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. 11, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Medford Motors Recognized for Diverse and Inclusive Hiring Practices

MEDFORD – Ask Dustin Phillips if he loves his job as a detailer at Medford Motors, and the answer will be an enthusiastic "Yeah!"

"He really enjoys it, he loves the work," says Phillips' father, Michael Phillips. "They say everyone who meets him observes that he's always got a smile on his face. It never stops."

Phillips, along with coworker Michael Paulson, joined Medford Motors through connections with Black River Industries (BRI) Inc., a local organization that assists people with disabilities in achieving career and other goals. Now, because of its diverse and inclusive hiring practices that welcome individuals with disabilities into its workforce, Medford Motors has been recognized as an Exemplary Employer by Gov. Evers' Administration.

“Medford Motors serves as a great example of how local employers can meet their hiring and retention needs by building a workforce with skilled and motivated employees who reflect the diversity of our state," Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Amy Pechacek said. “Medford Motors demonstrates that hiring people with disabilities is not only the right thing to do, but it's good for business, too."

DWD Assistant Deputy Secretary Jennifer Sereno presented Medford Motors with an Exemplary Employer award on Oct. 10. Medford Motors is one of 25 businesses being recognized throughout October, which Gov. Evers proclaimed as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Last year, more than 2,000 employers created more inclusive workplaces in Wisconsin by hiring people with disabilities. DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) provided funding, work incentives benefits planning and on-the-job assessments for Medford Motors' hires.

"At Medford Motors, we believe finding opportunities is the right thing to do," Medford Motors owner David Lemke said. "Helping people in our hometown may not change the world, but it allows us to influence our part of it."

All Wisconsin employers are encouraged to reach out to the DVR and 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.

Dustin Phillips, far left, and Michael Paulson, far right, were hired to work at Medford Motors and helped the company celebrate receiving an Exemplary Employer Award at an Oct. 10 event.

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, Instagram, X, and YouTube.