Op-Ed: A Good Business Strategy

A wonderful oped from Crain's New York Business from a great parent and business partner. We need more folks like Ellen Zimiles.

As the parent of a son on the autism spectrum, I think it's time more employers realized the vital role that our nation's special-needs population can play in the workforce. When I was in a position to make hiring decisions for my own firm, now part of Navigant, I decided to "walk the walk" and set a good example for other employers to follow by offering career opportunities to persons with developmental disabilities.

While this clearly is a deeply personal matter for me, I also strongly believe it is the right decision from a business perspective. It has proved to be a powerful way to build a culture of respect for all employees. I find that employees value a company that is accepting of people's differences and able to understand where employees' skill sets best fit within the business' needs.

The Word at Words Is 'Autism Awareness'

Ellen Zimiles, a member of YAI's Business Advisory Council, is just an amazing woman. Not only is she a successful executive, who has been featured in The New York Times, but she also owns a bookstore that focuses on special needs materials and hires people with autism from the YAI Network.

MAPLEWOOD, N.J. -- Our local bookstore, Words, was launched with the interests of special needs children, and their families, in mind. With National Autism Awareness Month coming up in a few days, they have planned a series of events throughout April.
When Ellen and Jonah Zimiles needed a name for their new bookstore, it was autism awareness that inspired them.
“It’s common for people who are teaching those with autism to tell them, ‘Use your words,’” says co-owner Jonah Zimiles. “When we were trying to think of a name, we This April, for the second year, Words will observe Autism Awareness Month with several events and speakers, including internationally respected experts Bridget Taylor, co-founder and executive director of Alpine Learning Group in Paramus, N.J., a premier school for those with autism, and Michael Rosanoff, assistant director of Research and Public Health at Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization.
“So far, ten youngsters with autism have worked at Words,” said Mr. Zimiles. “And we hope our efforts will encourage other businesses to hire those with special needs.