Sign-up for 
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Committee do?
- serves as a central source of information and education on the abilities, rights, problems, and needs of persons with disabilities.
- provides information and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on matters relating to the full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.
- develops a long-range state plan for persons with disabilities and recommendations to implement that plan, along with any recommended changes in state laws relating to persons with disabilities.
- serves as the state's liaison agency in working with the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the Department of Labor (formerly the President's Committee on Employment of Persons with Disabilities) and other entities involved in activities or concerns affecting persons with disabilities.
- develops and works with a statewide network of volunteer community-level committees to promote dissemination of information about and implementation of federal and state laws addressing rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities.
- evaluates the state's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal and state statutes relating to rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities.
- provides information and technical assistance to public and private agencies and businesses to promote and facilitate implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal and state statutes relating to rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities.
- collects and evaluates data on employment of persons with disabilities by state agencies.
- works with legislative committees and with state agencies on the development of laws and policies that affect persons with disabilities.
- promotes the compilation and publication of state laws relating to persons with disabilities.
- issues awards and other forms of recognition to persons and organizations making outstanding contributions to the employment of persons with disabilities and to public awareness of issues impacting persons with disabilities.
See the law creating the Governor's Committee.
Who are the members of the Governor's Committee?
The Committee is composed of twelve members, at least seven of which must be persons with disabilities. Officials from the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing serve as ex-officio members, and a representative from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation serves as an advisory member.
How are members of the Governor's Committee appointed?
Members of the Governor's Committee are appointed by the Governor for staggered terms of two years, with half the members' terms expiring each year. For more information contact the Governor's appointments office at 512-463-2000.
What direct services does the Governor's Committee provide to people with disabilities?
The Governor's Committee does not provide direct services for Texans with disabilities. The Committee does provide information and referral services about programs offered by other agencies or disability organizations.
When was the Committee created?
The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities was established in 1949 by Governor Allan Shivers as the Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. From the beginning, the Governor's Committee operated with minimal staff support for the purpose of promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. In 1983, it was recreated by executive order as the Texas Governor's Committee for Disabled Persons and continued to focus on promoting the employment and public awareness of persons with disabilities. In 1991 the Committee was created by law, placed in the Office of the Governor, and given its current name and expanded duties.