Gap Inc.: Partnering to Train and Hire People with Disabilities for Retail Positions
On October 24, Gap Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, Calif., was honored with one of six of the Secretary of Labor’s 2007 New Freedom Initiative Awards. Eva Sage-Gavin, executive vice president of human resources and corporate communications, accepted the award on behalf of the company. Gap Inc. has partnered with Abilities Inc., a New York-based organization that trains people with disabilities for business positions, in a number of ways -- including funding and involvement in a state-of-the-art mock retail training establishment, a new training curriculum and a job shadowing program. Additionally, as a member of Abilities Inc.’s Business Advisory Council, Gap Inc. participates in practice interview sessions and regularly hires qualified applicants with disabilities into competitive jobs.