An Upstate New York-based organization is taking on the challenge of finding 100 businesses to commit to hiring those with disabilities. The Our Ability Alliance is aiming to fulfill an executive order from the governor. Managing partner John Robinson they’re excited about the prospect of funneling more business and employment to those with disabilities.
"We believe we can set up a New York Business Leadership Network and answer that call of signing up 100 businesses that are willing to employ."
Robinson says his organization has been working for five years towards better employment outcomes for those with disabilities. The unemployment rate for that demographic is above 70 percent. He says businesses seem to be thawing to the idea of hiring…
"Those businesses that we engage with are interested in a diverse workforce, and that includes people with disabilities. Whatever business we have, we want our business to mirror our consumer. That's no different from any of the businesses we've worked with, and they realize many of the customers businesses have, some of those customers are people with disabilities, some have children with disabilities, some have brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles with disabilities."
Robinson, who is a quad amputee, says his organization comes in when a business just might not be aware of the advantages of hiring someone with a disability…including loyalty and longevity.
"We're needed in that we have to educate on what it's like to engage with someone with cerebral palsy, somebody who's an amputee, someone who has Asperger's or autism. The educational part of this is very important."
There are already several prominent businesses that have already committed their time and expertise to serving on the business leadership network, including Price Chopper, Realty USA, and State Employee Federal Credit Union, or SEFCU.
"There's one major similarity, and that is they're all successful businesses."
Robinson says they also have another key attribute…
"The businesses that are successful are successful in part because they are community oriented. What I'm excited about is the strength of the businesses that want to work with us, that want to become members, that want to be part of our steering committee, that are working toward these better outcomes."
Our Ability has also advocated that companies contracting with the state have a certain percentage of employees with disabilities, and that state agencies do the same. They also believe businesses owned by those with disabilities should be included in the Minority and Women Business Enterprises or MWBE.
Robinson urges job candidates to reach out to his organization so they can make connections with businesses they sign up over the next year. The website is ourability.com.
