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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2018
For More Information Contact:

JP O'Hare

(518) 474-1201

Press@nysed.gov

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State Education Department Recognizes Employers of Individuals with Disabilities

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

This month, the 鶹 will celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual campaign to educate the public about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of workers with disabilities. The Department’s (ACCES), with the help of several partner organizations, will host several events across the state to recognize businesses that do an outstanding job of employing individuals with disabilities. This year's NDEAM theme is "America’s Workforce: Empowering All."

“We are proud to recognize businesses that are doing the right thing for their communities and their customers by employing qualified, capable and hard-working men and women,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “These businesses not only help persons with disabilities live independently, their partnership creates a substantial effect on their life activitiesthat enriches their communities.”

"New Yorkers of all abilities should have access to employment and career opportunities,” said State Education Department Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. "Savvy employers know that including different perspectives in the workplace leads to better business outcomes. Hiring employees with diverse abilities strengthens their business, increases competition and drives innovation. That’s something we should always celebrate."

“ACCES-VR is proud to be a part of spreading the message that, when given the opportunity, individuals with disabilities make great employees,” said Deputy Commissioner Kevin Smith. “It’s a fitting time to educate about disability employment issues and the work we do year-round to help workers with disabilities achieve employment and independence.”

This year, ACCES-VR will to celebrate and honor those businesses and workers that reflect the ideals of ACCES-VR’s mission to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living through training, education, rehabilitation and career development.

The will emphasize local businesses that have provided employment opportunities that enable workers with disabilities to contribute to their communities, earn a living wage and have meaningful careers.

ACCES-VR’s 2018 NDEAM honorees receiving statewide recognition include:

Business Location Business Size

Del Lago Resort & Casino

Waterloo, NY

500 or More Employees

Hitemco, LLC

Old Bethpage, NY

100-499 Employees

Mavis Discount Tire

Millwood, NY

25-99 Employees

At Your Service New York, Inc.

Nyack, NY

24 or Fewer Employees

Up in Smoke

Rochester, NY

Entrepreneur

Labelle Luxe Salon

Buffalo, NY

Entrepreneur

ACCES-VR’s 2018 NDEAM honorees receiving regional recognition include:

ACCES-VR Region Business Location

Capital Region/Hudson Valley

Achieve Rehab and Nursing Facility

Liberty, NY

Capital Region/Hudson Valley

Deising’s Bakery, Restaurant & Catering

Kingston, NY

Capital Region/Hudson Valley

Mt. Alverno

Warwick, NY

Capital Region/Hudson Valley

Price Chopper

New Windsor, NY

Central NY

Burger King

Utica, NY

Central NY

Griffin's Shotz Club LLC

Utica, NY

Central NY

McDonalds

Rome, NY

Central NY

WalMart

Herkimer, NY

Northern NY

Discovery Charter School

Rochester, NY

Northern NY

First Choice Building Services

Rochester, NY

Northern NY

Holbrook Heating

Canandaigua, NY

Northern NY

Monroe County

Rochester, NY

Northern NY

Rochester Regional Health

Rochester, NY

Southern Tier

Bethany Manor

Horseheads, NY

Southern Tier

Johnson City Police Dept.

Johnson City, NY

Southern Tier

Sodexo

Binghamton, NY

Southern Tier

Thompson and Johnson

Horseheads, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

Ai Cure LLC

New York, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Cold Spring Harbor, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

Dayton T. Brown, Inc.

Bohemia, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

Friedwald Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing

New City, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

Greenfield’s Shop Rite

Commack, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

Guide Dog Foundation

Smithtown, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

Harbor Child Care

New Hyde Park, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

Lenna’s Lanes dba New City Bowl and Batting Cages

New City, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

MichPat And Family, LLC dba Dairy Queen

Medford, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

Pet Smart

Nesconsett, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

Stony Point Conference Center

Stony Point, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

TBI DBA Savers, Inc.

Hempstead, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

The Capital Grille

Garden City, NY

White Plains/NYC/Long Island

Westchester County Human Resources Dept.

White Plains, NY

More information on statewide NDEAM events can be found on . The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has information for employers and employees in all industries to in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages throughout the year.

ACCES-VR offers individuals with disabilities a wide range of supports—from counseling and guidance, assessment, job placement, and job coaching to tuition assistance and equipment and inventory for those who are self-employed—to help them make a career and earn a living. These individuals work with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors who connect them with the right programs and people so they can reach their employment goals. There are 15 ACCES-VR statewide.

ACCES-VR works closely with the DOL and the New York State Commission for the Blind in helping individuals with disabilities find jobs and identifying employers that hire these individuals. The Commission for the Blind provides vocational rehabilitation for people who are blind and nominates businesses to be recognized this month. Additionally, DOL vets all businesses nominated as part of NDEAM.