October 26, 2006

It made no difference to Stephen and Thomas Sipos that Thomas Beighley was paralyzed on his left side.

The co-owners of a Poughkeepsie insurance and financial services company hired Beighley to do a job that required he lift boxes and scan thousands of papers into a digital system. Beighley provided Sipos Insurance with an eager and able employee.

Unfortunately, many companies are still reluctant to offer employment opportunities to people with disabilities. Roughly 70 percent of this population is unemployed, despite the fact majority say they would prefer working, according to Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities.

To help create awareness, and in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an awards ceremony was held Wednesday to honor local businesses that view people with disabilities as valuable employees, not liabilities.

Awards were given to Kingston Hospital, ShopRite, Best Buy, Westchester Hudson Coat Apron and Towel, Creative Kids Childcare Center, Keegan Ales, Sipos Insurance & Financial Services, Goodwill Superstore and MCR Business Solutions.

Kingston Hospital was cited for providing Gateway Community Industries' clients with work experience in its medical record, linen and food services departments.

Goodwill Superstore in Wappingers Falls won for recognizing that individuals with disabilities are dependable and for treating them with respect.

Also, the New York State Rehabilitation Association small-business award was presented to Robert Partridge, of Lighting and Electronics Inc., in Wappingers Falls.

Trena Boone, a Dutchess ARC job developer for people with disabilities, said there are businesses that have "open minds and open hearts" and then there are businesses that react negatively.

"It's a small-minded world, but it's opening up," she said.

Rossi Taylor, a REHAB Programs job coach, works one-on-one with people who have been placed in employment. He provides the REHAB client with transportation, skill development and support.

Instilling confidence

Taylor said the major benefit employment provides to people with disabilities is confidence.

"Most of them aren't concerned about the paychecks," he said. "They get a chance to surround themselves with other people, to socialize in and out of the workplace."

PEOPLe Inc. Executive Director Steve Miccio spoke about his own battle with mental illness at the ceremony. Miccio worked with people with disabilities for years before being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. His experience with the mental health system reinforced what he knew along, that people with what he called "different abilities" recover and that organizations should continue to provide them with opportunities, including employment, because that leads to hope.

"We live in a time-limited world, but we need to take the time and hire someone who wants to do the work," he said.

Kevin Callahan, director of integrated employment services, a division of REHAB Programs, said young adults transitioning from high school to careers as well as adults with criminal histories are two groups with disabilities that have especially difficult experiences finding employment.

"There are always more people who need employment than opportunities in the community," he said.

Sarah Bradshaw can be reached at sbradshaw@poughkeepsiejournal.com

Link to complete article: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061026/BUSINESS/610260316/1003
Posted by Angie Holladay