Dear Friends and Colleagues:
In the month of October, we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme, “A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?” promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce, including workers with disabilities.
People with developmental disabilities have a lot to contribute to the community, and OPWDD recognizes their talents, abilities, and work ethic. Like all New Yorkers, they want the opportunity to work and be a part of their communities. Employment is not only beneficial to individuals with disabilities but it is also good for businesses. The NY Makes Work Pay program offers incentives to private sector businesses for hiring individuals with disabilities. Participating employers are compensated through reductions in federal and/or state income tax liability, and are rewarded with the knowledge that they have made a difference in someone’s life.
OPWDD is committed to providing the services and supports necessary for individuals with developmental disabilities to be a part of New York’s workforce. Currently, more than 9,800 individuals with developmental disabilities have achieved or are working toward a goal of employment. OPWDD is working to double that number in the years to come.
On October 17, OPWDD will honor five exceptional businesses committed to having an inclusive workforce at our annual Works for Me event. This year’s celebration will be held at the Huxley Theater at the New York State Museum in Albany. In addition to employers, we will also feature two high schools that excel at transitioning students with developmental disabilities from school into the workforce, allowing them to become fully integrated members of their communities.
Information about employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities are available here, and employers interested in learning more about hiring someone with a disability may click here. I hope you’ll join us next week at our Works for Me event.
Sincerely,
Commissioner Burke
P.S. Communication is critical to our collective success, and OPWDD’s Facebook page is a great place for individuals, family members, employees, advocates, and other stakeholders to exchange thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to join the conversation.