U.S. Cellular honored at 2009 AbiltyLinks Expo
U.S. Cellular, one of the nations leading wireless carriers received the AbilityLinks Visionary Award for providing exceptional leadership, mentoring and job opportunities for persons with disabilities, one of the many highlights of the 2009 AbilityLinks Conference and Employment Expo held last month in Downers Grove, Illinois to promote employment of persons with disabilities.
2009 AbilityLinks Conference and Employment Expo exhibit hall
More than 300 disabled job seekers and businesses seeking to increase their disability diversity attended educational sessions on disability awareness and employment, participated in a job fair and heard Jeffrey Childs, U.S. Cellular Senior Vice President of Human Resources speak about the company’s successful approach to diversity and inclusion.
Kathleen Yosko, Marianjoy, Jeffrey Childs, U.S. Cellular, Visionary Award winner Patrick Kronenwetter, Wolin, Kelter & Rosen, Ltd., Marianjoy Board of Directors
“U.S. Cellular’s commitment to diversity goes beyond words and company policy,” said Kathleen Yosko Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital President and CEO and AbilityLinks Steering Committee Co Chair, “especially when it comes to including deaf and hard of hearing associates.”
The company ensures that associates with specific needs are accommodated by providing sign language interpreters for large meetings and “video relay service," a telecommunication technology that enables conversations between deaf associates and co workers or customers in real-time via remote access sign language interpreters. Besides enhancing productivity, the technology can promote the employee's social inclusion.
U.S. Cellular diversity and recruitment team members
U.S. Cellular was one of three organizations and individuals receiving special recognition during an awards luncheon that was an important part of the conference. Timothy Gomez accepted the AbilityLinks Spirit Award for overcoming disability related barriers to becoming successfully employed.
Mr. Gomez, with help from AbilityLinks, found employment as an Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS/DRS) Counselor after completing a master’s degree in counseling from Wheaton College one year ago.
Jeff Standerfer, DHS/DRS, Marilyn Liwanag, DHS/DRS, Advocacy in Action Award winner, Lou Hammer, DHS/DRS, Timothy Gomez DHS/DRS, Spirit Award winner (seated)
Marilyn Liwanag, Office Supervisor, accepted the AbilityLinks Advocacy in Action Award for the DHS/DRS Downers Grove office. Besides funding more than 150 job seekers attending the conference, Ms. Liwanag and her staff were recognized for continuously encouraging their customers to use AbilityLinks.org to find jobs and fill openings.
While business representatives were busy learning about effective strategies for disability inclusion, job seekers and vocational rehabilitation service providers participated in training on: building a business wardrobe on a limited budget, practice job interviews, how to navigate the world of online applications, consultation on starting a small business, how to focus your networking efforts and effective strategies for voluntary disclosure of disability.
Jennifer Dang, Marianjoy Human Resources Manager networks with an AbilityLinks job seeker
At the end of the day Job seekers met in a packed exhibit hall to network with 43 representatives from colleges and universities, job training programs, government agencies and recruiters from major Chicago area companies.
“I was pleased to see so many businesses and determined job seekers here today, said Ms. Yosko, “and thankful for the commitment of all of our sponsors and volunteers, especially the major support AbilityLinks, a program of Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital received from Northern Trust Bank, Benedictine University, Nicor and the DoubleTree Guest Suites.”
Thanks Sponsors
Northern Trust
Benedictine University
Nicor
DoubleTree Guest Suites and Conference Center
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
U.S. Cellular
Martin-Brower
Check & Siress
Advanced O & P Solutions
RR Donnelley
Amgen
SPR Companies
nAblement
SMA Greater Chicago
DuPage Workforce Board
Alliant Credit Union
Sargent & Lundy
Thanks Planning Committee Members
Benedictine University
College of DuPage
Donka, Inc.
Illinois DCEO Illinois Entrepreneurship Network
Illinois DHS/DRS
DuPage Center for Independent Living
Thanks Exhibitors
Advanced O & P Solutions
Advocate Health Care
Alliant Credit Union
Aurico Reports
Aurico Reports
Benedictine University
Bethesda Lutheran Homes
Ceres Food Group, Inc.
Comcast
CompTIA Educational Foundation
Cook County President's Office (POET)
Costco
DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center
DeVry University
disabilityworks
Donka, Inc.
DRS Work Incentive Planning and Assistance
Elmhurst Life Skills Academy
Equip for Equality
First Institute
Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities
Hilton Hotels of Chicagoland
IDHS/Division of Rehabilitation Services
Illinois Small Business Development Center at College of DuPage
Illinois workNet Center Arlington Heights
Illinois workNet Center DuPage
Internal Revenue Services
Marianjoy
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
MobilityWorks
monster
Northern Trust
Office of Federal Contract Compliance
OfficeMax
Scheck & Siress
Social Security Administration
SPR Companies/nAblement
U.S. Cellular
Victor C. Neumann
Walgreens
Get involved with AbilityLinks today! Visit www.abilitylinks.org: The Job Opportunity Website for Persons with Disabilities and Inclusive Employers or contact Ken Skord, AbilityLinks Program Director at kskord@abilitylinks.org or 630/909-7440.
AbilityLinks is a program of Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.