TransPerfect—a NYC-based translation services company—along with the company’s Regional Operations Manager, Shpendi Saliu, has been recognized with an award given by Lexington Vocational Services Center, Inc. for its efforts to hire hearing-impaired employees, the company announced.
According to the announcement, Lexington students come from all over New York’s five boroughs, and a number of students have other disabilities in addition to deafness, including mobility and mental impairments. Lexington is said to prepare students to continue on to college, vocational education, job training, or a placement that will support them to live a responsible, productive life.
“Recounting TransPerfect’s heartfelt testimonies is what our program is all about—coming together to share worlds, words, and wisdom,” said a Lexington Vocational Services Center spokesperson. “We look forward to continue working with Shpendi and TransPerfect to broaden horizons and bridge atmospheres of ambition and independence for our deaf consumers.”
Based on the success of the company’s pilot program, TransPerfect has expanded their efforts with a goal to significantly increase hiring of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals over the course of the next year.
Phil Shawe, TransPerfect co-CEO, commented, “After hearing V.R. Ferose’s presentation ‘From Success to Significance’ about SAP and his journey to create a successful software testing work program for autistic individuals, I was inspired to consider new sources of talent for TransPerfect. When Shpendi told me about Lexington Vocational Services Center and the incredible work some of their graduates were doing in our e-discovery division, TransPerfect Legal Solutions, I encouraged him to build a full program. The results of partnership have been overwhelmingly positive—we even have managers learning sign language—and we are excited to increase our commitment to providing career opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.”
TransPerfect Co-CEO Liz Elting said, “At TransPerfect, we’ve always been vocal about our belief that our employees and their unique mix of backgrounds, experiences, and skills are the best part of our company. Our deaf and hard-of-hearing team members, in addition to being exceptionally skilled employees, are a daily source of inspiration to their colleagues and to other members of the Lexington program who share similar career and life goals. We’re so grateful to have them as part of our organization, and we intend to continue promoting diversity—one of our company’s core values—within TransPerfect at every available opportunity.”
Source: TransPerfect
