NYSID honors Guilderland man in state-wide disability awards ceremony

ALBANY, NY (NEWS10) — October is National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month and New York State Disability Rights and Employment Awareness Month. To mark the occasion, New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID) held an awards ceremony recognizing individuals with disabilities who are making a significant impact through their jobs.

With its statewide network of 140 non-profit rehabilitative agencies and private sector business partners, NYSID facilitates employment for thousands of disabled individuals each year.

Currently 64% of those with disabilities are unemployed. NYSID President and CEO Maureen O’Brien wants to change that.

“Individuals with disabilities can work, should work, and have real skills and contributions to make to the workforce in New York,” O’Brien said.

This year marks NYSID’s 50th anniversary. One of its state-wide award recipients is Guilderland resident Brian Malone who, when asked about his work is quick to share, “I like working.”

Brian is a mail processing clerk at the Center for Disability Services. He stuffs 4,000 envelopes of documents each day. His boss Alexander Demitraszek said Brian was a stellar performer from the beginning.

“We could just see how much potential was there and how big of a desire he had to join the workforce and just come to work every day,” Demitraszek noted.

He said it’s also Brian’s influence on others that makes him truly exemplary.

“He’s got a positive attitude. He’s ready to work, and some days he’s just demanding work,” he shared. 

Perhaps that’s why Brian wasn’t surprised he got the honor. When asked, “Did you expect to win this award?” he replied with an emphatic “Yes.” He feels this is due to being a hard worker.

He said work makes him feel “very good” and productive.

“Disabled people just have that just special ability where they’re able to, they just want to work,” Demitraszek said. “They want to be part of society.” 

Brian now works five days a week and is coming up on his 3-year anniversary.  His dad, Larry Malone, says Brian is always happy — except for when he lost his job during the pandemic. 

“When he was out of work, every morning, I would ask him how he was and he’d say “I have to get a job.” For a year and half, he was miserable,” Larry said.

The dark cloud lifted when Brian got the job at the Center for Disability Services.

“When Brian walks out of this building each night, he has a sense of accomplishment and that brings self-respect and that brings happiness,” Larry said. “So, the cloud is gone, and the sunshine is back.”

Larry said he’s immensely grateful to Demitraszek, O’Brien and all those who give people with disabilities an opportunity to shine through employment. 

“What they give to so many every day, to people who largely would be ignored but instead they’re valued. And as a father, I can’t tell you how much gratitude I have to them,” he said. “They’re a godsend.”