Six nonprofit organizations that provide vital services for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities will honor businesses that employ members of this community during a recognition summit on Oct. 16, 2025. To register for this free event, email jharpp@inflightinc.org.
The National Disability Employment Awareness Month Employer Recognition Summit is being coordinated by Hudson Valley Service Providers, a consortium of 22 Hudson Valley agencies that provide quality, community-based support for people, and their families, with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“We salute these numerous local businesses that, with vision and empathy, reap the numerous benefits of hiring people with developmental or intellectual disabilities,” said Dr. Jeffery Fox, Chair of Hudson Valley Service Providers and CEO of Abilities First. “Inclusive employment settings typically see excellent productivity, access to a broad pool of talent, superb loyalty and a culture that broadens perspectives for fellow employees and customers.”
Businesses to be honored and additional awards to be bestowed:
- Employer, Less than 25 Employees: Beck’s Hardware, with five Hudson Valley locations, nominated by Independent Living Inc. Beck’s Hardware has put forth exemplary efforts to accommodate people with disabilities and encourage their success in the workplace.
- Employer, 25 to 99 Employees: AFYA Foundation, which improves health outcomes by rescuing surplus medical supplies and matching them to compromised and under-resourced health systems locally and globally. The AFYA Foundation, nominated by Jawonio, consistently demonstrated extraordinary commitment to community, inclusion and global service.
- Employer, 100 to 499 Employees: Resorts World Catskill in Monticello, nominated by New Hope Community of Loch Sheldrake. Resorts World Catskill has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to equitable workplace culture, serving as a model for other employers seeking to build meaningful, representative talent pipelines.
- Employer, 500 or More Employees: Town of Cortlandt Department of Environmental Services, nominated by Community Based Services. The Town of Cortlandt, in Westchester County, is an outstanding partner in creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
- Youth Employment Award: Perkins American Food Co., nominated by Abilities First. Perkins has opened its doors to hosting situational assessments and internships, and giving young people with disabilities the chance to explore real-world job settings and build critical workplace skills.
- Employment Innovation Award: Target, Nominated by Access: Supports for Living. Target is being honored for numerous innovative programs and policies that create a diverse and inclusive workplace culture and inclusive talent pool.
The 35th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act also will be recognized. This federal civil rights law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public services, public accommodations and transportation. It requires employers and service providers to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and outlaws discrimination in hiring, promotion and other terms of employment.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is observed every October to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and promote inclusive employment practices.
The Employer Recognition Summit keynote speaker will be Lynne Thibdeau, State of the State Project Manager for the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. The Office coordinates and provides services through a network of 500 organizations, with about 80% of services provided by private nonprofits and 20% provided by state-run agencies.
The Recognition Summit will be held at the Powelton Club, 23 Old Balmville Road, Newburgh, N.Y., from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A full breakfast will be served. This is a free event and anyone can register by sending a request by email to Jean Harpp at jharpp@inflightinc.org.
