ALBANY, NY — The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities’ (OPWDD) honored five businesses and one school district on November 6th at the New York State Museum’s Huxley Theater in Albany as recipients of OPWDD’s annual Works for Me awards.
New Rochelle High School received Honorable Mention in the Youth Transition Award category, edged out by Albany High School in Albany, NY. New Rochelle High School, supported employment agency is CAREERS for People with Developmental Disabilities, offers career opportunities through its Community Based Culinary Arts Program, Project SEARCH, and the Think College program at Iona College.
Greg Lau, Case Manager/Transition Coordinator for the City School District of New Rochelle was on hand for the event.
Works for Me awards are given to businesses across the state that are committed to workforce diversity and to hiring individuals with developmental disabilities. These businesses recognize the significant contributions that individuals can make in the workplace and that hiring workers with disabilities makes good business sense.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed an executive order earlier this year establishing the Employment First Commission, which is tasked with creating an Employment First policy for New York, and making competitive, integrated employment the first option when considering supports and services for people with disabilities. The initiative will help the state achieve its goal to increase the employment rate and register 100 businesses to hire people with disabilities as part of their workforce strategy.
In addition, New York established the Workers with Developmental Disabilities Tax Credit which offers a tax credit to businesses that hire individuals with a developmental disability. There is no limit the number of hires one company can make, and the employer ultimately decides who to hire.
OPWDD Acting Commissioner Kerry Delaney said, “OPWDD’s ongoing efforts to achieve full community integration for individuals with disabilities are in line with the Governor’s goal to increase the employment rate of people with disabilities across New York State. A diversified workforce works for everyone, and OPWDD is committed to ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities are a growing part of New York State’s workforce.”
More than 7,300 individuals with developmental disabilities are currently engaged in competitive employment in New York State, making at least minimum wage. OPWDD has implemented strategies to increase that number by at least 10% in the coming year.
The 2014 “Works For Me” Honorees are:
Small Business of the Year: Della’s Chocolates, Medina, NY
Medium Business of the Year: The Corporate Source, Mineola, NY
Large Business of the Year: King Kullen, Bellmore, NY
Government/Nonprofit of the Year: Services for the Underserved-Urban Farms, Brooklyn, NY
Corporate Partner of the Year: Modell’s Sporting Goods, Brooklyn, NY
Youth Transition Award: Albany High School, Albany, NY
RELATED:
Works for Me Ceremony
List of Honorees