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
Nov. 3, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Fond du Lac County Historical Society Recognized for Diverse and Inclusive Hiring Practices

FOND DU LAC – Gloria Nelson has onboarded many volunteers and staff as the events and operations manager for the Fond du Lac County Historical Society, which manages 30 buildings. This includes providing temporary work experiences for state vocational rehabilitation consumers under a partnership that Nelson terms a win-win.

"Sometimes people just need somebody to come alongside them and just give them a chance to realize what they can do, and they find they can do more than they thought they could," Nelson said.

Because of its diverse and inclusive hiring practices that welcome individuals with disabilities into its workforce, the Fond du Lac County Historical Society has been recognized as an Exemplary Employer by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DWD/DVR).

"The Fond du Lac County Historical Society has gone above and beyond in creating opportunities for people with disabilities to thrive in the workforce," DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said. "In doing so, the organization is also creating a more inclusive and equitable Wisconsin for everyone."

DVR officials presented the company with the award this week during an event at the Fond du Lac County Historical Society. The award was presented as Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed October National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Wisconsin to highlight businesses that recruit and hire people with disabilities. Last year, more than 2,000 employers created more inclusive workplaces in Wisconsin. The Fond du Lac County Historical Society was one of 25 businesses recognized throughout the month for leading the way to building a more diverse workforce in the state.

The award ceremony featured remarks from DVR Business Services Consultant Nicole Greetan, DVR Counselor Kate Bauer, DVR Business Services Section Chief Patti Johnson, and Nelson.

All Wisconsin employers are encouraged to reach out to 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.

The Fond du Lac County Historical Society was presented with Gov. Tony Evers' Exemplary Employer Award on Monday, Oct. 30, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The award is given to employers who demonstrate diverse and inclusive hiring practices. Pictured from left to right: DVR Counselor Kate Bauer; Fond du Lac County Historical Society Events and Operations Manager Gloria Nelson; DVR Business Services Section Chief Patti Johnson; and Laura Breckenridge with Achieve FDL, LLC, a local service provider.

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.

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.