More than 50 million people in the U.S. report having a disability. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for those with a disability is more than 16%, almost twice the rate for those with no disability.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness month, and one Charlotte company is leading the way when it comes to hiring people with disabilities.
Chartwells, a member of Charlotte-based Compass Group North America, provides dining services for UNC Charlotte as well as 230 other higher education establishments across the country. The organization has been working with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont since 2008, and has hired more than 35 individuals with disabilities with the help of the organizationâs Vocational Coaching Services program.
One of those individuals is Gloria, who because of a mild learning disability had a hard time maintaining a job for years. However, after working with a Goodwill Vocational Coaching specialist, she has now been a respected and high-performing employee of Chartwells for more than 2 years. âWhen I interviewed, I felt like I was at home,â she said. âIt wasnât five minutes later that myjob coach called me to tell me I had the job.â Gloria is tasked with keeping everything in the dining area clean, and UNCC students enjoy her company. âThey call me Mama Glo, and I know that they appreciate what I do for them,â she said.
According to Danita Dorsey, who directs the Crown Commons dining facility at UNCC, the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities have far outweighed any concerns. They are well-prepared and trained for the job because of the one-on-one attention they receive from Goodwillâs job coaches. âThese employees show up for work on time, they work hard and they have a positive attitude,â Dorsey said. âThe partnership with Goodwill is key, because they know our business and they help us put the right people in the right jobs.â
âPeople with disabilities generally have above average records of job performance and dependability,â said Michael Elder, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. âDiversity in the workplace includes people with disabilities, and we commend companies like Chartwells who are leading the way in employing a diverse workforce.â
To learn more about Goodwillâs Vocational Coaching services, please click here or call 704-372-3434.
