fbpx Its about ability... not disability. | American Diagnostic Corporation

Its about ability... not disability.

For more than 30 years, ADC has made it part of our mission to employ the developmentally disabled.

It all started in 1987. The Long Island job market was bustling. We were in our infancy and struggling to find capable production staff. One day, a young man showed up at our door. He had a note with him that read “My name is Glen. I’m disabled and need a job”. He had ridden his bike 7 miles to get to our facility, then in West Babylon.

Although ambivalent about the likelihood for success we took a chance on Glen and never looked back. Today we employ a dozen individuals with intellectual disabilities in positions ranging from maintenance to shipping; production to quality control. AHRC’s Supported Work Program helped select, train and even manage the hires. Marc Blitstein, ADC’s CEO sits on the board of AHRC (Suffolk chapter) - one of the largest NY agencies serving this population. Over the past 20 years ADC has raised and donated well over $250,000 to their programs. But more importantly, over that period we have employed dozens and demonstrated that it really is about ABILITY.

To commemorate the Silver Anniversary of our work with the intellectually disabled we have developed this symbol of our involvement. Most of our products will feature the decal above prominently displayed. We will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of EVERY product bearing this sticker to the AHRC (Suffolk Chapter) to help them continue to provide programs to the 2000 individuals and families that they serve. If you would like to learn more about AHRC click the link... http://www.ahrcsuffolk.org.

ADC AHRC partnership in action

We asked some of our staff and associates to share with us their thoughts on working with ADC. Here’s edited excerpts of what they had to say...

“I’ve been with ADC company as of this past April for 15 years. My job is to package the blood pressure instruments. I work on an assembly line with 3 other workers. I enjoy my job very much and take it very seriously. My supervisor is Mike. I really like working for him.

I love music. Almost all kinds of music. I really like to sing. ADC has let me sing at some of their Christmas parties. I also sing Karaoke with friends on the weekend.

My long range plan is to continue working at ADC (and to) keep enjoying my family and friends and of course keep on singing.” Dina Commando. BP Packager, Production Department, AHRC Participant, Employee since 1997

“My job at ADC is maintenance. I empty all of the garbage cans and cut down some of the boxes. I also make sure to keep plenty of tissues and toilet paper in the bathrooms.

I have been with ADC for over 3 years and enjoy it very much. My supervisor is Chris. He is really easy to work for.

Before coming to work for ADC, I worked for Burlington Coat Factory.

My hobbies are reading mysteries, dancing, and playing tennis. I have won gold and silver medals playing tennis.

My plans are to stay with ADC a long time. It’s a nice place to work. (There are) great parties and Chris is a nice boss.” Jaymie Watson: Plant Maintenance. AHRC Participant. Employee since 2008.

“I remember first going to work in West Babylon. There were not as many people working there then as we have today here now. About 15 people if I remember correctly. Neal was the manager of the office. I didn’t see Neal too much. I saw Marc all the time. Richie passed out all the work just like today.

We had a BBQ during the day. Marc did the cooking then too. It was a small one not like today. He used a small round grill and we used to have Pizza which he ordered and they would deliver it and we had breakfast for those who would work on Saturdays and he would buy lunch for people who would stay until 11:00.

My favorite thing about ADC is that we have our BBQ’s. I like to see Marc when he walks around. I like working here. I like doing everything, doing different jobs, boxing, heating bags, packing things into boxes. I like the fact that I do different jobs all the time.” Gracemarie (GM) Pascarella: Packager, Production Department. Employee since 1989.

“I have been working for ADC in the Shipping Department for 12 years. I really like working for Marc, Neal and my supervisor Chris Gralto. My job is to pick and pack orders. We scan the bar codes and the computer tells us if we make any mistakes.

On March 31, 2012, I moved out of my parent’s house. I live in a one bedroom apartment by myself. I really like the apartment complex I’m at. I’m happy my parents, brother, and two nieces live 5 minutes from me. I have a very close relationship with my family.

I’m a big Yankees fan. My favorite country singles are Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, and Jason Aldean. I like to read books by Janet Evanovich, Dean Koontz, and James Patterson. I like to go to the beach. One of these days, I would like to take a cruise to Bermuda and the Bahamas.” Jeanine Ruggerio: Picker/Packer, Shipping Department. AHRC Participant. Employee since 2000.

“My first job with ADC was assembling holsters and doing short runs. For the last 15 years I’ve been a floor boy. That means I get the parts that the production workers need to assemble our products. I get to use the W.A.V. truck which lifts me to the top of the warehouse racks. They make me wear a hard hat for safety. I know where all of the parts are kept but the computer will also help me find the parts.

My favorite thing about ADC is meeting friends, make them laugh, learn new things

Helping the people get their job done right. Making sure they are set up all correctly.

My favorite people in the company are Maria, Irene, Arthur, Marc, Kathy, and Chris.” Richie Garczyinski: Floor Person, Production Department. AHRC Participant Employee since 1991.

“I work in QC. I inspect gauges. I put them on a machine that tests them. I have to record the serial number for each one. I also look at every gauge to make sure the needle is in the middle. My boss told me that I’ve inspected more than 5 million gauges since I started working here.

Before ADC, I used to work at Grumman. My job there was to clean the fighter jet cockpit dashboards. I did that job for 17 years. Then they closed the factory and I came to work for ADC.

I like working with my new boss Chris.” Ted Dworestksy, Gauge Inspector, IQC. Boces Participant. Employee since 1993

“I started working at ADC February 2nd 1999. I have always been in the production department, mostly working on the scope assembly line.

I graduated James E Allen Center in Dix Hills in 1991 which was my high school. Then I began working in a skills limited workshop August 1991 located in Oakdale near McArthur Airport. I was there from 1991 to 1997. I had a few other jobs before I came to ADC.

I love to work, I love watching sports on TV. Basketball and Football are my favorite sports to watch.

The best thing about working here at ADC are the benefits, the fact that I get vacations, we don’t have to work on weekends.

My favorite people here at ADC are Alvin, Jeffrey, Terrance, Clint, Isaac.

Everything here is just fine. I like working here.” Emanuel (Manny) Wilkins, Stethoscope Assembly, Production Department. AHRC Participant. Employee since 1999.

“I started out in service working my way up first to assistant, then Plant Manager in 1999. From the outset, our CEO made it clear that working with, and integrating the intellectually disabled was a core part of our mission. For the most part it hasn’t even been a challenge as many of the workers preceded me and helped ME integrate. Today, four of the six plant departments are partly staffed by those with intellectual or other developmental disabilities – QC, Warehouse/Maintenance, Shipping, and Production. They’re truly a part of the ADC family and together have more than 150 year service to our firm. It’s been both an honor and a privilege to work alongside every one of them.” Arthur Ahearn: Plant Manager. Employee since 1996

“Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you're needed by someone.”- Anonymous.

I have worked for ADC for the past 11 years as the Production Supervisor and it has been such a wonderful opportunity for me to witness the growth of my co-workers. I currently have 8 workers with a disability. Being employed at this company, I feel that we all come together as a family and strive for the same goals. It provides a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. At the end of the day, everyone deserves to feel a strong sense of pride in what they’re working for and ADC provides that feeling for everyone who is employed here. Mike Martone: Production Supervisor. Employee since 2001

I have been Executive Assistant to the two co-founders of ADC for 18 years. Our history of working together goes back over 30 years – and considering I’m just 37, that’s pretty crazy. My responsibilities include interacting with our top customers, business acquaintances, and employees. I also make the travel arrangements for my bosses.

My experience with our disabled employees is a positive one as they are so appreciative and conscientious. It is truly rewarding to have them as co-workers – enabling me to feel sense of fulfillment knowing they feel special as integral members of the ADC family….“Family” being the operative word here because ADC is not just your average company – just ask ANY one of our more than 100 employees. I am extremely proud to work for ADC and look forward to continue sharing our future successes. Marian Lomba, Executive Assistant, Administration. Employee since 1994

“AHRC Suffolk is very proud of our relationship with American Diagnostic Corporation. Both ADC and AHRC strongly believe that it is about Ability and doing all that we can do to improve the lives of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Thank you ADC for the continued commitment to our mission.” William Leonardi. Chief Executive Officer, AHRC Suffolk.