'Employ ABILITY' To Be Recognized at 'Works for Me' Event

ALBANY, NY (10/02/2008)(readMedia)-- Select businesses from across New York State, which have demonstrated that hiring individuals with developmental disabilities is great for business, will be honored at an event on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter announced today.

The businesses that “employ ABILITY,” will be feted at the “Works For Me” awards ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Hart Lounge, Center for the Performing Arts, Empire State Plaza, Albany, N.Y. Benita Zahn, NewsChannel 13 co-anchor and health reporter, will be Master of Ceremonies at the event.

The four businesses to be honored are:

● Small Business Category: Bach’s Towing, Elma, NY. Jim and Don Bach, owners of Bach’s Towing, employ only 12 people at their shop, but they have found a place for two people with developmental disabilities – Jason Tasker and David Fahs – in their car and truck towing, repair and detailing business.

● Medium Business Category: Baker, Sanders, Barshay, Grossman, Fass, Muhlstock and Neuwirth, Attorneys at Law, Mineola, N.Y. The company, located on Long Island, specializes in automobile legislation. The company fully integrates individuals with developmental disabilities into its work force culture, as well as including these employees in extracurricular activities planned by the firm. Office Clerk Jeremy Glass has been working at the law firm for more than three years – his new level of confidence has made it possible for him to increase independence in his personal life as well – and allowing for him to move out on his own.

● Large Business Category: CCRx of N.Y. dba MTM Pharmacy, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. MTM Pharmacy provides customized pharmacy services for long-term care facilities. The business has integrated individuals with developmental disabilities in all aspects of its business. Christina Gagliardo has worked for MTM for more than 6 years and gone from a shy introverted teenager to an outgoing, enthusiastic woman.

● Corporate Partner Category: Wendy’s, Horseheads, N.Y. Wendy’s consistently employs individuals with developmental disabilities, providing an atmosphere that is nurturing, encouraging growth through positive reinforcement. James Dunne has worked at the Horseheads Wendy’s for more than four years and the money from this job has enabled him to live in his own apartment and take the local bus to work, making him more independent.

Featured speakers include: Joan McGovern, director and founder of the Access Ability Resource Center at JPMorgan Chase Bank in New York City, Chester Finn, president of the national Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), and representatives from Governor Paterson’s Executive Office.

The event will highlight – through the use of multi-media presentations – the meaningful relationships formed between employee and employer, as well as the diversity of skills and resilience that people with developmental disabilities have shown through their employment in a wide range of businesses and industries.

In addition, an Employment Information Fair will feature businesses from around the state that employ individuals with developmental disabilities.

“Works for Me” is part of a series of statewide events honoring National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October.

For more information about the Works For Me event or OMRDD’s ‘Employment First’ initiative, contact Nicole Weinstein, Acting Director, Office of Public Information, 518-474-6601.

About OMRDD

The Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) provides high-quality services, supports and advocacy to approximately 120,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. OMRDD works with a network of nearly 800 not-for-profit providers to help people with developmental disabilities lead richer lives that include meaningful relationships, good health, personal growth and productivity and homes in their communities.

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