Recognizing Employee Appreciation Day, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

By Rheaana Guess on March 4, 2022 in Corporate Social Responsibility

We are proud to recognize our employees today on Employee Appreciation Day!

Every member of our team works each day to truly live our values of accountability, collaboration, respect, integrity and corporate citizenship, and we appreciate it!

Their hard work and dedication make all the difference. We value their many contributions to help further our strategic vision and make our enterprise successful.

Our Culture and Engagement Team and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Team sent all of our employees a treat today in celebration. The teams chose a cookie from Moose & Me Bakery in commemoration of March’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

President Reagan designated March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in 1987 in response to societal demands in the 1970s and early 1980s calling for Americans to provide support to people with developmental disabilities instead of institutionalization. This support included career planning, job coaching and employment. Individuals with developmental disabilities are not defined by their disability; this is not their identity, and just like any other human, they should be able to seek and find opportunities to learn, gain employment and interact in a purposeful way in their communities.

During March, organizations as well as individuals work to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of life and shine a light on the barriers many people with disabilities face. We are proud to join them.

One of the largest barriers that people with developmental disabilities face is the lack of continued support once they “age out” of our public education system, which is typically at age 22. They are left with too few options to continue further learning, particularly for parents and caregivers who lack the financial means, and even fewer options for employment.

Megan Elder, the driving force behind Moose & Me Bakery, had a vision to overcome this barrier and increase inclusion in Naperville. With her home-grown bakery, she realizes that vision by employing adults of all abilities and creating meaningful interactions within the community. We are proud to support Moose & Me Bakery and share this sweet treat as we celebrate our employees and commemorate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!