Karen Walters, QFC Human Resources Specialist/Bellevue, WA & WSBLN Chairperson said, "It is QFC's vision to always be known as the neighborhood market, where the highest quality foods are sold in the cleanest stores, by the friendliest people, at surprisingly affordable prices. Our core values are honesty, integrity, respect for others, divinity inclusion and safety. Living up to our vision and core values is where we established our goals for our recruiting practices, which include hiring people with disabilities." Read More...
Ross B. Hansen, President of Northwest Territorial Mint, in Auburn, WA said: It's good to receive recognition for doing the right thing. We've made these hires because these were the right individuals for the job. These are good employees, and they help us produce the world-class custom die-struck coins and medallions for which we're known.
Matt Poischbeg, Vice President/General Manager of Sea-Lect Plastics Corporation in Everett, WA knows that sometimes it is a struggle for people with disabilities to find jobs. He wants to give them an opportunity to develop their skills. Matt understands that having a job can help a person's self-esteem.
Daniel Angellar, General Manager/Redmond Marriott Towne Center said, As a leader in the hospitality industry, we often partner with great organizations such as DVR and Mainstay. We find it with great pleasure to work with persons of
indispensabilities and all they can contribute
to our workforce.
Kelly Fox, Manager of Dunn Lumber of Normandy Park, WA said,
Craig is an asset to the entire Dunn Lumber Company because of his positive attitude, independent work skills and his willingness to do what is asked of him. His energy flowed over
to the other employee's causing an increase in
productivity and morale.
Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center/Seattle, WA.
On Oct. 15, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Children's was named Large Non-profit Employer of the Year by the Washington State Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment.This award recognizes the success of Project SEARCH, a program committed to recruiting and placing individuals with developmental disabilities in entry-level positions throughout the hospital since 2004. Currently there are 20 permanent positions and seven student internships filled by Project SEARCH participants.The program is grounded in making great hires by ensuring a good fit between the work and the employee," says Debra Gumbardo, MS, RN director Child Psychiatry and Rehabilitation Programs. "Project SEARCH underscores our commitment to diversity by hiring staff members who reflect the community we serve. Lisa Fox, program manager, also emphasizes the importance of a diverse workforce at Children's. "When parents see Project SEARCH employees working here, they see the possibility of a future for their child as an employable adult. And our coworkers see their patients as future employees," she says.The most important task is to find a good fit between a job and an employee and provide a workgroup environment that values this diversity. Jennifer Abermanis, Vice President, Diagnostic, Therapeutic & Support.
Susie Burdick CEO - Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center (HSDC)
Seattle, WA said, "at the Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center (HSDC) we understand the incredible contributions all people including those with disabilities make to our work, our community and our sector. By being both inclusive and accessible to employees with disabilities, we have benefited from the richness a diverse workforce can bring to an organizations. We work to make leadership opportunities available and support the growth and development of these exceptional leaders. It is not hard to be accessible and inclusive. It is good business and the right thing to do. (Note: While not being an agency whose mission is to employ people with disabilities, 40% of the HSDC's workforce are people with disabilities most of whom are in leadership positions.)"
Tracy Wolpert, CEO /Puget Consumers Cooperatives in Seattle,WA said, PCC Natural Markets has thrived for more than half a century due largely to the diversity, skills and contributions of our employee's. Our partnership with Puget Sound Personnel demonstrates what can be achieved when personal abilities are matched with employment opportunities in a workplace environment of encouragement and support. We are proud and grateful that our work force currently includes five Puget Sound Personnel place employees, which is to the benefit of all involved.
Matt Storey/Owner of Direct Interactions, a call center provider that utilizes agents working from home instead of in a traditional office. The home-based call center business model enables people with disabilities to work as call center agents and balance the needs of their families and their careers. Direct Interactions' clients in the home improvement industry are very excited about the feedback they have received from homeowners regarding their customer service. Recently, a Direct Interactions agent received the following "thank you" email from Kristi, a Seattle-area homeowner: "Thanks Tami. Ask Mac is extremely fortunate to have you! I hope they pay you well and take care of you, because you do a great job and make the rough times easier to swallow. So thank you again." Matt says: "The key to our business is having great people that are fun to work with and committed to serving customers. People with disabilities comprise more than half of our staff and are the primary reason our home-based support model has been successful."
"NEW"... In June 2009, three members of the Direct Interactions' team appeared on Voices of Diversity, a local radio and TV show at Bellevue College.
Voices of Diversity is an hour-long public affairs talk show produced by volunteers at KBCS. The program airs Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Voices of Diversity seeks to tell the untold stories in our community as well as celebrate the diversity of cultural expression found in the Northwest. Click Here for the Voices of Diversity coverage.
TecAccess, Debra Ruh, Founder and President of 
TecAccess,......WASHINGTON, DC (March 10, 2008) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) announced today that The Goochland Gazette has published, "Business Built on People," detailing the inspiring story of one of its members, TecAccess, an award-winning provider of accessible technology and workforce solutions. TecAccess, Debra Ruh, Founder and President of TecAccess, currently serves on the USBLN® board of directors, and has been a leading voice in Virginia promoting diversity in the workplace.
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