RIVERSIDE, CA. — Phenix Technology, Inc. (Phenix), a nearly 50-year-old Riverside-based firefighting equipment manufacturer is celebrating Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month by announcing the expansion of their relationship with the California Department of Rehabilitation. The company has been a strong supporter of Autism awareness for many years and is proud to have numerous neurodiverse employees. Since last year, the company has been strengthening their relationship with organizations like Exceed and the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) to develop opportunities to train and hire candidates who traditionally face intense barriers to employment. Led by their Core Values of “Leave the world a better place” and “Create an environment of joy,” they have established world class business practices that have created an atmosphere ideal for developing people who are traditionally challenged with entering and thriving in the workforce.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that over 700,000 Californian adults are living with autism spectrum disorder. Director of Global Operations of Phenix Technology, Inc., Angel Sanchez, Jr., explained that “Our atmosphere enables all our employees to feel emotional security, empowerment, opportunity for growth, and joy. Our culture and environment are ideal for neurodiverse employees, and we are delighted to share it.”
In its expanded role, Phenix commits to collaborating with the DOR to market and promote the hiring of neurodiverse candidates; assist with the dissemination of information, tools, and resources to its vast network; create a comprehensive neurodiversity training program to educate employees and management on neurodiversity at work; amend company policies to offer more support for the recruitment and retention of neurodiverse candidates; and develop an effective “Work Based Learning” apprenticeship program that will allow neurodiverse candidates to develop skills needed for adult workforce success.
The company challenges employers throughout the state to break from traditional hiring practices and to begin hiring members of their community from more diverse backgrounds with an increased effort to hire neurodiverse and those with other disabilities as candidates for full time permanent positions. “We need to change our thinking as business leaders. The American Disabilities Act is not only about making accommodations in the work force. It is more importantly about giving a person with a disability the opportunity to experience and thrive in a working environment. We need to focus on people’s incredible capabilities and not their disabilities.” stated Sanchez.
For more information about Phenix Technology, Inc., visit www.phenixfirehelmets.com.
Exceed’s mission is to “Provide service and advocacy, which creates choices and opportunities, for adults with disabilities to reach their maximum potential.”
To learn more visit www.weexceed.org.
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) “works in partnership with consumers and other stakeholders to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.” www.dor.ca.gov.
For more information about Phenix Technology, Inc., visit www.phenixfirehelmets.com.
