Learn how Raley’s Supermarkets fosters an inclusive workforce and you can too.
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Kat Maudru
PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.
NDEAM 2022
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM). Established by Congress in 1988 and observed each October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present, and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices.
As the nation’s leading employer of people with disabilities, PRIDE Industries welcomes this attention to people who can contribute so much to the workforce but face many hidden and visible obstacles to employment.
Follow us to learn how to build a more inclusive workplace and enjoy the gifts and skills of employees with all abilities.
Media Contact
Kat Maudru
PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.
PRIDE Industries SVP/Chief Workforce Inclusion Officer Dr. Jennifer Camota Luebke spoke to LinkedIn for Nonprofits during National Disability Employment Awareness Month about disability inclusion in the nonprofit sector.
Discover her tips for building more inclusive programs, workforces, and hiring processes below.
Media Contact
Kat Maudru
PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.
The nationwide campaign recognizes the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive American workforce.
Roseville, Calif. – PRIDE Industries, the nation’s leading employer of people with disabilities, today celebrates its participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Established by Congress in 1988 and observed each October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices.
In 2021, 31.4 percent of employment-aged persons with a disability were employed, while 72.5 percent of persons without a disability were employed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since 1966, PRIDE Industries has worked to bridge this gap by hiring people with disabilities to provide award winning facilities management, manufacturing, and inclusive talent services. The goal of this work is an inclusive world where people of all abilities have equal access to employment.
“NDEAM’s message this year, ‘Disability: Part of the Equity Equation,’ is vital as workers with disabilities are often left out of conversations about workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Jeff Dern, President and CEO of PRIDE Industries. “With more than half our 5,000 employees disclosing disabilities, PRIDE Industries and our customers have proven that people with diverse abilities provide tremendous value to businesses.”
This year, PRIDE Industries is creating awareness around hiring individuals with neurodiverse conditions such as Dyslexia, Developmental Coordination Disorder, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Conditions, and Dyscalculia.
“Intentionally including neurodiverse talent in the workplace can be a strategic enabler to a company’s success,” said Dr. Jennifer Camota Luebke, Chief Workforce Inclusion Officer at PRIDE Industries. “Using assistive technology, implementing inclusion training for neurotypical coworkers, and providing job support for neurodivergent employees are ways to create a truly inclusive workplace and a diverse workforce.”
Promoting Awareness for More Inclusive Employment
Throughout the month, PRIDE Industries and some of its 300-plus customers will share employee and customer success stories in both English and Spanish and promote workplace inclusion.
For example, in May, PRIDE Industries partnered with the County of San Diego to host “Jay’s Program,” a recruiting event to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities for paid internships with county departments.
Since 2021, the social enterprise’s I AM ABLE Employment Helpline has assisted over 1,860 individuals in their journey toward employment. And PRIDE Industries partners with companies of all sizes to provide recruitment services and workforce inclusion training to private and public organizations nationwide.
PRIDE Industries was recognized, for a second consecutive year, as a 2022 Top Disability-Friendly Company by DIVERSEability Magazine and, also for a second consecutive year, as a 2022 Leading Disability Employer by the National Organization on Disability (NOD).
“We encourage employers and employees in all industries to learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month at www.dol.gov/NDEAM,“ said Dern. “Every day, we prove the value of an inclusive workforce model through our operational success across multiple industries. We show company leaders that if we can do it, so can they.”
About PRIDE Industries
PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, and staffing services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. Through personalized employment services, we help individuals realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. PRIDE Industries proves the value of its inclusive workforce model through operational success across multiple industries every day.
Media Contact
Kat Maudru
PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.
The nonprofit social enterprise was recognized for its vision to create a world where people of all abilities have equal access to employment.
Roseville, Calif. – PRIDE Industries was honored as a 2022 National Organization on Disability (NOD) Leading Disability Employer at the group’s annual forum. Now in its eighth year, the NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal recognizes companies for adopting exemplary employment practices for people with disabilities.
This is PRIDE Industries’ second consecutive year to be acknowledged.
“As the nation’s leading employer of people with disabilities, we are honored to once again be recognized by the National Organization on Disability,” said Jeff Dern, President and CEO of PRIDE Industries. “Every day, we prove the value of an inclusive workforce model through our operational success across multiple industries. We show company leaders that if we can do it, so can they.”
This year’s annual forum was titled: NOD at 40: Honoring the Past; Innovating the Future. The winning organizations were recognized before an audience of more than 300 corporate partners, disability rights advocates, and civic leaders in the nation’s capital. The Forum was emceed by Michael Smerconish, veteran political commentator, and the host of programs on both CNN and SiriusXM.
“For the past forty years, the National Organization on Disability has envisioned a world where all people with disabilities enjoy full opportunity for employment, enterprise and earnings and employers know how to make the most of their talents,” said NOD President Carol Glazer. “I congratulate all of this year’s winners for their leadership and commitment to hiring and retaining people with disabilities. Together we can reimagine the future by harnessing the power, creativity, and innovation of disability-inclusive diversity in the workplace, marketplace, and communities across America.”
About PRIDE Industries
PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, and staffing services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. Through personalized employment services, we help individuals realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. PRIDE Industries proves the value of its inclusive workforce model through operational success across multiple industries every day.
About National Organization on Disability (NOD)
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) is a private, non-profit organization that seeks to increase employment opportunities for the 60-percent of working age Americans with disabilities who are not employed. To achieve this goal, NOD offers a suite of employment solutions, tailored to anticipate, and meet leading companies’ workforce needs. NOD has helped some of the world’s most recognized brands be more competitive in today’s global economy by building or enriching their disability inclusion programs. For more information about NOD and how its portfolio of professional services, Leadership Council and Employment Tracker™ can help your business, visit www.NOD.org.
Media Contact
Kat Maudru
PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.
