Last year, Northeast Career Planning set up a business advisory council of 35 regional companies to help forge that relationship. Through the council, the agency learns the needs and wants of local companies. In turn, the agency can educate business leaders about the skills that an employee with disabilities can offer. We know you have many good workers. And we know we haven't tapped many of those workers.
Some companies make it a priority to hire people with disabilities.
Albany International Airport won an award this year for its partnership with Wildwood Programs, a local agency that serves people with neurological impairments and has put a job-placement center at the airport, where 22 disabled individuals have found work. I think there's always a job they can do. Fleet Bank recently received awards from the National Business and Disability Council for hiring a number of disabled workers at its tax-processing office in Kingston. And in June, Bell Atlantic opened its computer training center, usually reserved for its own employees, to Northeast Career Planning, so its clients can enhance their computer experience. We as an employer are certainly always wanting to see more qualified people.