Press Room - Questions? Call 800.973.7687
The Sierra Group is making news locally and nationally for their successful consulting work.
After winning the prestigious Cal Pava Prize in 2000, Former Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Ridge lauded their efforts stating:
"My administration is committed to eliminating barriers for Pennsylvanians with disabilities, so they have opportunities to contribute their talents to our businesses, our schools and our communities. The Sierra Group shares that vision and, through creativity and innovation, helps make it a reality one person at a time." Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge
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Upcoming Sierra Group Events and News:
BREAKING NEWS!
Janet Fiore to attend a Summit on Disability Employment Policy
Janet Fiore will attend a Summit on Disability Employment Policy, Transforming the Workplace:A 21st-Century Vision,
hosted by the Office of Disability Employment Policy,
United States Department of Labor.
The summit and reception feature experts in the disability employment field and a pictorial exhibit on disability and Americans with disabilities at work.
June 3 & 4 2008 - Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University.
The Sierra Group's Workplace Foundation launches "One More Way."
On
April 18, 2008, The Sierra Group's Workplace Foundation will launch One More Way.
One More Way is a national forum created in response to all of you who tell
us that "it's hard to get connected."
The Sierra Group Foundation, through this one of a kind national program will serve as ‘One More Way’ to bring everyone together to see that job seekers with disabilities - starting with veterans, get connected to the people, the programs and the specific businesses who are out there looking to work with them. It’s all too easy to get lost in the process. This effort will bring key players together to clear up confusion and create new connections when none have been established. The One More Way initiative serves as a forum for all parties involved in the area of disability and employment to come together to do together what we cannot do alone.
One More Way Fact Sheet. PDF
- 130 K
Denise Barnes joins Sierra Group’s Workplace Foundation
Well known advocate, Denise Barnes, joins Sierra Group’s Workplace Foundation board as Vice Chair. Denise manages the sales force for bank loans at Washington Mutual, Tampa Florida where she combines her extraordinary people skills with her passion regarding workplace success through inclusion. Denise was lured back to corporate America after a very successful post serving as the Business to Business Connections director for Enable America. Desiring to stay connected to the community of friends she made while working at Enable America, Denise is proud to accept the position of Vice Chair, at Sierra Group’s Workplace Foundation.
“Really, the foundation of every workplace is its people” says Barnes. “After working in the area of employment and disability, I became quite impassioned regarding the absolute need to include people with disabilities into corporate diversity plans.”
Together with her ally, board chair, Janet Fiore, Denise will address the invited guests in on the upcoming launch of the Foundation’s One More Way Collaborative in Washington DC, April 18th..
The Sierra Group is a participating provider at the Transition & Benefits Fair at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
The Sierra Group continues to assist veterans find employment! We are honored to be a participating provider at the Transition & Benefits Fair at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
"The Transition & Benefits Fair is a partnership endeavor for service members and the community. Come out and take advantage of The American Legion Heroes to Hometowns network of providers ready to provide you transition, employment information and benefit resources to assist you as you transition from the military."
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Walter Reed Army Medical Center - building 41 (Old Red Cross Building)
For more information see the Transition & Benefits Fair flyer.
PDF
- 399 K
The Matthew Ryan Center at Villanova University has appointed Michael Fiore to its' Council of Advisors.
The Ryan Center for the Study of Free Institutions and the Pubic Good at Villanova promotes inquiry into the processes and principles of free government and seeks to advance understanding of the responsibilities of statesmen and citizens of constitutional democratic societies. For information on Ryan Center events and lectures, visit the Matthew Ryan Center at Villanova University.
Janet Fiore will give keynote address at the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern PA "Get In the Know" conference
On April 12, 2008 Janet Fiore will give the keynote address at the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern PA "Get in the Know" conference. Janet's topic is "Planning YOUR Success."
This half-day conference will provide up-to-date information about options assessing medical benefits, employment and legal resources for people living with epilepsy/seizure disorder.
This conference is free and open to the public. Registration is required for proper planning. For further information, call 215.6 29.5003 ext. 103 or PA only 800.887.7165 ext. 103. You may also e-mail mleahy@efepa.org.
April 12, 2008 - 8 a.m.
Thomas Jefferson University Bluemle Life Sciences Building
Philadelphia PA
Conference Brochure Front-Page JPEG 302 K
Conference Brochure Inside Page JPEG 358 K
Janet Fiore will present, "Hire Heroes USA: A business approach to hiring"
On February 14, Janet Fiore will present, "Hire Heroes USA: A business approach to hiring" before the Army National Guard Task Force in Annville, PA.
Janet Fiore will present, "The Aging Workforce: Old Isn’t What it Used to Be - Recruiting and Retaining an Experienced Market"
On March 6, 2008, Janet Fiore will present A workshop, "The Aging Workforce: Old Isn’t What it Used to Be - Recruiting and Retaining an Experienced Market."
In this energetic and interactive training session, Janet Fiore will review relevant research on the topic of disability and age; while also debunking statements such as “some people with disabilities could never work.”
Attendees will learn:
- how to access resources to recruit and maintain competitive employees from a shrinking base of workers.
- how to combine traditional accommodations with deliberate and proactive ergonomic interventions.
- how to identify and accommodate for age related visual, mobility
or pain issues that can affect
productivity and performance.
The workshop is offered through the Ohio Business Leadership Network from a grant from the Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities in
The workshop is on March 6, 2008, from 2:00-4 PM.
Place: New York Life
485 Metro Place South, Suite 350
Dublin, Ohio 43017
"I have never had this many register so fast-amazing! Thank you, Lynn Aspey MS, Director, Business Relations, Jewish Family Services."
The Sierra Group Inc. is joining with AIG to host a Mentoring Event for Job Seekers with Disabilities
On
2/20/08, The Sierra Group Inc. is joining with AIG to host a Mentoring
Event for Job Seekers with Disabilities. The focus of the event will
be matching Job Seekers who are interested in business careers to current AIG
employees who are performing positions where the job duties are the same or
similar to the Job Seeker's goals.
Click here for more information about AIG Mentoring Day.
Janet Fiore gives closing Keynote at Bucknell University
On
Oct. 16, 2007 Janet Fiore gave the closing Keynote address at Bucknell University
during the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s
Leadership Symposium. Fiore’s talk; “Untapped Potential” left
the attendees of the day’s Visions and Connections conference on an insightful
and positive note. Attendee Lisa Erickson said,
"I just wanted to let you know how much the Country Cupboard group enjoyed Janet Fiore's program yesterday. She is remarkable. It was a great way to end the day."
To book Janet Fiore for your event, call 800.973.7687.
Visit their website for more information about the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Janet Fiore gives expertise in a panel discussion on The American Law Journal TV show
Janet
Fiore, CEO of The Sierra Group, was the Vocational Rehabilitation Expert on
the October 22, 2007 Law Journal Television show.
The show aired on 42 cable channels. Along with Judge Geoffrey Dlin, Attorney
Mark Schmidt, and Attorney Matthew Wynn, Janet Fiore examined how vocational
rehabilitation can be improved to assist those Pennsylvania workers receiving
Workers Compensation. The show discussed the following:
Workers
Comp & Vocational Rehabilitation
- What provides the central crux of tension primarily between petitioners and respondents around the issue of vocational rehabilitation?
- Has vocational rehab always been a part of Pennsylvania’s Workers compensation law?
- What have been the trends over the past few years that have made vocational rehabilitation a hotter, more highly contested issue?
- Can vocational rehabilitation be a ‘trap’ for the unwary?
- Are the latest trends (from June 2007) demonstrating some movement in the direction of benefiting the injured worker/claimant?
- The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry issued new regulations for vocational counselors in June 2007. Relevant items are:
- (1) Insurance Companies must disclose to injured worker any financial interest they have with vocational counselors BEFORE interview is scheduled
- (2) counselor must disclose role/relationship with employee in writing BEFORE vocational interview
- (3) counselor need NOT be "approved" by the Department as was required by Act 57, but must meet minimum requirements outlined INCLUDING adherence to Code of Ethics and
- (4) VERY SPECIFIC time limits on when the vocational counselor sends reports to the injured worker - not just to the insurance company as had been done in the past..
- Compare the ‘independent’ medical exam to vocational rehabilitation— in what ways do they share common characteristics?
Janet continued to advocate for a person centered approach in creating meaningful accommodation and return to work strategies for injured workers.
Janet Fiore, CEO, The Sierra Group, joins the Board of Trustees for the Delaware Valley Eye Bank.
Every
year in the United States more than 46,000 people have their sight restored
through corneal transplantation, and hundreds of thousands of people benefit
from medical research and education made possible by donated eye tissue. The
Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley works 365 days a year to provide more than
800 local residents each year with the highest quality and safest corneal tissue
available. Support the "Gift of Sight" program. Learn about the Eye
Bank and make the decision to become a donor.
From left to right: Dave Smith, CEO, Janet Fiore, Trustee, Robert Millea, Trustee and Gene Pulgar, COO
The Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley has provided sight to nearly 20,000 individuals since its inception in 1957. From the beginning, the Eye Bank has been supported by the Lions Clubs of Delaware, New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania. As a local business leader, Fiore is the first ever non-Lion to be asked to serve as a trustee. Fiore says, "The Eye Bank allows miracles to happen every day. Restoring sight to over 800 Delaware Valley residents each year is an awesome undertaking and I'm excited to be a part of this effort." Every year in the United States more than 46,000 people have their sight restored through corneal transplantation, and hundreds of thousands of people benefit from medical research and education made possible by donated eye tissue. The Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley works 365 days a year to provide local residents each year with the highest quality and safest corneal tissue available.
The Sierra Group joins forces with HireHeroesUSA.org.
The
Sierra Group is proud to announce we are the chosen agent for Candidate Sourcing
for the exciting new Hire Heroes Program.
Hire Heroes is a business driven initiative with a goal of matching up returning
veterans with disabilities to its partner businesses across America. A program
of the Health Careers Foundation, Hire Heroes is proud to offer job openings
around the country with leading companies to Veterans with Disabilities.
“The Sierra Group is proud to join forces with Hire Heroes as a candidate sourcing partner,” said Janet Fiore, CEO, The Sierra Group. “We will work with our business partners across America to find the right healthcare career fit for our returning heroes.”
View the press release.
View or download the general
overview. PDF
- 70 K
The Sierra Group Inc. and Wachovia Presented Local Event to Mark 2007 National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Over
16,000 people attended Disability Mentoring Day events across the nation. The
program that was created to promote career development for students and job
seekers with disabilities through job shadowing, hands-on career exploration
and other employment related activities. The Sierra Group Inc., a full
service disability management firm in King of Prussia, has served as the Eastern
PA Regional Coordinator for this event over the past 5 years. This year
they were joined by Wachovia who offered to host the interactive mentoring
event at their Center City Philadelphia headquarters. Read more about
the recent Disability Mentoring Day.
Janet Fiore to speak at US Business Leadership Network’s 10th Annual Conference.
Janet
Fiore to speak at the US Business Leadership Network’s 10th Annual Conference and
2nd Annual National Career Fair at the Orlando's Buena Vista Palace and Spa
on September 25, 2007.
Janet's topic is “Disability and Age: Old Isn’t What it Used to Be”.
"Given the economic need for business to retain the talents of the aging worker, and the fact that 55 is when most Americans start to show health disorders and impairments, the approach that will be described begins to assess and accommodate this group of workers in the areas of vision, repetitive stress and mobility/pain issues."
Be Where the Jobs are When the Jobs are There with The Sierra Group's "Candidate Sourcing"!
What Is Candidate Sourcing?
Having the right person available at the right time can be the difference between profit and loss for a business. Proactive candidate sourcing allows Sierra Group to develop a pool of qualified candidates for our corporate partners so that we can help them quickly respond to an organizational need - this is especially valuable to those organizations that have high turnover or high growth rates. Our constant recruiting and evaluation efforts allow us to develop a list of available and motivated candidates that can seamlessly flow into existing accessible hiring practices so that critical positions can be filled quickly with the right people. For those candidates with disabilities that qualify for our sourcing program we can offer them unfettered and high level access to the people that make the hiring decisions for our corporate partners. Candidate sourcing ensures that the right people are where the jobs are when the jobs are there. Email info@thesierragroup.com for more information.
Janet Fiore interviewed by Monstor.com regarding disability policy and practice for business.
Janet
Fiore interviewed by Monster.com regarding
disability policy and practice for business. Addition: Noteworthy regarding
legislation, Senator
Ben Nelson (Democrat – Nebraska) continues to champion business
friendly incentives for companies who have people with disabilities on staff.”
Click here to view the entire article by Dan Woog on "Disability Update 2007".
Janet Fiore, CEO of The Sierra Group, gives insight to Philadelphia Business Journal as they delve into The Business Case for Hiring People with Disabilities.
Janet
gives insight on how employers can recoup accommodation costs through tax incentives
and credits in a March 30, 2007 Philadelphia Journal article, The Business
Case for Hiring People with Disabilities.
Click here to read the article.
Janet Fiore, CEO of the Sierra Group and director of The National Breakfast Club, elected to the Board of Directors for WYBE Television in Philadelphia.
Fifteen
years after its debut, WYBE continues as an alternative to traditional and
public television. WYBE operates analog channel 35 and digital channel 34 in
the Greater Philadelphia area. The station broadcasts to 2.9 million households
in 11 counties. WYBE is owned by Independence Public Media of Philadelphia,
or, as it is now known, Independence Media. The station provides a unique service
aimed at highlighting diversity and multi-cultural communities that lack ongoing
representation on any other broadcast outlet. Fiore states,"I am eager
to take part in this board. Given my work and life commitments to diversity
and community development, it will be a pleasure to be part of the WYBE team." For
more information visit www.wybe.org.
CEO,
Janet Fiore with US
Senator Ben Nelson (Democrat - Nebraska) at the annual Gala for The
American Association for People with Disabilities in Washington.
Click here for details on job creating legislation introduced by Senator Nelson.
On
August 23, 2006 Janet
Fiore spoke to 155 Female Business Executives at The Ritz Carlton Hotel
in Philadelphia. Janet was a featured speaker at the Women’s Business
Development Center Executive Leadership Luncheon. Janet spoke about how
to thrive in the face of adversity as part of the Women’s
Business Development Center (WBDC)
and the Women’s
Business Enterprise Council (WBEC)
for their “Lessons Learned on the Path to Leadership” series.
Fiore shared her own story of leadership, diversity and surviving change
as she grew her business while battling breast cancer and the surviving
the death of the bones in her hips.
View the press
release of the leadership panel. PDF
- 17 K
For more information on The Sierra Group, click on a category listed below:
- Recent Events and News
- Awards & Honors
- Publications & Press Releases
- History & Purpose
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Consulting Expertise
Recent Sierra Group Events and News:
- Janet Fiore speaks about "Candidate Sourcing" at the September Tucson National Rehabilitation Association’s Conference.
- Janet Fiore speaks at "TUESDAY TALKS" with the PA Business Leadership Network (BLN).
- Janet Fiore is the featured guest lecturer at Wilmington College.
- Janet Fiore speaks at the Pennsylvania Association of Vocational Education Special Needs Personnel (PAVESNP) 2007 Mid-Winter Conference
- Michael Fiore elected as Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of Pennsylvania Governor's Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities
- Janet Fiore joins the faculty of the World Congress & Expo on Disabilities.
- The Sierra Group serves as local coordinator for National Disability Mentoring Day
- Waiver/Funding for Assistive Technology, Michael Fiore, The Sierra Group.
- Sierra Group client makes NEWS during her job search
- Janet Fiore speaks at the Philadelphia Enable America Business to Business Breakfast.
- Janet Fiore speaks at the Enable America Community Connection Forum.
- Janet Fiore moderates a two-part panel discussion entitled "Pathways to Leadership" at the Rally Around Rehab conference at the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Association Professional Development Institute.
- The Sierra Group helps create legislation that is called "a win for America’s disabled veterans and all persons with severe disabilities and it’s a win for America’s taxpayers."
- The Sierra Group is featured in a Microsoft Press produced book, "Accessible Technology in Today's Business: Case Studies for Success"
- Sierra Group Sponsors a Recycling Technology Program to help people with disabilities gain access to low-cost computers
- The Sierra Group speaks at the Agilient Technologies Abilities Day
- The Sierra Group speaks before the Delaware Society for Human Resource Managers
- The Sierra Group was on a panel at the 52nd annual Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.
- The Sierra Group speaks at the Workplace Accommodations: State of the Science Conference.
- Disability Awareness Night with the Phillies! Exceptional Parent Magazine & Mass Mutual Honor Janet Fiore, CEO, The Sierra Group, at pre game ceremony.
- The Sierra Group and Sierra Group's Workplace Foundation launch employmentincentives.com.
For Sierra Group news and events prior to August 2005, please read our press archives.
Janet Fiore speaks at the National Rehabilitation Association’s Conference.
Janet
Fiore spoke at the September National Rehabilitation Association’s Annual Training Conference at
the Hilton Tuscon El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort in Tuscon, AZ.
Janet's topic was ”Candidate Sourcing – Using Business and Legislation for National Hiring Initiatives” This session reviews the successful combination of business needs, legislative initiatives, and hiring incentives. Sierra Group’s national employment model maximizes the efforts of public and private vocational rehabilitation programs while targeting specific business expansion opportunities for people with disabilities to work in customer service and health care industries.
Janet Fiore speaks at "TUESDAY TALKS" with the PA Business Leadership Network (BLN).
On
June 12, 2007, as an expert in accessible hiring practices, ADA,
Section 508, and assistive technology, Janet
Fiore spoke about those issues as the featured expert for the PA BLN "Tuesday
Talks".
More information on the "Tuesday
Talks" program. Word
- 74 K
More information on the Pennsylvania Business Leadership Network.
Janet Fiore, CEO of the Sierra Group, is the featured guest lecturer at Wilmington College.
On Monday, March 26, 2007, Janet Fiore gave an interactive presentation at Wilmington College on the "practical application" of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Janet Fiore, CEO of the Sierra Group, spoke at the Pennsylvania Association of Vocational Education Special Needs Personnel (PAVESNP) 2007 Mid-Winter Conference.
On March 5, 2007, Janet Fiore spoke at the PAVESNP 2007 Mid-Winter Conference. The topic of the conference was "State Initiatives and Special Populations in Career and Technical Education."
Janet spoke on AT with a focus on - what do employers need and want (rather than focus on students, pointing out that EDUCATION is to prepare students for EMPLOYMENT)? The point being flip the thinking/teaching = flip the results!
Here is what two attendees had to say about Janet's presentation:
"Thank you again for your most enlightening presentation. I learned so much about assistive devises that would help a student grow in their reading levels, and other supports to help them in becoming employable. I really learned more in your hour presentation then I have over my many years of teaching service."
and
"Your presentation was well done and I believe all of the folks who participated in you session were thrilled with the material you shared. I heard comments by many participants that your session was very worthwhile, informative and practical. The content you shared addressed a gap. We all work with students who have low reading levels and we all want strategies ... and, any interventions we can get our hands on to help those students compensate for their low reading abilities."
Michael Fiore elected as Vice
Chairman of the Executive Committee of Pennsylvania Governor's Committee for
the Employment of People with Disabilities Conference.
On
December 8, 2006 Michael
Fiore was elected as Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of Pennsylvania
Governor's Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities Conference.
While a general board member for the last five years, Michael will now be responsible for setting the agenda of this advisory group as it enhances its efforts to partner with business and industry to increase job opportunities for people with disabilities. Michael follows in the footsteps of Vice Chairman Connie Tarr who led the group for over 20 years.
Janet Fiore joins the faculty of the World Congress & Expo on Disabilities.
Janet Fiore, CEO of The Sierra Group, has joined the faculty of the World Congress & Expo on Disabilities. As one of the industry experts leading educational forums at the expo, Ms. Fiore will make two presentations on Friday of this year’s event. Her first presentation, “Fitting In - Today’s Educational Experience & Disability,” is in the Education track at one o’clock. The second, “The Workforce of the Future – High Tech, High Touch, High Rate of Turnover,” is found in the Assistive Technology Track at three o’clock.
The three day expo will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA, November 17-19, 2006. This leading expo is designed to provide information, products and services to the disability community. For more information on the event, visit www.wcdexpo.com.
The Sierra Group serves as local coordinator for National Disability Mentoring Day.
On October 18, The Sierra Group was the Regional Coordinator for National Disability Mentoring Day, and Mass Mutual Financial Group (Harris Fishman, Agency President, and Bruce Sham, Agency Vice President) was our gracious HOST company.
Mass Mutual Financial Group again reached out to individuals with disabilities in the greater Philadelphia area by sponsoring a very successful and informative mentoring event at their Bala Cynwyd Offices. The Sierra Group, Inc., a full service disability management firm in King of Prussia, served as the Regional Coordinator at the event that brought together job seekers with disabling conditions and HR staff from local corporations seeking the opportunity to include disability as part of their diversity plan. Corporate and community attendees who offered both their time and expertise to do one on one mock interviews, as well as offer “mentoring advice” included:
Participating companies included:
- Aramark
- Galia & Johnson Executive Search
- Olive Garden Restaurant
- PECO, an Exelon Company
- Rohm and Haas
- Verizon
- Wachovia
Community organizations included the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities and Hireability, as well as the Springfield Township School District.
Both Bruce Sham, Agency VP at Mass Mutual and Janet Fiore, CEO of Sierra expressed their gratitude to all attendees, for taking this step toward reversing the rate of unemployment for people with disabilities. As often happens in this type of event, the true dialog between job seekers and corporate personnel resulted in their being heard acknowledging how much they learned from each other. Job seekers said they gained good insight into what traits/skills/experience employers seek out, and how to effectively present their own unique abilities. Corporate staff acknowledged the importance of the technical information (how to effectively access employment incentives, how 508 legislation will affect company policies, etc.) and the soft skills necessary to effectively address whether or not a candidate’s disability will impact their ability to complete the essential functions of the job for which they are applying.
Asked how they knew the event was a success, both Sham and Fiore pointed out how no one seemed to want to leave the half day session and that all participants had requested to be included in any future events related to this successful mentoring day. They smiled and noted that whether you are leading or following, it is just as gratifying to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Waiver/Funding for Assistive Technology, Michael Fiore, The Sierra Group.
On October 4, 2006, Michael Fiore gave a presentation entitled "Waiver/Funding for Assistive Technology" at the Wacky Wizards Conference, at Berks County Technical Institute (BCTI) located in Reading, PA.
Janet Fiore was on the planning committee and answered questions on "Assistive Technology as Accommodations" in the Exhibit area. Janet also assisted with Michael's remote presentation.
Sierra Group client makes NEWS during her job search.
Click
here to view a captioned video of NBC 10 spotlighting job seeker Janice
Wilson and the role of accessible technology in the workplace. 
WMV
- 10 MB (Note: You must enable captions In Windows Media Player. For
instructions on how to enable captions, see the accessibility
page).
If you have trouble accessing the captioned video, you can right-click on the following zip file link and download the video to your computer. Unzip the file and follow the instructions in the read me text file.
NBC 10 captioned video of Janice Wilson. ZIP - 10 MB
Janet Fiore speaks at the Philadelphia Enable America Business to Business Breakfast.
Janet Fiore, CEO, will speak at the Enable America Business to Business Breakfast meeting. Janet's topic: "Accessible Hiring Toolkit" Let's get disability INTO diversity plans..
The Breakfast meeting is on September 13, 2006 at 8 a.m. at the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia, PA.
Enable America Business
to Business Breakfast meeting press release. PDF
- 47 K
Enable America Business
to Business Breakfast meeting invitation. PDF
- 45 K
July 17, 2006, Enable America Community Connection Forum at the Philadelphia Sheridan City Center Hotel.
Janet Fiore, CEO spoke at the Enable America Community Connection Forum at the Philadelphia Sheraton City Center Hotel on July 17, 2006. Enable America hosted the forum to promote awareness on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.
Janet spoke as an expert on the needs and wants of business when hiring and accommodating workers with disabilities.
For more information see the Enable America Community Connection Forum press release.
April 6, 2006, Harrisburg, PA. - Rally Around Rehab Conference at the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Association Professional Development Institute.
Janet Fiore moderated the two-part panel discussion entitled "Pathways to Leadership." National and local leaders from public and private rehabilitation provided insight regarding their own careers; then entertained questions and discussions from audience members regarding future and current leadership opportunities in Vocational Rehabilitation.
More
details and registration information. PDF
- 1.2 MB
The Sierra Group helps create legislation sponsored by Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson.
The Sierra Group helped create legislation
in what Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson describes as "a win for
America’s disabled veterans and all persons with severe disabilities
and it’s a win for America’s taxpayers.”
An
amendment sponsored by Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson creates new well-paying
jobs for disabled veterans and other persons with severe disabilities under
the Tax Reconciliation Act of 2005, passed by the Senate.
The Sierra Group attended a meeting on February 15, 2006 with Senator Ben Nelson and others to discuss strategies for obtaining passage of his amendment.
See
Senator Ben Nelson's press release. MS
Word - 26 K
The
amendment from the Congressional Record. PDF
- 44 K
The Sierra Group is featured in a book produced by Microsoft Press, "Accessible Technology in Today's Business: Case Studies for Success."
The
book demonstrates to business that not only are accessible solutions available
today that provide people with disabilities the essential tools they need to
work, but it makes good business sense to do so.
The book covers in-depth case studies that show solutions, a discussion of the business value of providing accessible technology, what accessible technology means including information about products and the benefits of accessible technology to people with disabilities, a five-step process your organization can use to develop and execute a strategic accessible technology plan, important purchase considerations and tools, and a prediction of what the future holds for accessible technology.
Click here to read an interview from the book with Sierra Group Rehabilitation Engineer and Consultant, Michael Fiore. Michael offers insight and best practices based on Fiore's experiences of consulting with organizations that are integrating accessible technology. The interview was conducted by Microsoft Accessible Technology author Janice Hertz.
Sierra Group Sponsors a Recycling Technology Program to help people with disabilities gain access to low-cost computers:
Recycle IT is a program of the Sierra Group's Workplace Foundation that provides people with disabilities seeking employment with low-cost Internet ready working computers. Recycle IT also provides people with disabilities a chance to gain computer repair and maintenance skills as they rehab the donated technology.
On November 7, 2005, The Sierra Group spoke at the Agilient Technologies Abilities Day
The Sierra Group helped celebrate Agilient Technologies Abilities Day by conducting an interactive discussion about the topic, "Is Disability part of your Corporate Diversity Initiative?"
On October 11, 2005, The Sierra Group spoke before the Delaware Society for Human Resource Managers - SHRM
October is National Disability Awareness Month. As part of this celebration, The Sierra Group spoke at an interactive discussion before the Delaware Society for Human Resource Managers about the topic, "Is Disability part of your Corporate Diversity Initiative?"
The Sierra Group was a panel member at the 52nd annual Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD), "Corporate Diversity Goals & Disability"
On October 5, 2005, The Sierra Group was on a panel discussing examples of workplace accommodations, assistive technology, universal accessibility and proactive business practices that enable all employees to work to their fullest potential. The conference will be held in the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center, King of Prussia, PA.
Registration
form and more information. PDF
- 169 K
The Sierra Group spoke at the Workplace Accommodations: State of the Science Conference, September 15-16, 2005, at the Georgia Tech Conference Center, Technology Square, Atlanta, GA
From the conference web site: "The conference will establish a national dialogue on the current state and future directions of workplace accommodations. The conference format will include plenary sessions, paper presentations in breakout sessions, and extensive opportunity for networking and discussion. A goal of the conference will be to develop an agenda for future directions in research, service delivery, and product development based on user needs for workplace accommodations."
"The conference will bring together researchers, practitioners (i.e., rehabilitation engineers, rehabilitation counselors, occupational therapists), policy makers, product designers, employers, and employees with disabilities who are interested in improving access to the workplace for people with disabilities."
The Sierra Group spoke specifically on "Disability, Age and Accommodation: Old isn't what it used to be."
For more information see the State of the Science Conference web site.
Disability Awareness Night
with the Phillies!
Exceptional Parent Magazine & Mass Mutual Honor Janet Fiore, CEO,
The Sierra Group
On August 19, 2005, The Philadelphia Phillies, Exceptional Parent Magazine, and First Financial Group/Mass Mutual hosted Disability Awareness Night™ at Citizen’s Bank Park, honoring Janet D. Fiore. This event paid tribute to the 54 million Americans with disabilities as they work with rehabilitation professionals, teachers, and corporate citizens to increase their independence.
For more details, view or download the press release. MS
Word - 183 K
The Sierra Group and Sierra Group's Workplace Foundation launch employmentincentives.com.
Sierra Group's Workplace Foundation and its major funding partner, The 
Sierra
Group have created employmentincentives.com as
an informational tool to assist employers in recognizing the scope and value
of various employment incentive programs.
Workplace Technology Foundation is a non-profit organization established for the reversing the rate of unemployment for people with disabilities. For more information on the Workplace Technology Foundation, visit our website.
Awards and Honors:
The Sierra Group and its staff have been the recipients of many awards and honors. The company and its principles have been featured in a variety of publications and on the air.
- Exceptional Parent Magazine & Mass Mutual Honor Janet Fiore, CEO, The Sierra Group.
- Janet Fiore, CEO of The Sierra Group Wins Mary E. Switzer Award.
- MS Leadership Award.
- "40 under 40" 1999 Award given by the Philadelphia Business Journal.
- "Woman of Distinction" 1999 Award given by the Philadelphia Business Journal, Forum of Female Executives and National Association of Women Business of Owners.
- 1999, given by Inc. Magazine's and Ericsson's Salute to Entrepreneurs Making a Difference in their Community.
- "One of Montgomery's Finest" 1999 Award given by The Times Herald.
- Cal Pava Prize 1998 Recipient given by the National Brain Tumor Foundation for enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through technology.
- "Dedicated Service to Community of Upper Merion Township" 1998 Award given by Upper Merion Township.
- 1998 Certificate of Appreciation, The Department of Veterans Affairs Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.
- "10 Top Movers and Shakers in the Phoenixville Community" 1997 Award.
Publications and Press Releases:
- Hire Heroes Program Begins Operation Nationwide Press Release, June 2007.
- Woog, Dan, "Disability Update 2007", Monster.com, April 2007.
- Scully, Sean, "The Business Case for Hiring People with Disabilities." Philadelphia Business Journal, 30 March 2007.
- Click here to read an interview from the book "Accessible Technology In Today's Business: Case Studies for Success" with Sierra Group Rehabilitation Engineer and Consultant, Michael Fiore. The interview was conducted by Microsoft Accessible Technology author Janice Hertz.
- Exceptional
Parent Magazine & Mass Mutual Honor Janet Fiore, CEO, The Sierra Group -The
Sierra Group Press Release MS
Word - 593 K
- Exceptional
Parent Magazine & Mass Mutual Honor Janet Fiore, CEO, The Sierra Group -
Exceptional Parent Magazine Press Release MS
Word - 183 K
- Janet Fiore, CEO of The Sierra Group will be the keynote speaker for the Employer Breakfast at the upcoming Diversity Job Fairs, June 15, 2005.
- Janet Fiore, CEO of The Sierra Group Wins Mary E. Switzer Award, April, 2005.
- Fiore, Michael. "Section 508: How it is driving technology and the employment of people with disabilities?" Contemporary Rehab Magazine, December 2004, Vol. 60, No. 7.
- The Sierra Group, Inc. acquires Pembroke, Jackie Pickering, December 17, 2004.
- Assistance for Small Businesses Hiring People with Disabilities, December 11, 2003.
- Rehab Management: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Rehabilitation. April/May 2000, 52.
- News Travel Network Northwest Airlines documentary, June 1999.
- "Make Yourself Heard: Ericsson Salutes Entrepreneurs Who Are Making a Difference in Their Communities," Inc. Magazine, November 1999.
- Key, Peter. "Lending a Hand." The Costco Connection, June 2000, 57-58.
- Ornstein, Beth. "Accommodating Disabled Employees in Office Can Be Easy." Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal, 5-11 July 1999, 13.
- Menon, Vinod. "Workers with Disabilities Gain New Inroads." A Gannett Newspaper in Lansdale, PA, 10 April 1999.
- Rotenberg, Carl. "Life's Work: For Sierra Group's Fiore, It Really Is." Times Herald, 2 May 1999, sec. A, p. 5.
- Key, Peter. "Award Puts Local Tech Firm on National Map." Philadelphia Business Journal, 5.
- Francis, Naila. "King of Prussia Firm Lauded for Efforts to Aid Disabled." Times Herald 12 May 1998.
- Berlin, Steve. "Through Technology, Firm Helps Disabled to Work." Business Ledger, May 1999, 5-7.
- Colan, Bernard J. "Functional Future for Working People with Disabilities." ADVANCE for Occupational Therapists.
- "Enhancing Lives through Technology." PN Paraplegia, September 1998.
- Geiger, Mia. "Janet Fiore Helps the Disabled Get to Work: CEO of The Sierra Group Uses Technology to Help People with Disabilities." Philadelphia Business Journal.
- Kerr, Tom. "The Jaime Frey Story: Rainbows". ADVANCE for Occupational Therapists, 7 July 1997.
- Ornstein, Beth. "Fiore: Combining Technology, Compassion." Philadelphia Business Journal 19-25 February 1999.
- Rotenberg, Carl. "Enabling Disabled: Business Plan a 'Capital' Idea." Times Herald, sec. B, p. 1-2.
- "Sierra Group Honored for Aiding People with Disabilities." Philadelphia Inquirer, 6 July 1998.
History & Purpose:
The Sierra Group mission driven organization that stands for reversing the high rate of unemployment for people with disabilities in America.
The enactment of the 1992 Rehabilitation Act, (P.L. 102-559), was the starting point for The Sierra Group, Inc., with the purpose of educating and training individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment. Sierra, an innovative rehabilitation engineering consulting company, recognized the need to creatively use technology to enhance human potential and overcome disability-related barriers to employment.
Finding the right assistive technology, learning how to use it, and integrating this technology and business strategies into a work scenario is a complicated puzzle - one that Sierra solves on a daily basis. Sierra calls their approach to marrying assistive devices with mainstream business software and hardware applications "Workplace Technology." The approach is two-fold. First, after a thorough evaluation, Sierra helps the individual to develop basic educational skills such as spelling and math, and then integrates individually tailored assistive devices and strategies into a business work site.
U.S. Census statistics show that 20 percent of Americans have a disability. Of that total, 27 million Americans have a severe disability that affects their ability to see, hear, walk or perform other functions common to the workplace. While assistive technology is enabling thousands of these individuals to work, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities who are looking to work hovers at 70 to 80 percent, more than 11 times the national rate of 6 percent.
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) 1998 study revealed that 25 percent of all people with disabilities who work use assistive technology. This same study also noted that 45 percent of those with disabilities who are unemployed state that they would require assistive technology in order to become employed.
The Sierra Group is a 10 person certified female-owned company. With a success rate of 91%, Sierra's implementation of assistive technology solutions far exceeds the national average (as reported by the Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America RESNA, 1999) wherein only 49% of AT solutions remain in use six months after they are acquired. The Sierra Group has provided expert commentary to the Government Accounting Office (GAO) regarding business use of tax incentives; given testimony to the United States House Congressional Committee on Small Business; and is contracted to provide Section 508 Accessibility Training to Government Services Administration (GSA) procurement officials.
Sierra is located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania and serves clients nationally. Sierra consultants offer new employment potential to Americans with disabling conditions through a unique mix of experience in working simultaneously with business, government, schools and not-for-profit organizations.
Principal shareholder Janet Fiore experiences first hand what it is like to live and work with a hidden disability. Janet is a founding member of the Workplace Technology Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting KNOWLEDGE that will change the currently dismal employment picture for people with disabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions:
WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE SIERRA GROUP?
To reverse the rate of unemployment for
people with disabilities
WHAT IS THE VISION OF THE SIERRA GROUP?
To enhance the human potential of persons
with disabilities through technology and create solutions for businesses
to employee them.
HOW DID THE SIERRA GROUP GET ITS NAME?
The name helps illustrate the mission,
mission of changing the environment and landscape of the workplace
for persons with disabilities.
HOW LONG HAS THE SIERRA GROUP EXISTED?
The Sierra Group began in 1991 to fill
the void that exists in both working with individuals and businesses
to create mutually beneficial solutions for employing persons with
disabilities.
HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE DISABILITIES?
U.S. Census statistics show that 20 percent
of Americans have disabilities. Of that total 27 million Americans
have a severe disability that affects their ability to see, hear,
walk, or perform other functions in the workplace.
HOW MANY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE UNEMPLOYED?
The unemployment rate for people with
disabilities is 70 to 80 percent more than eleven times the national
rate of 6 percent.
HOW DOES THE SIERRA GROUP TRAIN PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?
The Sierra Group meets with individuals
and assesses their personal and professional goals, and then a tailor
made curriculum program is created to help achieve that individual's
goals. The Sierra Group has trained 2,000 people to date.
HOW DOES THE SIERRA GROUP WORK WITH BUSINESSES?
The Sierra Group provides an integrated
services approach. The Sierra Group meets with businesses' representatives
and assesses their professional needs, then devises solutions to
accommodate employees and to ensure each individual's productivity.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR BUSINESSES THAT EMPLOY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
TRAINED BY SIERRA?
First a business will be hiring a well-trained
qualified candidate. Statistically, people with disabilities stay at
jobs longer and don't miss work as often. Additionally, employers can
benefit financially, through tax incentives, matching funds to offset
a person's wages for training, and for grants to pay for assistive
technology.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO BEING TRAINED BY THE SIERRA GROUP?
The Sierra Group has a success rate of
80% in implementing assistive technology solutions. This far exceeds
the national average of only 49% of assistive technology solutions,
which remain in use six months after they are acquired.
HOW DO I CONTACT THE SIERRA GROUP?
E-mail info@thesierragroup.com Press
Room; or by phone at 1.800.973.7687.
For more information see the Expertise page, or call 800.973.7867 to request video clips or CV's for corporate principles.
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Accessibility - Compliance - Diversity