Greater Boston Business Council honors UMass Medical School's Work Without Limits program

The Greater Boston Business Council honored UMass Medical School's Work Without Limits program with its Outstanding Business Member of the Year Award for Excellence in Community Service at its recent annual awards ceremony.

Work Without Limits is a statewide network of employers and partners who aim to increase employment among individuals with disabilities. Launched in 2009, the program is the result of a comprehensive plan to address the many challenges that contribute to unemployment and underemployment of people with disabilities.

The program works with several disability-employment organizations to deliver services, such as candidate recruitment and training, to Massachusetts employers. It also provides businesses with information and resources needed to manage and accommodate an increasingly diverse workforce.

The Greater Boston Business Council (GBBC), the Boston area's leading business group for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community, was established in 1990 to promote the business and professional interests of its members.

"We are very honored to receive this award from the Greater Boston Business Council, a leader in promoting more diverse workplaces in the Boston area," said Alexis Henry, PhD, director of the disability, health and employment policy unit at UMass Medical School, the home of Work Without Limits. "The award underscores our continued strategic partnership with the GBBC to create more meaningful work opportunities for people with disabilities. Our work would not be possible without such partnerships, so in addition to thanking them for this honor we are also extremely grateful for their assistance," Dr. Henry added.

The GBBC recognized Work Without Limits' leadership not only in the disability community, but also for aligning its work to reduce barriers to employment for other diverse communities.

"We could not be happier to present this community service award to Work Without Limits," said Valerie B. Clark, president of the GBBC. "In many ways, the mission of Work Without Limits complements the mission and focus of the GBBC, which at its core is about promoting acceptance, eliminating barriers and increasing inclusion of populations whose strengths and talents are too often overlooked in the wider business community."

Ms. Clark also praised Sean Driscoll, director of business relations for Work Without Limits, for working with the GBBC to increase employer engagement activities. "I think we all recognize that this partnership would not have been possible, or as successful, if not for Sean's passion and hard work. This award is an affirmation of everything he has done to make this a meaningful and productive collaboration for Work Without Limits and the businesses we represent," she said.