Recognized by the state of Vermont for their hard work, friendly nature, and best practices in hiring and retaining people with disabilities, Castleton’s Dining Services, Sodexo, was recently honored as the recipient of the 2016 Spirit of the ADA Award.
Given out in October each year in conjunction with National Disability Awareness Month, the award recognizes employers who not only hire, but also maintain employees with disabilities. The award is presented by Governor’s Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities, whose mission is to promote equal opportunity in employment for all Vermont citizens across a wide range of businesses and government.
“When I am asked why or how we employ people with disabilities, my answer is always the same. We don’t, we employ people,” said Rob Macfarlane, Sodexo General Manager of Castleton Dining Services. “I never think of them as having a disability. My thought is always can they do something for our team here to help us serve the Castleton community? That is the key.”
MacFarlane, who has over 17 years of service with Sodexo, says that the dynamic of a kitchen can be positively changed through the hiring of individuals with a disability. On a daily basis he witnesses fist hand the beneficial impact that can be had through creating a diverse staff.
“Typically, these folks are always happy and they become a rally point for the entire team. They smile, they laugh, they cry. Every emotion they feel tends to ripple through the dining hall,” he said.
Members of Creative Work Force Solutions and Vermont Association of Business Industry Rehabilitation, VABIR, will present the award to the Castleton Dining Hall staff, on October 31 at 12 pm in Huden. MacFarlane hopes that the award distinction will help Sodexo continue to support the surrounding community by offering employment to more people with disabilities.
“Here at Huden some of our folks with a disability have enjoyed a bit of rock star status. When they are happy, they cheer up students, when they are down the students cheer them up,” said MacFarlane, “I think it is an essential piece on any campus and one that Sodexo has recognized and we continue to implement across the country.”