VESID and the Mid Hudson Employment Alliance celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month
 Poughkeepsie, NY: October marked Disability Employment Awareness Month, a Federally recognized designation that calls attention to the issues people with disabilities face, particularly in employment. This year’s national theme was “America’s People …American’s Talent…America’s Strength”.
According to the latest labor market employment statistics, the pool of workers is shrinking, and employers will continue to turn to individuals with disabilities as a source of qualified candidates who are ready, willing and able to work. Roughly 70% of people with disabilities are unemployed. This is not by choice: two out of three who are not employed say they would prefer working. Locally, the Mid Hudson Employment Alliance, a group of public and non-profit agencies provide employment assistance, training and support for job ready candidates with disabilities.
In an effort to highlight the contributions of workers with disabilities to the Mid Hudson area economy, and as an opportunity for businesses to learn from other businesses about the benefits of hiring this untapped resource of talent, VESID, the Mid Hudson Employment Alliance and the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted for the seventh year, an awards luncheon event to recognize businesses for expanding employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The event was held on Wednesday, October 22nd at the Poughkeepsie Civic Center. Keynote speaker Tom Frost, an attorney at Rosicki, Rosicki and Associates spoke about the benefits to his law firm in hiring individuals with disabilities. Rosicki, Rosicki and Associates is alsoa Regional Award Winner this year. Nineteen selected businesses in Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam counties received recognition in the following catagories:
Employer 500
St. Francis Hospital, Poughkeepsie - Dave Matrendo
Employer 100 – 499
Price Chopper, Poughkeepsie - Richard DeWitt, Rob Moore
New Horizons Resources, Pleasant Valley - Regis Obijiski
Ulster County Sheriff Dept, Kingston - Paul Van Blarcum
Employer 25 – 99
People, Inc, Poughkeepsie - Breta Campus
Hudson Micro Imaging, Port Ewen - Toya Dubin, Stephen Fisher
A & P Food Market, Mahopac – Rosemarie Hamilton
Employer 24 or Less
Continental Auto Parts, Highland – Mike O’Young
Kingston Worx, Kingston – Matthew J. Osterhoudt
Seven 21 Media Center – Jeremy Ellenbogen
Nelson’s Supply Inc., Saugerites – Tasha Bersal
Sunshine Tees & Embroidery, Kingston – Nancy Jubie
Edible Arrangements, Kingston – Cailin Hanson
Queen’s Gallery, Kingston – Diane Reeder
Steve & Barry’s, Kingston – Tom Carnes
Advanced Health & injury Care, Kingston – Kathy Gilliland
Rosicki, Rosicki & Associates, Fishkill – Thomas Frost
Take 5 Deli, Poughkeepsie – Mike Signorelli
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