National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is recognized nationally every October, and is an opportune time to educate the public about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of workers with disabilities.
The 2016 NDEAM theme is #InclusionWorks, and given this year’s hashtag theme, we’re going to be posting images on social media illustrating the many ways “inclusion works” at Bona Vista Programs. Whether it is bragging on our hard-working employment specialists, highlighting a persons served who has thrived at their place of employment, or even recognizing businesses who promote the hiring of persons with different abilities, we are going to take the entire month to let you know that #InclusionWorks is more than a theme for Bona Vista Programs…it’s a way of life.
If you’re not familiar with Bona Vista’s WorkForce Diversity program (WFD), let me give you a very brief overview (because there would never been enough space for all they do): WFD works one-on-one with employers who need dependable job candidates any time of the year. They discover the open positions at the business, and look to our persons served with the specific skill set that would best fit the job opening. They work diligently to make sure both the business and the persons served are happy with the employment.
Individuals come to Bona Vista’s WorkForce Diversity program after being referred by the Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services. We work with the individual to discover what their skills, job goals and strengths are in the workforce. We then work with them on job seeking skills, job leads and resume development. We want to make sure that our persons served are ready and confident when entering the job market. As an employer, don’t you wish all of your employees had such training before signing on?
Individuals that WorkForce Diversity serves may have mental illness, developmental, intellectual or cognitive disabilities as well as physical issues, such as back or neck injuries, hearing impairment and more. We work with employers and clients to find a match that best allows them to work with their abilities – and not focus on their disability. For example, Scott Elliott has worked at Meijer for 19 years. You’ve seen him. He’s probably been pushing carts or chatting up a customer. He’s a dependable and hard-working individual who Bona Vista has had the pleasure of watching grow in confidence and skill set.
“Individuals, like Scott, are fully capable of holding down good jobs,” said Meredith Freeman, Bona Vista Programs Director of Vocational Services. “Some may need small accommodations, but they are loyal and appreciative of the opportunity.”
We would like to see how #InclusionWorks at your place of employment as well! Tag us on Instagram (bonavistaprograms), Twitter (@BonaVista_) or Facebook (Bonavista Programs) to show your support for people of all abilities!