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New Yorkers with disabilities to be celebrated at NYSID annual meeting

by jmaloni

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Sat, Sep 14th 2013 02:30 am

Individuals, not-for-profits, businesses and local governments to be honored for work Sept. 16

New York State Industries for the Disabled Inc. will hold its annual corporate event on Monday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m., at The Saratoga Hilton in Saratoga Springs, during which job creation for people with disabilities will take center stage.

Individuals employed on preferred source contracts, not-for-profits, small businesses, state universities and local governments will all be recognized for their work to create jobs for New Yorkers with disabilities.

"This year's honorees provide incredible examples of how much New York state benefits by having a workforce that is inclusive of persons with disabilities," said Ron Romano, NYSID president and CEO. "While New Yorkers with disabilities continue to face discrimination and other barriers in pursuing employment, this year's honorees have stepped up and provided tremendous leadership to reverse that trend."

In addition, the Marine Corps League Department of New York will present a plaque to NYSID and its members for their relief efforts in the aftermath of "Superstorm" Sandy. NYSID contributed funds on behalf of its members to the Marine Corps League Foundation toward the purchase of supplies for the victims of Sandy and coordinated the transport of supplies to Staten Island.

Among those who will present the plaque to NYSID are Bill McGowan, commandant of the Marine Corps League Department of New York; Tim Forbes, past commandant of the Marine Corps League Department of New York; and Bob Becker, past commandant of the National Marine Corps League and the Marine Corps League Department of New York.

Awards will be presented to William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award co-recipients:

Marc Smith, employed by The Altamont Program Inc. in Schenectady

Donald Huckins, employed by The Arc Otsego in Oneonta

The William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award is NYSID's most prestigious people-centered award.

NYSID's annual Joslin Awards Program celebrates excellence in preferred source employment by New Yorkers with disabilities. In its 10th year, NYSID's Joslin Awards Program has recognized 475 outstanding performers, and awarded 11 of those individuals with the final William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award. All outstanding performers receive a certificate of achievement and cash award, and are featured in an annual yearbook.

Smith is a porter for The Altamont Program Inc. in Schenectady and works at the Corning Tower in Albany; Huckins works as a trainee with The Arc Otsego's Vocational Training Center in Oneonta. They were selected from a group of 59 outstanding performers recognized by NYSID member agencies in 2013.

"These days I hold my head up high and eagerly anticipate a future that I thought would never be possible. The Altamont Program Inc. and NYSID have given me a window into tomorrow for which I will be forever grateful," Smith said.

"I am proud of being nominated for the Joslin Award. I really worked for it. I set my goals really high and I am proud of achieving them," Huckins said.

Awards also will be presented to:

Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc. (A.V.R.E.) in Binghamton, Member Agency of the Year

Employee of the Year: The Copy Paper Team

CASO, Inc. in New York City, Corporate Partner of the Year

Employee of the Year: Chantal St. Clair

City University of New York Smithtown Central School District, Customer of the Year co-recipients

Established in 1975, NYSID is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that creates employment opportunities for nearly 7,000 New Yorkers with disabilities annually. Its offerings are approved by the state Office of General Services and include janitorial, document imaging, industrial laundry, office temps, and other services, as well as a wide range of products assembled, packaged and/or manufactured by people with disabilities. NYSID's community rehabilitation member agencies and private sector business partners are located throughout the state, providing vocational assistance programs to their respective communities.

For more information, visit http://www.nysid.org.

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