Providing Information & Resources for Hiring People with Disabilities
Cox Communications receives Large Employer Ability Award
PENSACOLA - The Able Trust honored Cox Communications Gulf Coast in Pensacola for demonstrating extraordinary practices in accommodating people with disabilities in the workplace. Cox Communications is the recipient of the Large Employer of the Year Award for the 2005 Ability Awards.
The Large Employer of the Year award recognizes businesses, consisting of 100 or more employees, with an exceptional record of disability friendly practices, including hiring persons with disabilities, making reasonable accommodations and demonstrating efforts beyond simple compliance with state or federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.
"We are honored to be recognized as Large Employer of the Year for the Ability Awards," said Shelia Nichols, Director of Public Affairs for Cox Communications. "It is nice to receive this type of recognition. However, for us, we are just doing the right thing."
To accommodate employees in accordance of the ADA laws, Cox Communications installed an elevator and automatic doors in their building, widened the aisles for easier access and incorporated a diversity training program. The company has also employed four people with disabilities in the past two years.
"We have a true commitment to diversity," Nichols said. "We proactively work with community agencies to recruit people with diverse backgrounds and train all employees on the value of diversity in the workplace."
Judy Olson, President of Workforce Specialist, Inc. nominated Cox Communications for the Ability Awards. Workforce Specialist, Inc. and Cox Communications are partners striving to match qualified persons with disabilities to various positions within the company. Cox has hired several people with disabilities to fill the roles of a customer care representative, technical support and traffic assistant.
"Cox strives to empower people with disabilities to realize their dreams of independence through competitive employment," Olson wrote in her nomination application.
Cox Communications has demonstrated excellence as a large employer by catering to those who are willing and able to work. The company has also established a diversity council, made up of 16 employees who provide direction and diversity recommendations to management.
"Each award winner has encouraged people with disabilities in their quest to gain and maintain employment, " said Kristen Knapp, APR, Vice President of Public Relations for The Able Trust. "We recognized this employer for seeing the value that Floridians with disabilities have to contribute to the workforce."
The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities, annually recognizes outstanding achievement in five different categories. The award winners competed on a state level and were recognized for their efforts with a commendation from Governor Jeb Bush.