Education Department Recognizes Employers of Individuals With Disabilities

The New York State Education Department will celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) throughout October with this year’s theme "Increasing Access and Opportunity," Interim Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced. The Department’s Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES), with several partner organizations, will host virtual events across the state to recognize businesses that do an outstanding job of employing individuals with disabilities. This special year marks the 75th observance of NDEAM, 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and 100 years of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

“We are thrilled that, despite the pandemic, we are able to virtually continue this annual campaign to educate the public about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of workers with disabilities,” Board of Regents Vice Chancellor T. Andrew Brown said. “The businesses that we honor this month prioritize diversity in their hiring practices. With their help, we will continue to work to eliminate employment gaps for people with disabilities.”

“In New York we value diversity, including differences in ability, and are proud to honor businesses that share these values,” Interim Commissioner Rosa said. “Given the opportunity, individuals with disabilities are excellent employees who add value to the workforce. The Board of Regents and the State Education Department are grateful for the important work being done by our ACCES-VR team and our partners to support people with disabilities in finding employment opportunities.” 

“These businesses set the standard for hiring individuals with disabilities and the State ACCES-VR office is pleased to once again support National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” Deputy Commissioner Kevin Smith said. “Through our Vocational Rehabilitation program, we are a proud partner in helping businesses and their employees realize the benefits of diversity.”

2020 NDEAM Celebrations

This year, to safely celebrate and honor 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, ACCES-VR will hold virtual events across New York State. These will include virtual job fairs and events to honor employers.

The celebrations will, as in years past, emphasize local businesses that provide employment opportunities that enable workers with disabilities to contribute to their communities, earn a living wage and have meaningful careers.

The Department will recognize seven statewide winners: The Ayfa Foundation of America, Hannaford Supermarkets, BNB Bank, Secure Scan, Honeoye Public Library, Montefiore New25 Rochelle Hospital and entrepreneur Sean Cuddihy. NYSED also honored 25 regional winners. 

The NDEAM 2020 statewide and regional winners are listed below.

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 services so they can reach their employment goals. In 2019, more than 91,000 New Yorkers received ACCES-VR services. There are 25 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).