Employer Spotlights
Disability Employment Awareness Month
VR is honored to recognize employers who are leading the way in building an inclusive workforce and looking beyond the disability. Without the support of outstanding employers, we would not have been able to assist nearly six thousand individuals each year to successfully obtain or maintain employment. The businesses honored definitely understand the benefits of a loyal, productive workforce, and are leaders in the important effort to incorporate more people with disabilities in the employee pool. Since 1945, President Harry S. Truman approved a Congressional resolution declaring the first week in October “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” is removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities.
Since 2005, VR has partnered with other agencies. VR partners with Agency for Person with Disabilities (ADP) and Division of Blind Services (DBS) for the statewide events. The Able Trust sponsors area events.
Governor Jeb Bush signed the first proclamation that celebrate the contributions of the 2.5 million Floridians with disabilities in October as Disability Employment Awareness Month. The first event was held in Tallahassee that included the APD, DBS, Ability First, Big Bend Leadership Network, Tallahassee and Florida Chambers of Commerce, Big Bend Workforce Center-Workforce Plus, City of Tallahassee Equal Employment Opportunity Office and the Able Trust. In 2005-2006, VR assisted 10,796 Floridians with disabilities to achieve their employment goal and the program had a 60.4 percent successful rehabilitation rate which was an all-time record for the program. Other accomplishments were:
- Bureau of Reemployment and Rehabilitation Services helped 1,486 injured workers return to jobs
- Blind Services helped 655 people become gainfully employed, and
- VR assisted 2,855 blind and visually-impaired people in obtaining competitive employment.
Award-winning businesses through the years:
2021
Statewide
Advance Auto Parts Distribution Center Lakeland, Florida
Aramark-USF Dinning Location
Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc
Challenge Enterprises
Escambia County
Good Samaritan Hospital
Hilton Singer Island
Idolls Botique
Jet's Pizza- North Port
2020
Statewide
Blackstone Medical Services
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
Home Builders and Contractors Association of Brevard
Lake City Medical Center
Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort and Spa
Princeton Village of Palm Coast
TJ Maxx Tyrone
WaWa, Inc.
Winslow Life Raft, Division of Collins Aerospace
Your TEK Professional
2019
Area 4
Amplify Clearwater
Flagship Facility Services, Inc.
H2 Insight
Home Depot
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Sea Breeze Adult Day Center
Stream Recycling
Tampa Bay Times
Area 6
Burlington
Double Tree by Hilton
Freezetone Products
Home Goods
Learning Playhouse Academy
Marshall’s
MasTec
People Dedicated to Quality
Somerset Academy Silver Palms
Statewide
Accuform Manufacturing
Aramark Dining Services at Jacksonville
University
Army and Air Force Exchange Service
Bob’s Space Racers
Chartwells at the University of Miami
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
The Home Depot
Florida Department of Revenue
Golden Corral
The Chocolate Spectrum
Wawa, Inc.
ZVRS, Clearwater
2018
Area 4
AMC 20 Movie Theater
Bay Care Health System
Culver’s, Zephyrhills
The Hampton at Clearwater
K&K Glass
NASCO Aerospace and Electronics
Wawa, Inc.
Area 6
Academica
Chick-Fil-A
Red Lobster
Vezina, Lawrence & Piscitelli, PA
WingStop
Statewide
Edibles by Ethel, Tampa
Firehouse Subs
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Hilton Ocala
Lucky’s Market
Paisley Cafe, Tallahassee
Rising Tide Car Wash, Parkland and Margate
SolarTech Universal, Riviera Beach
The Village, Gainesville
Treasure Bay Resort & Marina, Treasure Island
Vinny & Bay’s Coffee and Eatery, Panama City
World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort
2017
Area 4
FBD Signs, Inc.
Home Shopping Network (HSN)
Jabil
Mister Car Wash
Professional Surveys, Inc. (PSI)
Area 6
Discount Welds
Marshall’s
Misha’s Cupcakes
SMS International Shores, Port of Miami
Tropic Ocean Airways
Statewide
Boca Raton Resort and Club
Cunningham Pest Control, Palm Beach
Dosatron, Clearwater
Embassy Suites, Ft. Lauderdale
Martin Health System, Stuart
Piggly Wiggly, Quincy
Planet Fitness, Panama City
Publix
Sodexo
The Women’s Center of Central Florida
2016
Area 3
Especially4U Catering & Restaurant
Lake Morton Plaza
Panera Bread
Steak n Shake
Area 4
AMC Theaters
Crown Automotive Group
Dunbar Armored
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Sacino’s Formalwear & Cleaners
Area 6
CosmoProf
FedEx
NBC Universal Telemundo
Whole Foods Market South Beach
Statewide
Alumi-Guard, Brooksville
Bealls/Bealls Outlet, Boyton Beach
Flowers Bakery, Jacksonville
Greenspoon Marder, Ft. Lauderdale
Humane Society Thrift Store, PC
Mantiques, Inverness
Rosen Resorts, Orlando
The Pickle Barron, Key West
The Print Shop, Naples
Walgreen’s, Starke
2015
Area 3
LEGOLAND Florida
Wags to Whiskers
Winter Haven Social Security Office
Area 4
Casita Taqueria
Hyatt Regency Sarasota
Pinellas County School Board
TSE Industries
Winn Dixie
Area 6
Sodexo at Coral Gables Hospital
MCO Construction and Services, Inc.
Pritchard Sports at Marlins Stadium
Statewide
3 Daughters Brewing
Kilwins, Jacksonville
LEGOLAND Florida
Lowe’s
Area 6 Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
OfficeMax Distribution Center
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Panama City
Winter Park Memorial Hospital
2014
Area 4
College Hunks Hauling Junk
Hilton at Carillon Park
Ken Burke, Clerk of Court
Lowe’s
Morgan & Morgan
Area 6
Brightstar Corporation
City of Hialeah
Designs by Camilas
University of Miami Newman Alumni Center
Statewide
211 Broward
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Tampa
Citigroup, Jacksonville
Dunkin’ Donuts, Pensacola
Gulf Coast Enterprises
Lee & Marie’s Cakery
SeaWorld Orlando
2013
Area 4
Bonefish Grill
Home Goods Store
Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club
Magnuson Marian Cove
Suncoast Textile Recycling
Area 6
Baptist Health South Florida
Contemporary Services Company, Miami
Miami Zoo
Statewide
Beck’s Automotive Group
Express Employment Professionals
McDonald’s, Pinellas County and Tampa
Sykes Enterprises, Inc.
TJX Companies
Wendy’s Restaurant, West Palm Beach
Winn Dixie
2012
Area 4
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
Innisbrook
Valrico Home Depot
Walden Lake Car Wash & Service Center
Walgreen’s
Area 6
Chili’s Grill & Bar
Macy’s
Mainstreet Gourmet Bakery
Statewide
Habitat for Humanity, East and Central Florida
Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center
Universal Orlando Resort
Baptist Health South Florida
Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Mangrove Mike’s Café
Miller’s Ale House
2011
Area 4
Chick-fil-a
Ward’s Seafood Market
Postcard Inn on the Beach
Brentwood Senior Living Center
Area 7
Boca Raton
A.R.E. Utility Construction
Canada House Beach Club
City of Riviera Beach
Palm Beach Kennel Club
Publix
Statewide
Great Explorations Museum
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts of Florida
Sacred Heart Health System
Five Guys Burgers
Citrus Memorial Health Care
Loew’s
Miami Beach Hotel
Department of Revenue
Marriott Worldwide Call Center
My Best Friend’s Kitchen, PC
2010
Area 4
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
Mr. G’s Foods
Express Medical Transporters
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts of Florida
Statewide
ARAMARK Food Services, Tallahassee
Childhood Development Services, Ocala
European Street Café, Jacksonville
LCI Industries, Melbourne, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Milton
Mathison Retirement Center, PC Zoo, Miami
TSE Industries, Clearwater
2009
Statewide
Bethesda Memorial Hospital, Boynton Beach
Call 4 Health, Boca Raton
Fausto’s Food Palace, Key West
Hilton at Home Reservations, Tampa
Jacksonville Aviation Authority
Stretcher Limo of New Port Richey
Walgreen’s Distribution Centers of FL
Walmart of Florida
2008
Statewide
Baptist Hospital of Pensacola
Kmart of Florida
Martin Electronics, Perry
Micro Systems, Fort Walton Beach
SunTrust Banks of Florida
T.J. Maxx
2007
Area 1
Florida State University, Tallahassee
Leon County Schools
Quincy Farms
Statewide
Publix
Walmart
Florida Goodwill Association
2006
Area 1
City of Tallahassee
Denny’s, Madison
Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee
Florida A&M University
Florida State University, Tallahassee
Florida Department of Revenue
Hampton Inn and Suites, Tallahassee
Tallahassee Community College
Statewide
Publix
Walmart
Winn-Dixie, Jacksonville
Albertson’s, Lake Mary
Florida Goodwill Association
McDonald’s, Tallahassee and Tampa
Target
Wendy’s, Clearwater
Gulf Coast Enterprises, Pensacola
Burger King
Walt Disney World
Home Depot, North Florida