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W O R K F O R M E / S P R I N G 2 0 2 5 22 Grandin, Yehia believes that old- fashioned, rigid job roles limit growth for the individual and the company. Instead, Vertical Har- vest designs their job description around people's strengths and makes an accessible application process that removes barriers to entry. Additionally, the company connects with local disability organizations, workforce devel- opment agencies, and vocational programs to let job seekers with disabilities know that there are job opportunities available. "First and foremost, this is about smart business. We know that companies that embrace inclusive hiring gain access to a highly motivated, untapped talent pool made of the right people who bring problem solv- ing skills, dedication, and fresh perspectives. We're addressing this critical national labor is- sue. Right now, there are indus- tries across the country who are struggling to fill positions, but at the same time, there are mil- lions of capable individuals, es- pecially people with disabilities, who are left out of the workforce due to outdated hiring models. This is a population who wants to work and deserves to work," Yehia said. Bank of America Bank of America Maine is also dedicated to inclusive hiring practices, according to President Brian King. "One of our core values at Bank of America is to realize the power of our people. We also talk about how we en- courage people to bring their whole selves to work, that's just a part of who we are." Bank of America's hiring process focuses on the "whole person," rather than any per- ceived limitations. The goal is to identify candidates who are well-suited for the role and can make meaningful contribu- tions to the Bank of America community. The key is to treat individuals with respect and recognize their value. Since banks play a crucial role in local communities, it's essential that their teams reflect the diverse populations they serve. "At Bank of America, we serve 70 million consumer cli- ents across the United States, we serve every type of person. So, it's important for us to rep- resent our client base inside the company as well," King says. The Bank of America's Belfast location recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. An impor- tant milestone, especially for the Belfast Support Services, who embody teamwork. The depart- ment performs fulfillment tasks such as printing, mailing, and document organization. King has known the team since the early days of his Bank of America ca- reer and is proud of the fact that 11 associates from the original Belfast Support Services team have been there since day one, for a full 30 years, emphasizing the retainment benefits of con- necting the right candidates to the right roles. During a consoli- dation process, a decision had to be made about whether to keep the Belfast Support Services in a separate building or invest additional funds to expand an existing facility that would bring the teams together. In the end, Bank of America chose to invest in creating a space that would al- low everyone to connect and work together as a unified community. "Whether it's me at my sit/ stand desk, or somebody who may be restricted to a wheelchair, or somebody who may be hearing impaired, or someone who may not be able to see, it is important that associates have the accom- modations and the ability to succeed personally and in their professional careers, and we'll do whatever we can to ensure that happens," King said about prioritizing a work environment conducive for all. W o r k f o r c e W O R K E R S W I T H D I S A B I L I T I E S I N M A I N E FA C T S : Disability rates are correlated to age. The overall rate for Maine is higher than for the nation because of the larger share of elder population. In Maine, the 16% with a disability is higher than 13% nationally. Disability rates generally are highest in the north and lowest in the south of the state. This is partly related to the share of elder population in those areas. « C O N T I N U E D F R O M P R E V I O U S PAG E 81% without a disability 38% with a disability 50% hearing difficulty 43% vision difficulty 32% cognitive difficulty 22% ambulatory difficulty 21% indep. living difficulty 9% self-care difficulty S O U R C E : "Maine Workers with Disabilities 2023 Data Update Text, Notes and Sources", Maine.gov E M P LOY M E N T R AT E S : Bank of America Maine President Brian King supported members of his team who took part in the Special Olympics. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F B A N K O F A M E R I C A

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