Outstanding Employer Award

As one of the country’s largest private employers, Wal-Mart encourages and empowers their associates at all levels by providing job opportunities for associates with disabilities to participate fully in the workplace.   Wal-Mart’s efforts to recruit a diverse workforce include partnering with organizations such as Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities, the National Business and Disability Council, RecruitABILITY and the American Association of People with Disabilities.  

The local Birmingham area Wal-Mart stores have been an invaluable resource for the UCP of Greater Birmingham’s Employment Services Department.  Currently, four Employment Services program participants have been placed in positions in local Wal-Mart stores.  Store management and the Human Resource staff have been instrumental in helping UCP of Greater Birmingham fulfill our mission of putting people with disabilities to work in the community.  

Local store managers have helped UCP staff complete necessary assessments of individuals to see what their abilities are in a real work environment. They give our program participants a fair chance and help them achieve success and advance with the company.  The Human Resources staff and the supervisors who work with program participants to resolve any issues they may have and work with them to figure out any appropriate accommodations if necessary. But most importantly, they also treat the individuals with disabilities they employ with dignity and respect.  

Wal-Mart continues to give individuals with disabilities the key to open the doors to independence and, for that, we are proud to honor them as the 2010 Life Without Limits Award for Outstanding Employer.