The Vermont Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD) has announced the first employer award recipients for the “Spirit of the ADA” Awards to commemorate National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The Vermont “Spirit of the ADA” Award is given to employers who reflect the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act in their employment practices. Successfully meeting any of the following criteria qualifies employers for eligibility to be nominated:
- Recruitment outreach and equal accessibility in the application, interviewing, and hiring procedures for people with disabilities;
- Use of on-the-job accommodations, modifications, progressive employment methods, and/or creative solutions for successful training and employment of people with disabilities;
- Accessible physical structures, buildings, work stations and equipment, and services; and
- Support for the employment of a person(s) with disability as an overall employment strategy.
Awards will be presentedthroughout the year. Thus far, the following employers have been recognized for the promotion of hiring and retaining of people with disabilities:
Lisai’s Chester Market – Chester, VT
Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services – Springfield, VT
The Home Depot – Bennington, VT
Bond Auto Parts – South Burlington, VT
AW Perkins – Rutland, VT
Bond Auto Parts recipients (left to right): Donald Turner, Andy Bond, Mark Hastings (award recipient for Bond Auto), Christopher Loso (Chair, GCEPD), Scott Bond, Craig Bond. Courtesy GCEPD
Every day, people with disabilities can and do add value to America’s workplaces. However, in both good economic times and bad, people with disabilities have far fewer job opportunities than the general population. The goal of the GCEPD is to promote the hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities and to dispel stereotypes about disability and employment. The employers who are recognized for this award have been exemplary in their employment of people with disabilities, and the employees have been successful contributors to their respective businesses.
Lisai's Chester Market picture: Dominic Anderson - employee, Lisai's Chester Market, Christopher Loso -Chair GCEPD, Lonnie Lisai - owner, Lisai's Chester Market.“We are excited about the progress that has been made by Vermont employers in the hiring of people with disabilities. The “Spirit of the ADA” Awards will recognize some of these employers. We will continue our education and outreach efforts to increase the employment outcomes for Vermonters of ALL abilities and to help employers gain awareness of this valuable resource pool for employment,” said Christopher J. Loso, Chair of the Vermont GCEPD and Vice President of Loso’s Professional Janitorial Services, Inc. “My company has been employing people with disabilities for the past three years and they have made a tremendous impact with their quality of work. They should be seriously considered by employers across Vermont looking for skilled and motivated employees. It makes perfect business sense.”
About the Vermont GCEPD
The Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD) is a permanent statewide committee established in 1963 by the Vermont legislature to promote the employment of people with disabilities. Its 21 members represent a broad cross section of individuals from business, disability groups, government, and service providers. Through education and outreach activities it provides support and resources to employers and job seekers to facilitate the employment and accommodation of people of all abilities.
The Home Depot: Sam Liss -GCEPD member, Christopher Loso -Chair GCEPD, Scott Found -store manager, The Home Depot, Bennington.About National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2014 is "Expect. Employ. Empower."
NDEAM's roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." Upon its establishment in 2001, ODEP assumed responsibility for NDEAM and has worked to expand its reach and scope ever since.
Burlington Vermont, October 21, 2014 – GCEPD