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How One Company’s Disabled Workforce
“The Habitat International story is not only about the struggles and successes of people, but also about the challenges and growth of a small business in an increasingly competitive environment. The author blends these two compelling histories to tell the real-life tale of how a company is doing well by doing good.” --George W. Kessinger "Every chapter leaves the reader feeling enlightened and touched by each of Habitat's employees. Combined with this tale of personal success is an effective guide useful to businesspeople seeking to emulate a company model that would make any executive proud." --Hendrik Opstelten "Nancy Henderson Wurst has done an amazing job of capturing the essence of community inclusion for people with disabilities... Wurst's ability to transform their lives in Able! gives us goose bumps." --Calvin and Tricia Luker "While there's certainly a feel-good aspect to Able!, Wurst avoids turning it into a strictly inspirational volume. Instead, it shows that Habitat's example remains foremost a story about smart employment techniques and the wisdom of workplace diversity rather than social crusading." --Ron Wynn "The book ... is a combination of business saga and Chicken Soup for the Soul inspiration story, and it works well." --Lloyd Graff Able! How One Company’s Disabled Workforce Became the Key to Extraordinary Success tells the inspiring story of Habitat International Inc., a global indoor-outdoor rug manufacturer where three of every four workers have a physical or mental disability, or both. At Habitat, people with schizophrenia drive forklifts next to those with Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy. Hearing-impaired employees cut floor mats alongside co-workers who have endured strokes, severe head injuries, or loss of an arm. For the past two decades, the company’s owner has been hiring people with disabilities, urging other entrepreneurs to do the same thing, and defying the naysayers who said it couldn’t be done. The result: A multi-million-dollar corporation whose special-needs workers outproduce the nearest competitor 2-1. Able! chronicles the joys and challenges of managing a business with disabled employees, shares the heartwarming stories of workers who refused to be stereotyped, and offers advice for employers who fear they’ll lose money by hiring people with disabilities. This book will change the way you think about business — and the people around you.
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