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On October 16, the spirit of inclusion and progress was alive and well at the Powelton Club in Newburgh, NY, where the Hudson Valley Service Providers—a consortium of 22 agencies including CBS—hosted the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Employer Recognition Summit. This year’s summit was especially meaningful as it also marked the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark piece of legislation that continues to shape a more equitable world.
The summit was more than a celebration—it was a powerful reminder of the work still needed to ensure equal employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. CBS was proud to honor the Town of Cortlandt, our long-standing community partner, with an award recognizing their unwavering commitment to inclusive employment.
“The Town of Cortlandt has been partnering with us for many years as an employer of people with disabilities in their street cleaning program. They are dedicated to helping people with disabilities be successfully employed and currently employ 15–20 individuals in our supported employment program. They understand them and include them as part of the crew—whether they’re helping to keep the streets clean or working in the Town’s garage.”
Deputy Town Supervisor of Cortlandt attended the event to accept the award on behalf of Town Supervisor Dr. Richard Becker and the Town’s Department of Environmental Services.
“I had the great honor recently of attending the Celebrating Champions of Inclusion event for the Hudson Valley region recognizing some wonderful employers who create inclusive workplaces and opportunities for people of all abilities,” the Deputy Supervisor said. “This year, I was thrilled to hear that HVSP honored the Town of Cortlandt along with Target and Resorts World Catskills and others for helping open doors, create possibilities, and champion inclusion.”
“It was my pleasure to represent the Town of Cortlandt and accept the National Disability Employer Recognition Award for our commitment to creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At the Town of Cortlandt, we have a long history of hiring individuals with different abilities and have found it so enriching to have a workforce that highlights the gifts every individual brings to the workplace.”
The Deputy Supervisor also noted that Cortlandt has been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” in Westchester by 914Inc Magazine, and emphasized the town’s dedication to fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and supportive work environment.
“This award is really a thank you to our amazing workers who share our dedication to our core values of community, collaboration, and excellence. The Town embraces its motto of being a place ‘Where Life Works’ and we remain committed to creating a positive and engaging workplace culture that empowers employees of all abilities and enriches the broader community while helping to make the Hudson Valley a more inclusive place to live and work.”
The event also featured keynote speaker Lynne Thibdeau, State of the State Project Manager for the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. Thibdeau introduced the Employment First initiative, a statewide effort launched in 2020 to close the employment gap between people with and without disabilities. At the time, only 31.2% of New Yorkers with disabilities were employed, compared to 72% of those without.
At CBS, we couldn’t agree more. Since our founding, we’ve believed that employment is not just about a paycheck—it’s about purpose, dignity, and belonging. That’s why we’ve worked tirelessly to remove barriers to employment. In 2013, we launched Good Reasons Dog Treat Bakery to create meaningful jobs for people of all abilities. We offer both prevocational and supported employment programs, and we’re excited to soon launch the Impact Academy—a new initiative focused on teaching the soft skills essential for workplace success.
We know we can’t do this alone. That’s why we’re so grateful for partners like the Town of Cortlandt, who show what’s possible when inclusion is more than a value—it’s a practice.
Together, we’re building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If your business is interested in learning more about the benefits of employing people with unique abilities—retention, diversity, tax initiatives—please contact Community Engagement Manager Joe Conti here.
Please visit:
Services for Businesses here.
Community Prevocational Employment here.
Supported Employment Services here.
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