities, self-advocacy leadership courses and networking events.
“So, providing accommodations and providing access from the day that they apply for the job, to when they’re in the process of getting hired,” Cano said. “And once they’re there are providing opportunities for them to grow, learn, and move up the ladder to leadership or supervisory positions, etc.”
The DCC will host a mixer event from 6 to 8 p.m. this March 5 in Mula Cantina, where entrepreneurs like Tijerina will share their work with local businesses.
