National Disability Employment Awareness MonthWORKS FOR ME INITIATIVE
What: Works For Me
OMRDD will honor selected businesses across New YorkState which have demonstrated that employing individuals with developmental disabilities is great for business – and that these workers are valued members of our state’s vibrant workforce.
Background to the Event:
OMRDD will demonstrate to the business community and other honored guests that there is a significant economic benefit that workers with disabilities can bring into the workforce. The attributes that workers bring to a business - dependability, motivation and enthusiasm – is a vital message that we hope to spread at this event, and in so doing, contribute to the workforce needs of the NYS employers.
In addition, we will demonstrate the diversity of talents that people with developmental disabilities have shown through their employment in a wide range of businesses sectors.
The Role of the DDSO:
We are asking for your assistance in coordinating this effort by soliciting the nominations of employers in your regions. Please distribute the attached nomination forms to the supported employment and enhanced supported employment provider agencies, Self-Advocacy Associations (SANYS), Parent-to-Parent and any other individuals or organization in your districts that might be interested. We seek nominations that demonstrate that employees with developmental disabilities meet the workforce needs of the employer and contribute to the vitality of each business. We are looking for stories that demonstrate the power of work in a person’s life. We would like to receive nominations written from the viewpoint of the employee with a developmental disability.
Timeline for Nominations:
• DDSO will distribute the call for nominations to supported employment and enhanced supported employment providers and other individuals and organizations by July 1, 2010.
• Supported employment and enhanced supported employment providers and other individuals and organizations will submit nominations electronically, via e-mail to the DDSOs by July 23, 2010.
• Each DDSO must review every nomination to ensure that the business nominated employs a person who meets OMRDD’s eligibility criteria.
• Each DDSO will develop a review team to go through each of the nominations and will select up to one business from each of the five categories (identified in the nomination instructions) by August 3, 2010.
• Each DDSO will send all of the nominations that were reviewed and identify the winner in each of the five categories. Submissions should be sent to Central Office, in care of Nicole Suto, by NO LATER THAN August 6, 2009.
• At OMRDD Central Office, The Center for Employment Excellence will arrange for a team of stakeholders to select the five businesses from all those nominated that will be honored at this event.
For More Information Contact:
Joanne Bushart
Workforce and Talent Management, 518-473-1190
Nicole Weinstein
Public Information: 518-474-6601
Demonstrating the Power of Work in Every Day Life
Works for Me is our way to demonstrate how employees with developmental disabilities contribute to a wide spectrum of business organizations in New York State.
2009 Works for Me Winners
Small Business:
Cornell’s Dry Cleaning, in Massena,is a family-owned and operated business whereGary Davis has been employed for more than 11 years. Owner Kenny Cornell says Mr. Davis is dependable, trustworthy and an asset to the company. He works in every department in the business.
Nominated by BOCES Transition Services/Massena Region - Sunmount DDSO.
Medium Business:
Edison Price Lighting, in Long Island City, where Rayquan Winchester is employed, designs and manufactures energy-efficient lighting fixtures. Mr. Winchester’s supervisor considers him a “natural” with this type of manufacturing. He is extremely efficient, and brings his warm and caring personality to the job.
Nominated by Job Path, Inc. - Bernard Fineson DDSO
Large Business:
Davis Vision, Inc., in Latham, is one of the nation’s premiere managed vision care companies. Davis Vision hired Mr. Shawn Finn to assure that checks received were matched properly with statements and envelopes. Supervisor Bill Cushing praises Mr. Finn’s work: “Shawn’s consistency and dependable attendance have decreased the number of mismatched envelopes, thereby improving customer service.”
Nominated by the Employment Training Program (ETP) - Capital District DDSO.
Corporate Partner:
Sodexo, Inc., in Otsego County, is a leading provider of integrated food and facilities management services in North America. Sodexo recognized Mr. Richard Simon’s potential and ability to contribute to their business model through his positive work ethic. Mr. Simon has been afforded the opportunity to learn a variety of tasks that increase his value as an employee, and may allow him to advance within the company.
Nominated by Otsego County Chapter NYSARC, Inc. - Broome DDSO
Employment First Award:
At Fort Stanwix National Monument, supervisor Michael Kusch was impressed with Tina Cutler’s warm smile - as well as the fact that she knew American Sign Language – and hired her as a Visitor Use Assistant. Fort Stanwix has given Ms. Cutler a chance to develop skills that others did not see in her. Because of this, she has gained the confidence to transform her personal life as well.
Nominated by Job Connections - Central NY DDSO.