Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 05, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Wisconsin Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Gov. Evers' Administration Recognizes Employers for Diverse & Inclusive Hiring Practices

MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers has proclaimed October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Wisconsin to acknowledge the vital role people with disabilities play in supporting and enhancing the state economy.

DVR Administrator Delora Newton, left, presents SKCO McDonald's Owners Sean and Kate Kennedy and Area Manger Sandy Bernard, right, with Gov. Evers' Exemplary Employer award on Thursday, October 5, 2023, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. SKCO McDonald's has hired 20 DVR job seekers across their seven locations in the greater Milwaukee area.

"Wisconsin employers that recruit, retain, and support the success of workers of various abilities are serving as good examples for others to follow," Gov. Evers said. “We want to help all Wisconsin employers build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state, and we believe that when we all work together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable Wisconsin for everyone."

On Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) recognized SKCO McDonald's of West Allis as an exemplary employer for its diverse and inclusive hiring practices that welcome individuals with disabilities into the workplace. The company's seven locations across the greater Milwaukee area have hired 20 people with disabilities in the past year.

The exemplary employer award from Gov. Evers is one of more than two dozen being presented this month to Wisconsin employers. The awards celebrate the employers' outstanding efforts to recruit and hire people with disabilities, and they encourage other businesses to provide opportunities for this skilled, dedicated, and capable workforce.

"Exemplary employers demonstrate that hiring people with disabilities is not only the right thing to do, but it's good for business, too," DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said. "We applaud the positive impacts that exemplary employers such as SKCO McDonald's are having on our state's communities, workforce and economy."

All Wisconsin employers are encouraged to reach out to DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to meet with a local Business Services Consultant who can connect them with a variety of free resources to help recruit and hire people with disabilities, build staff diversity, and retain well-trained employees.

DVR helped over 3,350 Wisconsin residents with disabilities find work over the past year. Individuals with a disability looking for ways to find a job, keep a job, or get a better job are encouraged to contact DVR at 800-262-0050, visit a local DVR office, or visit the DVR website.

New Job Accommodations Training

To help provide employers with educational resources to diversify their workplace and create work environments that help retain employees, and to give employees information about their rights and responsibilities in the workforce, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) has created new online accommodation trainings for employers, workers, and job seekers.

The Accommodation Training Library consists of brief, informational videos that cover topics, including hiring people with disabilities, the reasonable accommodation process, disclosing a disability, disability discrimination, and other topics related to employment law. The new accommodation training videos can be found on the DWD Career Pathways website.

The videos were created as part of a U.S. Department of Education Career Pathways Advancement (CPA) Initiative grant awarded to DVR in 2021. The CPA Initiative is allowing DVR to create resources and opportunities to support DVR consumers as they advance in their careers.

Representatives from DVR, SKCO McDonalds, and Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin pose for a photo on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the West Allis McDonalds following a ceremony recognizing SKCO McDonalds' dedication to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce.

ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.