Stretcher Limo of New Port Richey Honored for Hiring People with Disabilities
For Media Use:
October 1, 2009
Contact: Rachel Smith
850-245-3415 or 850-727-3149
Local Business Honored for Hiring People with Disabilities
Photo: Left to Right: Blind Services Director Joyce Hildreth, Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Jim DeBeaugrine, Dennis Smith, owner of Stretcher Limo and Vocational Rehabilitation Director Bill Palmer at event on Thursday, October 1.
Tallahassee, FL– The number of employers hiring people with disabilities is growing daily as businesses try to build stable, productive workforces. Disability Employment Awareness Month is an opportunity to celebrate employers who are committed to hiring people with disabilities. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Division of Blind Services, and the Agency for Workforce Innovation recently honored eight outstanding employers:
Wal-Mart with a focus on the Pensacola and Mariana stores
Stretcher Limo of New Port Richey
Call 4 Health of Boca Raton
Walgreens Distribution Center
Hilton-At-Home Reservations of Tampa
Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach
Fausto Food Palace of Key West
Jacksonville Aviation Authority
These
businesses have long histories of inclusion and understand the
importance of giving people with disabilities an opportunity to
work. They also educate other employers about the benefits of
hiring people with disabilities by sharing their own positive
experiences.
What many employers don’t realize is that most accommodations
for persons with disabilities cost under $500, with many being
free. In addition, help may be available from community programs
like VR. Organizations like VR, The Able Trust, and Workforce
Plus are successfully connecting job seekers with disabilities
to employment, while informing employers about the many
associated benefits.
“Hiring people with disabilities is just something we’ve always
done, when we can,” says Dennis Smith, owner of Stretcher
Limo in New Port Richey. Stretcher Limo is a non-emergency
local passenger transportation service that brings people with
disabilities to their various appointments. Dennis was honored
that his company received an Outstanding Employer Award. When
asked why he hires people with disabilities, Dennis had one word
to say, “Loyalty.”
Charles Neuman recently began working at Stretcher Limo
and is enjoying his new job. He takes pleasure in helping people
who are in need of assistance because they are always so
thankful for the ride. He is grateful to VR for giving him the
support he needed and for helping him find a job. “When most
people turn away from people with a disability, VR is the first
to offer help any way they can.”
Photo Left: Dennis Smith, owner of Stretcher Limo speaks to the
benefits of hiring people with disabilities at the Disability
Employment Awareness Celebration in Tallahassee on Thursday,
October 1.
Learning about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities can open new doorways to employment. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities become part of Florida’s workforce. Our employer-focused website, www.FLJobConnections.com, allows businesses to search at no charge for employees with disabilities who are ready to go to work, as well as post available jobs. VR has 111 offices across Florida, and last year helped more than 8,000 Floridians find or keep jobs. For more information about VR and its services, call (800) 451-4327 or visit www.rehabworks.org.
