#WeSupportPeople

The Greater Houston Disability Chamber of Commerce (“GHDCC”) was founded to address employment disparities among people with disabilities who seek gainful employment. While we specifically focus our efforts on five counties in the Greater Houston area, we recognize that these disparities are a nation-wide challenge. At the heart of our efforts is the full inclusion  of people with disabilities. However, we understand that merely preparing job seekers with disabilities for gainful employment is not enough to ensure that they are included. To that end, we’re committed to supporting businesses with an interest in providing career and employment opportunities for Houstonians with disabilities. We recognize, and celebrate, our interconnectedness. When we all work, we all win.

As disability advocates, we strive for improvement in the lives of people with disabilities.  We see the separation and the segregation that often affect them, and we strive to eliminate those.  We wholly identify and understand the need for progress and for meaningful change. We also recognize that people with disabilities are not the only individuals marginalized in our society. 

While our logo was developed for our stated purpose, like our mission of inclusion, it is a symbol for all people in society.  Our logo is a bridge. The design of our bridge represents transition and change.  It signifies progress and forward motion.  These elements are ones that, as advocates, we always strive to promote. The bridge further symbolizes the joining and connecting of people. As disability advocates, we build bridges that not only create inclusive environments, but that help to sustain them as well. However, our bridge has room for everyone. 

At the GHDCC we support people. We support those who are marginalized by society. We support those who are oppressed, who are denied equal access, and who are targets of discrimination, violence, and disenfranchisement. 

We support people. We are about inclusion. We decry oppression. We will not participate in systemic racism. We will not accept violence and sexual violence. We denounce discrimiation. We do not condone brutality. We refuse segregation. We accept differences. We celebrate diversity.  We speak against injustice. We fight for equality. We recognise the value of each individual. We believe in liberty and justice for all. 

Specifically in regards to the currents events:

We support people. The GHDCC believes that Black Lives Do Matter. We denounce police brutality and systemic racism. We stand with the families affected by racism who have lost family and friends to police brutality. We stand with Black Americans who have been brutalized and the recipients of discrimination. We demand safety, and basic human rights,  for Black Americans.  We stand with socially-minded citizens to promote equality for all, specifically, Black Americans. We support meaningful changes that ensure that Black Americans have the same freedoms as other Americans. We refuse to accept the status quo. No freedom until we are all free.