Eastern Shore Business Leadership Network

Our Mission

Assist the business community to increase profitability through employment and consumer diversity within the disability population.

DIVERSITY AT WORK

The Eastern Shore Business Leadership Network
Regional Employer Summit

Click the Summit banner above to view photos of the event!

Gain the Competitive Advantage
Increase Workforce Retention
Understand ADA Law
Open New Doors to Corporate Diversity
Overcome the Mystery of Disabilities
Access New Consumer Markets

Thursday April 17 - Friday April 18, 2008
Visit website for more information: www.diversitysummit.esbln.org

2008 ESBLN “Putting Ability to Work” Award Winners

The Eastern Shore Business Leadership Network recently honored two companies for their vision to see employment ability in all people, particularly people with disabilities, through its recruitment strategies. The ESBLN “Putting Ability to Work” Award was presented to Peninsula Regional Medical Center.

The ESBLN also presented Quality Staffing Services the ESBLN “Putting Ability to Work” Certificate of Recognition for its contributions towards creating employment opportunities and promoting the benefits of employing people with disabilities. Pictured to the right of Mitzi Scott is Maria Waller, President of Quality Staffing Services and Jackie Gast, Director of the ESBLN.

Ability Matters Soldering Video Online

The Eastern Shore Business Leadership Network has produced a program of a local success story about employment of people with disabilities called ABILITY MATTERS. While there are many recruitment methods, this short program showcases an example of how and why businesses should recruit qualified workers from this often underestimated labor pool; people with disabilities. The results of recruiting from this population include finding employees who have equal to better attendance, higher retention rates, and lower recruitment costs.

ABILITY MATTERS was locally produced and edited by Jackie Gast and SU Intern communications major, Marc Gast and has been aired on PAC 14 (Public Access Channel Television in Wicomico County, MD). Visit www.pac14.org for programming schedule. Transcript available here.

Click Here to View Video - Running time: 14 minutes

(Left click on the link to open directly or right-click on file-name and choose “Save As” to to download to your computer.)
NOTE: File size is 11.5 MB and may take some time on dial-up connections. This video is currently available in Windows Media Video format (.WMV). If you do not have Windows Media Player already installed, you can download the FREE video player HERE.

Eastern Shore County News

Wicomico County

Ability Matters :: This is an ongoing series of programs designed to create and sustain relationships between service agencies that assist people with disabilities and employers looking to hire qualified individuals.
Ability Matters Soldering :: This is a program serving the microwave/electronics industry and has resulted in employment placements!
Ability Matters Connections :: This is a relationship building program where service agencies participate in company tours of local businesses learning job requirements first hand.
Accessible Guides :: We have three guides covering four counties available: Accessible Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester/Somerset (excludes Ocean City).
Both Wicomico and Worcester/Somerset has been checked for wireless. The Wicomico Guide was completed by high school students with disabilities. Salisbury University intern completed the Accessible Worcester/Somerset guide. The guide is also available in .pdf format on the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce web site www.salisburyarea.com.

Cecil County

Demographic Changes :: Cecil County is preparing for major demographic changes in the next decade. Nearby Aberdeen Proving ground will be expanding due to the closure and reassignment of two Department of Defense bases. Influx of population is expected at around 10,000 residents not to mention the affect on supporting businesses of all types. The Chamber is in an exciting and challenging position. Tari Moore, executive director, is up to the challenge!

Queen Anne County

Queen Anne County Chamber of Commerce :: The ESBLN has joined with the Queen Anne County Chamber of Commerce to serve as a resource for its business members.

Talbot County

The Talbot County disAbility Coalition :: The Talbot County disAbility Coalition meets the first Tuesday of the month at the Talbot County Health Department. The presidential hat was just passed from Rev. Dave Seymour to Ms. Mary O'Brien who is with the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. Plans and events for the upcoming year include Disability Friendly Business Award in October and the Hugh Gregory Gallagher Forum, The Life of Price Baum, scheduled for September 28, 2007 at the Avalon Theatre in Easton, MD. For more information, contact Mary O'Brien at 410-819-5600 or via email at mobrien@dhmh.state.md.us

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