Shining a Spotlight on Inclusion: Lex Frieden Awards Now Accepting Nominations

The clock is ticking in Texas. Nominations are still open—but only for a few more days—for the 2025 Lex Frieden Employment Awards, presented by the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD). These awards honor individuals, businesses, and organizations across the state that go above and beyond to support people with disabilities in the workplace and in the community.

This year’s awards coincide with the 80th anniversary of Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM), making it the perfect time to highlight those who are helping make Texas a more inclusive place for everyone. Whether it’s a small business hiring individuals with disabilities, a nonprofit building accessible work environments, or a local entrepreneur with a disability making their mark, this is the moment to recognize their efforts.

If you know someone—or are someone—doing this important work, you’re encouraged to submit a nomination. The deadline is Thursday, July 31, 2025, and there’s no fee to apply. Self-nominations are welcome.

Award categories include Employer Awards (for small, medium, large, or nonprofit businesses), the Entrepreneurship Award (for a business owner with a disability), the Martha Arbuckle Award (for a local community project or committee), and the Governor’s Trophy—the highest honor, given to an individual who has spent their life advancing opportunities for Texans with disabilities.

All nomination forms and submission guidelines can be found on the GCPD website. For questions, the committee can be reached at [email protected] or (512) 463-5739.

The Lex Frieden Awards are named after one of the nation’s most influential disability rights leaders. Frieden, a key architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act, has dedicated his life to advocating for access and inclusion. His legacy lives on through these awards, which continue to shine a light on the people and places in Texas leading the way.

Since 1979, the Governor’s Committee has recognized the businesses and leaders who believe employment opportunities should be available to all Texans. These awards don’t just celebrate good intentions—they honor real results and the positive impact being made every day in communities across the state.

If you know someone making that kind of difference, don’t miss this chance to recognize them. Nominations close July 31, and it only takes a few minutes to help say thank you to the champions of inclusion in Texas.