AHRC Nassau and NYSID Address Unemployment, Underemployment of People With Developmental Disabilities in Nassau County
FREEPORT, N.Y., March 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Abrar Butt came to the United States with two dreams – to no longer be isolated as a person with a developmental disability and to pursue a better future through hard work.
Butt has achieved both. He takes pride in his custodial work at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles – Massapequa and the New York State Department of Labor – Hicksville, values the friendships he's developed in the community, and looks to the future he's now able to build with his wife.
His passion and dedication to always go "above and beyond" on the job earned him recognition as a 2018 Joslin Outstanding Performer from New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID).
"I was motivated to work hard and earn money for myself and my family," Butt said. "I would like to thank the people of AHRC for supporting me!"
Butt has two of the 185 jobs provided through NYSID in Nassau County. NYSID's contracts for people with disabilities in this part of Long Island total 164,374 hours and more than $2,474,494 wages.
"Abrar is the rule, not the exception. There is an untapped pipeline of potential for Nassau County and throughout New York State," said NYSID President and CEO Maureen O'Brien. "People with developmental disabilities are ready, willing and able to work. It's not a question of 'if,' so much as 'how' we can partner with local businesses and government agencies to open the doors for more people."
O'Brien recently met with AHRC Nassau leadership. Since her appointment six months ago, O'Brien has traveled across the state to visit member agencies, county executives and local legislators, as well as corporate and nonprofit leaders to strengthen employment opportunities for people with disabilities through the Preferred Source Program.
NYSID is a facilitating agency of the Preferred Source Program, which was established via Article XI, Section 162 of the New York State Finance Law, to advance employment opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities.
"AHRC Nassau has been a proud member of NYSID for almost 25 years," said Stanfort Perry, NYSID board vice chair and AHRC Nassau executive director. "A paycheck is a marker of independence and equality. By building the opportunities for people with disabilities on Long Island, employers are not only demonstrating diversity, they are developing a steady and engaged staff and building their bottom line."
Approximately seventy percent of New Yorkers with disabilities are unemployed. Together, NYSID and AHRC Nassau are actively working to decrease this statistic, while evolving existing programs.
"At AHRC Nassau, we are committed to transforming our supports by creating new opportunities for people with disabilities to become fully engaged and compensated in the workplace," said Perry. "To create meaningful change, we must continue to not only look for new opportunities but evaluate how programs can continue to evolve."
About NYSID
NYSID is a not-for-profit whose mission is "Advancing employment and other opportunities for individuals with disabilities." Established in 1975, NYSID is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit which creates employment opportunities for over 6,000 New Yorkers with disabilities annually through New York's Preferred Source Program. NYSID's community rehabilitation member agencies and corporate partners are located throughout the state, providing jobs in the community and in production facilities. For more information, visit www.nysid.org.
About AHRC Nassau
AHRC Nassau is one of the largest agencies on Long Island supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The nonprofit empowers people to lead fulfilling lives, together with family, friends and community. Offering a wide array of outstanding supports, AHRC Nassau is recognized by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) as a COMPASS agency, a distinction of excellence held by only four agencies in New York. The agency also has been awarded by CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership with Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation With Distinction. As a chapter of The Arc New York, AHRC Nassau welcomes the involvement of partners and volunteers to participate in the community and broaden its network of support. For more information, please visit www.ahrc.org.
For more information, please contact Nicole Zerillo, assistant director of Community Resources, AHRC Nassau, at 516.626.1075, ext. 1134, or [email protected]
SOURCE AHRC Nassau
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