'You're not alone': Houston event geared for people with dis...

'You're not alone': Houston event geared for people with disabilities aims to open doors

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- If you have a disability, there are ways to break into the job market you may not know about. For nearly 20 years, the Houston White Cane Safety Day has given people with disabilities a way to connect. During Monday's event, hundreds of participants learned about jobs and resources from various organizations, and tables were filled with folks who know what they're going through. "I had a car accident in 1993 that left me totally blind," Ron Graham explained. It was a life-changing event that Graham says left him feeling alone. "I felt like the Lone Ranger trying to find resources and information, and I promised myself it would not be this hard for others," Graham recalled. More than 20 years later, Graham has done just that. He formed the Houston Area Visually Impaired Network, which connects people with resources and organizations across the city. "You're not alone," Graham explained. "There are others out there. There are resources and information. Get in touch." Resources were on display at the University of Houston on Monday, and people with disabilities connected with organizations. But they also had doors open for them with employment. Workforce Solutions has a vocational rehabilitation program that helps people with disabilities. Each month, Eyewitness News partners with the organization for the ABC13 Who's Hiring job fair. This month, ABC13 wanted to highlight the assistance to help people with disabilities. "They get that first check, and their eyes just light up. They have gotten the fever of going to work and that independence," Texas Workforce Commission rehabilitation services regional director Susan Lindsey said. "That fever of accomplishment." The program works with teens looking for their first job and older Texans with disabilities. It's not just about job seekers. The program also recruits employers. Right now, federal data shows there are some industries where persons with disabilities outpace the average worker. Those industries include sales and offices, service, production, and transportation. "A person with disabilities provides a unique set of skills and experiences to be able to empower local economies and businesses as well," Workforce Solutions executive director Juliet Stipeche said. It's a difference Graham didn't realize at first. Years later, he attends events like this to let others know how they can make a difference. "If you had told me then that I'd still be blind today and tell me my life is blessed, I'd said you were crazy, but it is," Graham said. "It's blessed." For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- If you have a disability, there are ways to break into the job market you may not know about.

For nearly 20 years, the Houston White Cane Safety Day has given people with disabilities a way to connect.

During Monday's event, hundreds of participants learned about jobs and resources from various organizations, and tables were filled with folks who know what they're going through.

"I had a car accident in 1993 that left me totally blind," Ron Graham explained.

It was a life-changing event that Graham says left him feeling alone.

"I felt like the Lone Ranger trying to find resources and information, and I promised myself it would not be this hard for others," Graham recalled.

More than 20 years later, Graham has done just that. He formed the Houston Area Visually Impaired Network, which connects people with resources and organizations across the city.

"You're not alone," Graham explained. "There are others out there. There are resources and information. Get in touch."

Resources were on display at the University of Houston on Monday, and people with disabilities connected with organizations.

But they also had doors open for them with employment. Workforce Solutions has a vocational rehabilitation program that helps people with disabilities.

Each month, Eyewitness News partners with the organization for the ABC13 Who's Hiring job fair.

This month, ABC13 wanted to highlight the assistance to help people with disabilities.

"They get that first check, and their eyes just light up. They have gotten the fever of going to work and that independence," Texas Workforce Commission rehabilitation services regional director Susan Lindsey said. "That fever of accomplishment."

The program works with teens looking for their first job and older Texans with disabilities. It's not just about job seekers.

The program also recruits employers. Right now, federal data shows there are some industries where persons with disabilities outpace the average worker. Those industries include sales and offices, service, production, and transportation.

"A person with disabilities provides a unique set of skills and experiences to be able to empower local economies and businesses as well," Workforce Solutions executive director Juliet Stipeche said.

It's a difference Graham didn't realize at first. Years later, he attends events like this to let others know how they can make a difference.

"If you had told me then that I'd still be blind today and tell me my life is blessed, I'd said you were crazy, but it is," Graham said. "It's blessed."

For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram.