NYS honors UHS Ideal for hiring those with disabilities

In recognition of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the New York State Education Department has honored UHS Senior Living at Ideal and 52 other businesses across the state for doing an outstanding job of employing individuals with disabilities.

Education commissioner Betty Rosa said that this year’s theme, "Advancing Access and Equity," reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement.

“The businesses being honored this year have demonstrated that when you tap into this talented and often underutilized segment of the population, the possibilities to increase productivity and innovation are endless,” she said. 

UHS Ideal was one of 11 Southern Tier organizations honored at the 2023 National Disability Awareness Event, held Oct. 12 in the Binghamton State Office Building, said James Shadduck, administrator of UHS Ideal.

Speakers at the event included New York State Sen. Lea Webb, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, Amy Howard of ACHIEVE, Maggie McNamara of Community Options, Cameron McMicken of the state Labor Department, Robin Eccleston of BOCES, Randall Cook of Broome Tioga Workforce and Andrew Tunison of ACCES-VR.

The keynote speaker was Liam Wagner of the Kelly Brush Foundation.

Lester W. Young. Jr., chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, commented:  "National Disability Awareness Month celebrates the valuable contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce, highlighting their skills while promoting inclusivity and equity. Congratulations to this year's honorees representing 53 businesses across New York State. These awardees have created work environments that recognize and utilize all employees' unique and diverse abilities, creating more inclusive and accessible workplaces for all."