News & Information > News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 27, 2011		                     CONTACT:
Melanie Mowry Etters
Communications Director
(850) 488-4257

State Honors Nine Disability-Friendly Companies

TALLAHASSEE, FL— The state of Florida recognized nine businesses today in Tallahassee for being exceptional employers of people with disabilities. The large celebration was held at Tallahassee City Hall, 300 South Adams Street, as part of recognizing October as Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Director Mike Hansen, Deputy Director of Blind Services Ellen McCarron, and Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Bill Palmer presented today’s awards that honor businesses for their commitment to hiring people with disabilities.

The award-winning businesses are:

  • Citrus Memorial Health System of Inverness
  • Florida Department of Revenue
  • Five Guys Burgers and Fries of Central Florida
  • Great Explorations Children's Museum of St. Petersburg
  • Hyatt Hotels of Florida
  • Loews Miami Beach Hote l
  • Marriott Global Reservations and Customer Care Center
  • My Best Friend’s Kitchen of Panama City
  • Sacred Heart Hospital of Pensacola

Governor Rick Scott said, "I am proud to see that a state agency was recognized as a leader in providing employment opportunities to persons with disabilities. As we work to bring more jobs to Florida, we need to make sure individuals with disabilities are a part of the workforce. I encourage Florida's businesses to learn more about how to utilize this pool of talent to help them get to work."

APD Director Hansen said, "I am thrilled to be able to recognize Florida companies who give all people a chance at employment. Businesses report that individuals with disabilities provide a great return on their investment. In general, these employees rarely miss work, are extremely loyal to their employers, and are conscientious in performing their duties."

Tallahassee Assistant City Manager Tom Coe welcomed people to the event and spoke about the city’s diverse workforce. The newly appointed Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on Jobs for Floridians with Disabilities David Darm shared his thoughts on increasing employment opportunities in our state. Also, Chief Operating Officer for the new Department of Economic Opportunity Cynthia Lorenzo discussed the agency’s work to help individuals with disabilities find work.

Disabled veteran Mark McDuffie spoke about his experiences recovering from a bomb blast in Iraq, and the difference employment makes in his life. Another speaker was Danny Jordan, who has Down syndrome. He spoke about what his job at Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee means to him.

Here is more information on the winners:
  • Citrus Memorial Health System of Inverness
  • Citrus Memorial has supported the employment of people with disabilities for more than a decade. The hospital currently employs five people with disabilities. These individuals have proven that they can work independently. Most of these individuals work to keep the facility clean and welcoming for the public.
  • Florida Department of Revenue
  • This state agency has gone above and beyond in making sure employees with disabilities are welcomed and accommodated. This past year, the agency approved and made 48 accommodation requests. Additionally, the agency has partnered with Blind Services for an On-the-Job Training program where 16 individuals have benefitted. Participants with visual disabilities convert paper documents into electronic documents for the department.
  • Five Guys Burgers and Fries of Central Florida
  • This franchise has 16 stores and the management welcomes individuals with disabilities as part of its workforce on a regular basis. 35 out of 400 employees have disabilities. In addition, the restaurants strongly participate in Disability Mentoring Day each year, and have hosted 100 mentees for DMD.
  • Great Explorations Children's Museum of St. Petersburg
  • Currently, the museum has 11 employees with disabilities of the 40 individuals on its payroll—that means about 28 percent of employees have disabilities. Many have significant challenges. This employer has developed unique job opportunities to capitalize on each employee’s talents, and has also made accommodations where needed.
  • Hyatt Hotels of Florida
  • Hyatt Hotels have a rich history of embracing people with disabilities. Over the past 14 years, they have allowed 1,200 individuals with disabilities to train in their hotels. They are a longtime partner with the culinary training program called Hands On Educational Services. In addition, Hyatt has hired more than 120 people with disabilities.
  • Loews Miami Beach Hotel
  • Loews currently employs 14 people with disabilities, which is about 2 percent of its workforce. Management actively recruits those with disabilities when a position is open. Once hired, the hotel makes sure the individuals have the training and support needed to succeed.
  • Marriott Global Reservations and Customer Care Center
  • The call center has hired 17 employees with disabilities including 14 with visual disabilities. Marriott lengthened its training course to ensure those with disabilities received adequate training. Accommodations were made, like adding Braille to the snack machines and microwaves, and creating an area for motorized scooters and wheelchairs. Also, some employees are allowed to work from home.
  • My Best Friend’s Kitchen of Panama City
  • The restaurant’s owner, Kathie Riley, has employed four people with disabilities since opening her restaurant doors in 2007. Many have participated in on-the-job training. Riley is an active participant in Disability Mentoring Day each October. She also works with a local adult day training program and pays individuals to roll silverware for her restaurant. She also holds fundraisers to support employment programs for individuals with disabilities.
  • Sacred Heart Hospital of Pensacola
  • The hospital began an effort 10 years ago to employ individuals with disabilities and has more than 25 who are working in all aspects of patient care. Employees with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and other disabilities are in the hospital’s workforce. Sacred Heart Hospital employees mentor local students with disabilities. Sacred Heart also sponsors an Autism Camp for students during the summer, and is partnering with the Escambia and Santa Rosa school districts’ on-the-job-training programs to help students with disabilities develop job skills

APD annually serves more than 50,000 Floridians with developmental disabilities of autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, spina bifida, and Prader-Willi syndrome.

For more information on the agency, call 1-866-APD-CARES or visit APDcares.org.