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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 6, 2021
For More Information Contact:

JP O'Hare

(518) 474-1201

Press@nysed.gov

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Education Department Recognizes 55 Employers of Individuals With Disabilities

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

In recognition of (NDEAM) throughout October, the State Education Department is honoring 55 businesses across the state that do an outstanding job of employing individuals with disabilities, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. This year’s theme, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement, especially during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual events will be held throughout the month to recognize the employers.

“This annual celebration raises awareness about supporting the employment of people with disabilities and allows us to honor businesses that value diversity among its workforce,” Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said. “The businesses that we recognize this month work to help eliminate employment opportunity gaps for individuals with disabilities by prioritizing diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices and we commend them for their work.”

“New Yorkers of all abilities should be provided with equitable career and employment opportunities,” Commissioner Rosa said. “We value inclusion and are proud to share these values with the businesses we will honor this month. The Board of Regents and State Education Department are grateful for the important work of our ACCES-VR team and partners to ensure individuals with disabilities have support in finding employment opportunities.”

“The State ACCES-VR office is once again proud to support NDEAM. The businesses being honored this month set a high standard for hiring individuals with disabilities,” Deputy Commissioner Ceylane Meyers-Ruff said. “These businesses prove that when given the opportunity, persons with disabilities make excellent employees. We are excited about our partnership with businesses and employers who share our commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

2021 NDEAM Celebrations

The Department’s -Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), willhold virtual events to safely celebrate and honor businesses and workers that reflect the ideals of ACCES-VR’s mission to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living through training, education, rehabilitation and career development.

Thecelebrationswill highlight local businesses that provide employment opportunities that enable workers with disabilities to contribute to their communities, earn a living wage and have meaningful careers. In addition, the Department will recognize ten statewide winners. The NDEAM 2021 statewide and regional winners are listed below.

Statewide Winners
Business Size Name/Address

Employer with 500 or More Employees

The Zucker Hillside Hospital and flex staff divisions of Northwell Health

111 Marcus Avenue
New Hyde Park, NY 11040

Employer with 100 to 499 Employees

Lincare

25 Hazelwood Dr. #100
Buffalo, NY 14228

Employer with 25 to 99 Employees

The Horticulture Society of New York

148 West 37th Street, 13th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Employer with 24 or fewer Employees

The White Moustache, LLC

579 Hicks Road

Brooklyn, NY 11231

Entrepreneur with a Disability

Nathan Alston, The Cuts Up Guy

1775 Eggert Road

Amherst, NY 14226

Innovative Employment Practices

Bark and Purr

1 Pierpointe Street

Yonkers, NY 10701

St. Joseph’s Medical Center

127 South Broadway

Yonkers, NY 10701

Pandemic Related Accommodations

Beckerle Lumber

219 NY-303

Orangeburg, NY 10962

Youth Employment under 24 Years of Age

Queens Botanical Garden

43-50 Main Street

Flushing, NY 11355

Crystal Run Health Care, West Nyack

2 Centerock Rd.
West Nyack, NY 10994

Regional Winners

Arnot Ogden Medical Center

600 Roe Avenue

Elmira, NY 14905

Bay Ridge Honda

8801 4th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11209

Bethany Village

3005 Watkin Road

Chemung, NY 14845

BJ's

607 Old Country Road

Riverhead, NY 11901

Blackstone

300 Steamboat Rd.

Kings Point, NY 11204

Blink Fitness

386 Park Ave S

New York, NY 10016

DCAS

1 Centre Street

New York, NY 10007

Dell's Market and Deli

1799 English Rd

Rochester, NY 14616

Delta Lake Bible Conference Center

8912 Turin Road

Rome, NY 13440

EEP Quality Group

550 Miles Crossing Blvd

Rochester, NY 14624

Health On Wheels

383 Federal Hill Road 1

Delhi, NY 13733

Home Depot

5025 Jericho Turnpike

Commack, NY 11725

Home Goods

1000 Hylan Dr

Rochester, NY 14623

James Ratchford Law, PLLC

1207 Delaware Ave., Ste 208

Buffalo, NY 14202

JCC Rockland Inc. Early Childhood Center

450 West Nyack Road

West Nyack, NY 10994

KIRSH Helmets Inc.

251 State Street #201

Schenectady, NY 12305

Legend Nissan

200 Michael Drive

Syosset, NY 11791

Mario's Home Center and Lumber Yard

1057 Kinderhook Street

Valatie, NY 12184

Marshalls

3340 Monroe Ave

Rochester, NY 14534

Meals on Wheels

435 Riverdale Ave

Yonkers, NY 10708

Mill Services, Inc.

128 MacArthur Ave.

Cobleskill, NY 12043

North River Shipyard

1 Van Houten St.

Nyack, NY 10960

Price Chopper/Market 32

461 Nott St.

Schenectady, NY 12308

Quality Bus Service

25 Cannon Hill Drive

New Hampton, NY 10958

RAD Soap Co. LLC

8 Wolfert Ave

Menands, NY 12204

Savers

7001 West Sunrise Hwy.

Holbrook, NY 11741

Scarsdale Library

54 Olmsted Road

Scarsdale, NY 10583

ShopRite

2335 New Hyde Park Road

New Hyde Park, NY 11040

ShopRite

26 N Middletown Road

Pearl River, NY 10965

ShopRite

142 NY-94

Warwick, NY 10990

Spirit of Huntington Arts Center

2 Melville Road North

Huntington, NY 11796

Sterling's Personalized Gifts &More

82 Main Street

Camden, NY 13316

Stop & Shop

2525 Hempstead Turnpike

East Meadow, NY 11554

Texas Roadhouse

105 Wolf Road, Suite B

Albany, NY 12205

Texas Roadhouse

719-25 S. Meadow Street

Ithaca, NY 14850

TJ Maxx

1509 Forest Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10302

Tops Friendly Market

360 Pulteney Street

Corning, NY 14830

Tree Town Café

745 Penfield Rd

Rochester, NY 14625

Unidine Lifestyles

175 NY 340

Sparkill, NY 10976

University of Rochester

36 Walls Hall PO BOX 270039

Rochester, NY 14627

Valley Wine and Liquor

326 S. Caroline Street

Herkimer, NY 13350

Van Barclom Closures (VBC)

156 Sanford Street

Brooklyn, NY 11205

Vitality Bowls

1839 South Rd

Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

Walgreens

35 Kensico Road

Thornwood, NY 10594

Weis Markets, Inc

1000 South 2nd Street

Sunbury, PA 17801

ACCES-VR

Through the Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) program, the Department assists individuals with disabilities in securing and maintaining employment so they can live independently. ACCES-VR offers individuals with disabilities a wide range of supports—from counseling and guidance, assessment, job placement and job coaching, to tuition assistance, and equipment and inventory to start a business for those who are self-employed—to help them make a career and earn a living. These individuals work with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors who connect them with the right programs and people so they can reach their employment goals. In 2020, more than 80,000 individuals received ACCES-VR services. There are 15 ACCES-VR offices and 10 satellites statewide.

ACCES-VR works closely with the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) and the New York State Commission for the Blind to help individuals with disabilities find jobs and to identify employers that hire these individuals. The Commission for the Blind provides vocational rehabilitation for people who are blind and nominates businesses to be recognized this month. Additionally, DOL vets all businesses nominated as part of NDEAM.

To find out more about ACCES-VR services, please or call 1-800-222-JOBS (5627).