For this issue about “Strategies” I would like to talk about an important strategy for business success- obtaining, training and keeping the right employee. We all know how difficult it is to find good employees- those with the appropriate skills, the ability to be trained, the willingness to learn, a great work ethic and a commitment to the job and the company. Well- I have a solution for you: hire the “differently abled.” 

Tom and Cynthia Rosicki have a hugely successful law firm based here on Long Island, with offices throughout New York State. They have over 500 employees. Guess what? 24% of them have a disability- including autism, Downs Syndrome, deaf, legally and/or completely blind, MS, CP, missing limbs, in wheelchairs, etc. Now- why would a thriving law firm hire so many disabled people? It is not just about doing good. They also hire them for the same reason they hire the able bodied- to have good employees who will be productive and help the company achieve a solid bottom line.  Yes, for the Rosickis’ it is about giving back, helping others, supporting their community- they’re extremely philanthropic people- but they are also very very astute business people and understand that you find your talent where you can and you encourage and support that talent because the success of your employees means your success.

You may be saying- “my facility can’t adapt to the needs of the disabled or I don’t have the time to train and supervise or my customers  or other staff won’t accept disabled workers….”. There are lots of excuses. None of them are legitimate. The Rosickis will attest to that. I will also- Long Island Development Corporation employs two challenged individuals, who are productive, who work well with customers and who are integral parts of our team.

One thing that makes it easier for firms like LIDC and the Rosicki law firm to hire and retain “differently abled” employees is a program like the Supported Employment Program offered by the AHRC Nassau.  For 65 years, AHRC Nassau has served the needs of the developmentally disabled and their families through services ranging from residential to medical to recreation. One of its program jewels is the Supported Employment Program.

The program places AHRC clients in competitively paid community based employment opportunities in order to help them be an integral part of the work force, and be independent, contributing members of our economy. Services include a thorough screening process to match the client with the right job opportunity; one on one training in the specific skills needed for that job. The goal of the program is to make sure that the employee meets and exceeds the expectations of the employer. In addition to screening, placing and training the employee (for however long it takes), the program’s job coaches remain committed to supporting the employee throughout his or her work life at the job. This means, whenever the employer has a new task or skill for the employee or the employee needs some other support, the job coach is there to provide same. The staff also works to help the employer make all reasonable accommodations to assure the success of the employee. Clients of AHRC’s Supported Employment Program have been placed with such employers as Stop & Shop, CVS, NY Islanders, Friendly’s, Town of Hempstead, and of course- Rosicki & Rosicki and Long Island Development Corp.

If you’re not convinced yet, remember- the AHRC services are all free to the employer! Where else do you get qualified skilled employees trained for free by someone else? And, don’t forget- you’re getting committed, hard working staff in the bargain.

Tom Rosicki recently wrote a poem-“The Gift” – about hiring people with disabilities and how it’s a favor to you- the employer in many ways. The poem is reproduced here with Tom’s permission.

There are numerous agencies on Long Island that provide similar services.

For information about the AHRC Supported Employment Program contact Hector Rolon at 516 546 7700 ext 4195; hrolon@ahrc.org or see www.ahrcworkforce.org.

No matter who the source of your “differently abled” employee- it’s all part of a strategy of business success. The right employees are key to that successful business strategy.