Michael McCullough of PRIDE Industries shares how getting a job impacted his life, and encourages people with disabilities to seek employment.
People with Disabilities
The fully accessible event was hosted by PRIDE Industries in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Roseville, Calif – PRIDE Industries, the leading employer of people with disabilities, hosted its first annual I AM ABLE Disability Job Fair on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.The event, held during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, garnered significant interest, with over 600 candidates with disabilities in attendance.
“PRIDE Industries’ first I AM ABLE Disability Job Fair was a resounding success, reinforcing the importance of equal employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities,” said Jeff Dern, President and CEO at PRIDE Industries. “The event highlighted the commitment of employers in the Sacramento Region to create a more inclusive workforce. It served as a platform for candidates to showcase their skills and for employers to recognize the immense talent within the disability community.”
More than 20 companies participated in the job fair, including Raley’s, UC Davis Health, Amazon, Shriner’s Hospital, Tri Counties Bank, Sacramento Regional Transit, Sacramento Superior Court, Golden1 Credit Union, Audacy, California State University, Sacramento, Thunder Valley Casino and Resort, California Department of Transportation, and First Northern Bank. “These organizations demonstrated their commitment to diversity and inclusion by actively recruiting job seekers with disabilities,” said Dern.
Businesses at the event were able to interview dozens of qualified job seekers. “The quality of the candidates we met is tremendous,” said Daniel Chapnick, Talent Programs Specialist for Raley’s. “It’s clear they’re highly motivated and enthusiastic—just what we’re looking for.”
In addition to businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies that support the disability community were on hand to offer important employment resources.
“This event gave us a wonderful opportunity to meet with and actively assist dozens of people with disabilities,” said Spencer Hoke, Regional Business Specialist at the California Department of Rehabilitation.
The I AM ABLE Job Fair is the only disability job fair in the region, and it’s unique for another reason as well: It was created by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. The event was designed and vetted by an “Accessibility Team” whose members are deaf, blind, autistic, or use wheelchairs. Accessibility for all was a top priority, and in order to accommodate the diverse needs of participants, the event offered on-site American Sign Language (ASL) translators, Braille signage, Spanish interpreters, a quiet interview space, light rail transportation, and service animal water and relief areas.
During the job fair, PRIDE Industries offered resume critiques and interview assistance to job candidates. Prior to the job fair, online training on how to maximize their job fair experience was provided. And, training webinars were conducted for employers, in order to educate them on effective engagement with candidates with disabilities.
Plans are already underway for next year’s I AM ABLE Disability Job Fair.
“We were expecting 200 job seekers, and more than 600 joined us today,” said Dern. “The extraordinary turnout we had today makes it clear just how important it is to make more job fairs like this one available.”
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 placement 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.
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The nonprofit social enterprise was recognized for its commitment to building an inclusive workforce.
NEW YORK, NY – PRIDE Industries has just been named a 2023 Leading Disability Employer by the National Organization on Disability (NOD), earning the right to display the NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal. This important recognition, given once a year, spotlights the transformative contributions made by business leaders in promoting employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. It also honors those organizations that prioritize diversity, equity and importantly, accessibility, setting a high standard for others to follow.
“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. “PRIDE Industries has embraced inclusivity for more than five decades. And that’s why I can say with certainty that a diverse workforce is a strong workforce.”
Leading Disability Employer Seal recipients are determined based on data provided by companies on the NOD Employment Tracker™. The Tracker is the only free assessment tool that helps companies understand which employment practices correlate to improved talent outcomes related to hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities. It benchmarks organizations of any size in six disability and veterans’ inclusion focus areas, including strategy, talent outcome metrics, climate and culture, talent sourcing, people practices, and workplace tools and accessibility.
“Organizations like PRIDE Industries understand that by harnessing the talents of people with disabilities, they reap the benefits of a more innovative, diverse and dedicated workforce,” said NOD President Carol Glazer. “The Leading Disability Employer Seal honors organizations who have not only embraced inclusivity but have taken concrete steps to break down barriers for individuals with disabilities and create an environment for all to thrive.”
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 placement 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.
