October 2, 2020: Ensuring that people with developmental disabilities and varying abilities secure and maintain meaningful, competitive employment is an important part of what People Inc. does year-round. Each October, People Inc. recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time set aside to acknowledge the talents and valuable contributions of workers with disabilities. This year marks not only the 75th observance of NDEAM, but also the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act – two milestones encompassing the theme, “Increasing Access and Opportunity.”

People Inc. is seeking new businesses in Western New York and the Greater Rochester region to join its current 300 business partners. Several business solutions have been established that offer high-quality work, ranging from janitorial and carpet cleaning to workforce solutions and contract manufacturing. Additionally, People Inc. helps companies fill openings specific to their need and demand. Hiring a qualified person with a disability brings greater benefits beyond just filling an open job, including a return on investment, marketing, innovation and diverse perspectives that all contribute to a successful business.

People Inc. is proud to support people in their career goals through its Supported Employment and Vocational Programs. Regardless of physical or cognitive disability and sensory impairment, people have the right to equal employment opportunities. 

The goal of the agency’s Vocational Services is to help people with all abilities find a job that is suitable to their specific interests, strengths and abilities. “Besides providing a quality product to our customers, equally important is the opportunity that these businesses provide to those whom we support,” said James Scutt, associate vice president, People Inc. “We have been excited to see the change in businesses perceptions around the hiring of people from this largely unrecognized labor market,” added Scutt. “That’s why People Inc. has taken the approach that if there is not a good job match in traditional employment opportunities, we create them so that people who are ready and willing to work, can. These jobs are competitive and integrated and provide real wages to the people we support.”

A nationwide effort has been made to encourage businesses to understand the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, a skilled group of job seekers who are unemployed at a rate that is twice that of job seekers without disabilities. If a person with a disability would like to learn more or for businesses to find out how to partner with People Inc., email James Scutt at jscutt@people-inc.org or call its Vocational Services Department at 716-817-5750.

People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 10,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, special needs, families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted people to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org, follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews.