HKS Honors Employers Who Hire Individuals With Disabilties

For National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October, Helen Keller Services (HKS) paid tribute to two Long Island businesses that have hired and trained clients and students belonging to both its divisions, Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB) and Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC). The occasion was the 34th Annual Award Ceremony for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) presented by New York State Education Department’s ACCES-VR division in Farmingdale, NY.

Nominated by HKSB, the NDEAM Regional Winner was CardWorks (Woodbury, NY), one of the largest privately held providers of end-to-end outsourcing support services for both credit card and installment loan products in North America. Helen Keller Services for the Blind’s relationship with CardWorks began 18 years ago when the organization placed several individuals there who were visually impaired. One of those trainees, Mary Ann McDonald, continues to work at CardWorks and spoke at the award ceremony of her journey and career success at CardWorks, having received promotions several times over the years.

Nominated by HKNC, the NDEAM State Winner was A+ Towel & Linen Supply (Farmingdale, NY), a full-service linen supplier for restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, nursing homes and other facilities. Several years ago, HKNC reached out to the company to explore a collaboration. A+ Towel & Linen owner Neal Cappadona was eager to develop the relationship and has since provided training opportunities for five deaf-blind individuals who were students at HKNC, in addition to hiring a deaf-blind employee. A+ Towel & Linen Supply participates in HKNC workplace training programs and continues to be an active employment partner in the vocational rehabilitation field.

“At Helen Keller Services, vocational training is central to our mission to help promote more independent lives for our clients and students,” stated HKS President and CEO Kim Zimmer. “Whether blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind, the men and women who come through our programs learn skills that make them valuable assets in the workplace. Ultimately, however, it is companies like CardWorks and A+ Towel & Linen Supply that provide the employment opportunities. These businesses and the other NDEAM employers we honor are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified people with disabilities and providing the training that enables their employees to thrive. We are forever grateful to our corporate partners for the example they set and the lives they change.”

Founded in 1893, Helen Keller Services offers services and programs through two divisions: Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults and Helen Keller Services for the Blind. For more information, please visit www.helenkeller.org.