NFI Recipients Exemplify the Best of America in Valuing People with Disabilities

During a recent emotional stirring ceremony nine individuals representing the business and non-profit sectors received the Third Annual New Freedom Initiative Award from U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chow. Started in 2001, the award recognizes exemplary and innovative efforts to train, recruit and employ people with disabilities.

In her remarks, Secretary Chow said, “The New Freedom Initiative Award recipients recognize the value that persons with disabilities bring to the workplace and that wisdom is reflected in their daily actions and operations.”

The ceremony was marked by an aura of humility and surprise from the recipients. To them, employing people with disabilities means employing people with abilities.

One of the recipients Michael Takemura, director, Hewlett Packard Accessibility Program Office, Houston, TX, said, “Hewlett Packard's goal is to employ people of all abilities.” To an audience committed to the same goal, his statement reaffirmed their belief that the abilities of people with disabilities are being recognized. A film showing people with disabilities working in various departments highlighted Takemura's message.

HP's Accessibility Program Office guides corporate-wide accessibility in product design, product development, marketing, web, services, support and programs for people with disabilities who are involved in the development of accessibility guidelines and in the design and testing of products and services.

Another technology recipient, Pamela Passman, deputy general counsel, Global Corporate Affairs, Microsoft, told the audience of about 150, “Microsoft is committed to employing people with disabilities and ensuring they have access to the technology required to work.”

Microsoft/s commitment to employing people with disabilities is carried out though policies and programs administered by its Accessible Technology Group and its Human Resources/Diversity Group.

The company relies on its employees with disabilities to provide valuable perspectives on how the company develops products and services, how it markets them and how it can improve customer satisfaction.

Jobs. Jobs. Providing jobs for people with disabilities was the message effectively hammered home during this memorable ceremony. One of the business attendees, who wanted to remain anonymous, said, “This ceremony is a rally on behalf of the abilities of employees with disabilities. I have never seen so much diversity in the employment area.”

The winning organizations included Marriott Foundation for Bridges; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Project Search; Salt Lake Community College Skills Center Projects with Industry; A & F Wood Projects; MBNA America Bank, N.A.; Sun Trust Banks; and the Greater Kansas City Foundation for Citizens with Disabilities.

The significance of these programs is they provide careers for employees for people with disabilities.

A & F Wood Products manufactures wood frames and doors. Seven of its 20 employees have a disability.

About 340 people with either cognitive or developmental disabilities working for MBNA America Bank, N.A. provide integral business services across departments in Maine, Delaware, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey and Canada.

Sun Trust's employment program includes a disability resource center to increase employee's access to assistive technology and retention and advancement strategies for people with disabilities.

Athletic star power was present. Kansas City Chief's linebacker Michael Maslowski accepted for the Kansas City foundation. He was inspired to become a board member in 2000 when his nephew with a disability had a difficult time being hired when he left high school. The towering Maslowski and last recipient said, “All of us have dreams. I dreamt as a youngster that I wanted to play professional football, and I am fortunate I have the skills to achieve my dream. I believe every youngster with a disability has a dream, and they should have every opportunity to achieve the dream.”

His remarks produced a loud applause. His audience was with him.

Maslowski has worked with hundreds of high school juniors and seniors with disabilities providing them with encouragement and in developing a Job Club. He says, “The Club helps the students gain confidence in their search and to overcome the stigma that prevents some employers from hiring people with disabilities.”

The recipients exemplified exceptional diversity programs in employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the country.

The Labor Department is recruiting people with disabilities and its goal is to be a showcase for the entire federal government in hiring people with disabilities.

For information on the program visit www.dod.gov/compliance.