FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Education Department Recognizes 74 Employers of Individuals with Disabilities
The New York State Education Department honored 74 businesses from across the state that do an outstanding job of employing individuals with disabilities as part of its celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Interim Commissioner Beth Berlin announced today.
The Department’s Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES), in collaboration of several partner organizations, honored the 74 businesses at award ceremonies throughout the state during the month of October. In addition to the award ceremonies, Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) events, panel discussions, and career fairs were held. This year’s NDEAM theme was “The Right Talent, Right Now.”
“In New York, we value diversity, including differences in ability, and are proud to honor businesses that share these values,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “The businesses that we honored this month prioritize diversity in their hiring practices. With the help of these businesses, we are working to eliminate employment gaps for people with disabilities.”
“The Board of Regents and the State Education Department are thankful for the important work being done by our ACCES-VR team and our partners to support people with disabilities in finding employment opportunities,” said Interim Commissioner Beth Berlin. “This year, the NDEAM theme was ‘The Right Talent, Right Now,’ and the businesses honored this month reflect this theme by hiring qualified individuals, regardless of ability.”
“The New York State ACCES-VR office was pleased to honor the 74 New York business awardees this National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” ACCES Deputy Commissioner Kevin Smith said. “When a business is committed to hiring a diverse workforce, inclusive of the skills and talents of individuals with disabilities, it benefits the entire community. We are proud to work in partnership with businesses that share our commitment to diversity.”
Statewide Winner (499-100 Employees) – Neal Cappadona, A+ Linen & Towel Supply (Farmingdale, NY):
“I would tell other employers or business partners looking to hire individuals with disabilities that ACCES-VR supports you from start to finish. It has really worked out well. We are so happy with the program that we would be open to trying satellite programs.”
Statewide Winner (99-25 Employees) – Anthony Haydu, General Manager, Grandaisy Bakery (New York, NY):
“I was most fortunate to answer a call from the Supervisor of Job Development at Lexington Vocational Services back in April 2013. All of the vocational services and support would not have been able to be authorized without ACCES-VR. ACCES-VR’s support of Lexington Vocational Services has helped us to identify and train our great talent pool.”
Statewide Winner (Entrepreneur) – Jeff Schnabel, Buffalo Grave Tenders (Getzville, NY):
“I was talking with my lawyer trying I was trying to figure out what type of job I could do with a bad back and had a grave tending idea. I called ACCES-VR and filled out all the paperwork. I was approved for help. They helped me with a business plan and were very supportive! Everyone I worked with thought that my idea was so unique that it would give me a niche. They purchased tools that I needed and gave me the support I needed to start this venture to feel needed again and to provide a very special service.”
2019 NDEAM Winners
The Department recognized five statewide winners: Sam’s Club, A+ Towel & Linen Supply, Grandaisy Bakery, Lone Maple Farm, and entrepreneur Buffalo Grave Tenders. NYSED also honored 69 regional winners (see list below).
The NDEAM 2019 statewide and regional winners are listed below.
| Business Size | Name/Address |
|---|---|
|
500 or More Employees |
Sam's Club |
|
499-100 Employees |
A+ Towel & Linen Supply |
|
99-25 Employees |
Grandaisy Bakery |
|
24 or Fewer Employees |
Lone Maple Farm |
|
Entrepreneur |
Buffalo Grave Tenders |
| Business Size | Name/Address |
|---|---|
|
Capital District/Hudson Valley |
Blaze Pizza |
|
Market Bistro |
|
|
Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill |
|
|
Orange & Rockland Utility |
|
|
Shop Rite of Wallkill |
|
|
Sunoco |
|
|
Central New York |
Advanced Auto Parts |
|
Big Time Transportation |
|
|
Cugini's Pizzeria |
|
|
Leatherstocking Council, BSA |
|
|
Little Peeps Play Care |
|
|
McDonalds |
|
|
RFS Construction Solutions |
|
|
The Garage Taco Bar |
|
|
Toonie Moonie Organics |
|
|
Long Island |
Amazon |
|
Atria on Roslyn Harbor |
|
|
Big Lots |
|
|
Camp Bow Wow |
|
|
Cannon |
|
|
Canon U.S.A. Inc. |
|
|
CardWorks |
|
|
Evero Corporation |
|
|
Gallagher Family Markets - Shoprite |
|
|
Henry Schein, Inc. |
|
|
Home Depot |
|
|
LA Fitness |
|
|
Levy Restaurants |
|
|
Parker Jewish Institute for Health and Rehabilitation |
|
|
St. John's Episcopal Hospital |
|
|
Sunrise Credit Services |
|
|
New York City |
Bill Kolb |
|
Cambridge Security Seals |
|
|
Chili's |
|
|
Double Tree Hilton |
|
|
Dunkin Donuts |
|
|
Marshalls |
|
|
Marshalls |
|
|
Montifiore New Rochelle Hospital |
|
|
Montifiore Nyack Hospital |
|
|
New City Library |
|
|
Nolan Painting |
|
|
Northern Riverview |
|
|
NYS Vets Home |
|
|
Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center |
|
|
Rockland County Facilities Management |
|
|
Shop Rite |
|
|
Welllife Clean Corp. |
|
|
Werok |
|
|
Westchester Co. Office for People with Disabilities |
|
|
Wheelabrator Westchester |
|
|
Western New York |
Biel's Document Management |
|
Big Lots |
|
|
Buffalo Wild Wings |
|
|
Campus Auxiliary Services, Inc. |
|
|
Cherry Ridge |
|
|
Christie's Restaurant |
|
|
Crickler Vending Services |
|
|
Expressive Beginnings |
|
|
Hyatt Regency |
|
|
Instant Monogramming |
|
|
IQOR |
|
|
Jack's Barcelona Drive-In |
|
|
Lifetime Service Center |
|
|
Sowfit |
|
|
St. Ann's Community |
|
|
The Strong National Museum of Play |
|
|
Walmart (Depew) |
|
|
Walmart (Fredonia) |
ACCES-VR
Through the Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) program, the Department assists individuals with disabilities in securing and maintaining employment so they can live independently. 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 goal. In 2018, more than 27,000 individuals became eligible for ACCES-VR services and more than 13,000 secured employment. There are 15 ACCES-VR offices statewide.
ACCES-VR works closely with the New York State Department of Labor (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.
To find out more about ACCES-VR services, please visit our ACCES-VR website or call 1-800-222-JOBS (5627).
Media Contact
Reporters and education writers may contact the Office of Communications by email or phone at:
Press@nysed.gov
(518) 474-1201