NYSID recognizes champions of disabled workers

SCHENECTADY —The New York State Industries for the Disabled honored employees for outstanding job performance and organizations for creating employment opportunities for disabled workers during its annual business meeting and award ceremony Wednesday evening.

The event at Rivers Casino & Resort brought together members, corporate partners, local officials, government guests and workers with disabilities. With the theme of “Unity, Purpose, Change,” the ceremony followed the Oct. 4 announcement by Gov. Kathy Hochul proclaiming October as the first New York State Disability Rights and Employment Awareness Month.

As a facilitating agency of the state's Preferred Source Program, NYSID works to improve employment opportunities for people with disclosed disabilities by fulfilling government, private sector and nonprofit purchasing needs. This past fiscal year, NYSID reported that it managed contracts that employed more than 4,600 workers with disabilities who earned $77.8 million in wages.

The event included a musical performance from Flame, an American cover band of musicians with disabilities including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, blindness and paralysis.

NYSID recognized the 2022 honorees at the annual meeting and business presentation:

Sen. John Mannion and Assemblyman Chris Burdick received the Legislative Champions award for working to improve employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Mannion serves as chair of the newly established Senate Committee on Disability and Burdick serves as chair of the Standing Committee on People with Disabilities.

Special Olympics New York received the NYSID Champion award for purchasing NYSID products and services to increase corporate social responsibilities, as well as encouraging employment for the athletes at NYSID member agencies.

Arc of Ondondaga, a service provider to people with disabilities in Onondaga County, was recognized as Member Agency of the Year, celebrating its 30-year association with NYSID through its janitorial program that provided 41 contracts for individuals with disabilities in 2022.

Sheen & Shine, Inc., a Rochester-based janitorial and maintenance company, won Corporate Partner of the Year for its work as a NYSID private sector business partner hiring more than 35 individuals with disabilities including veterans for custodial work.

The Department of Motor Vehicles was recognized as the State Government Customer of the Year for employing NYSID custodians at 29  DMV sites.

The Department of Transportation was awarded the Local Government Customer of the Year award for hiring more than 15 new employees in 2022 to its current custodial team from AHRC New York City’s Hudson River Services division.

Workers Gary LaPorte and Nicole Dorr were also recognized at the event with the William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award. LaPorte is employed by Arc Herkimer as a part-time building attendant in the production center, improving his performance, work ethic and independence outside of work in recent years. Dorr is a custodian at the state Department of Homeland Security building through Warren, Washington and Albany Counties ARC, where she has overcome her anxiety and learning disabilities to reach financial independence and improved confidence.