Elmira City School District Honored with 2026 Employer Recognition Award from The Arc New York

 

TO:                 News Editors

DATE:            August 27, 2026

CONTACT:    Missy Smith, Director of Marketing and Community Development

                        607.734.6151 x122 or email SmithML@arcofcs.org

 

RE:                 Elmira City School District Honored with 2026 Employer Recognition Award from The Arc New York

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

Elmira, NY | Watkins Glen, NY – The Arc Chemung-Schuyler is proud to announce that the Elmira City School District has been selected as one of four statewide recipients of The Arc New York’s 2026 Employer Recognition Award, honoring employers who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to inclusive employment and creating meaningful opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

 

The award recognizes the Elmira City School District’s more than decade-long partnership with The Arc Chemung-Schuyler and its continued commitment to providing inclusive employment, vocational experiences, and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to build skills, pursue career goals, and contribute to their community.

 

“The Elmira City School District has been an exceptional partner in creating opportunities for people with disabilities to explore careers, gain valuable work experience, and achieve meaningful employment,” said Lindsey Baranyk Director of Community Services with The Arc Chemung-Schuyler. “Their commitment is evident at every level—from administrative leadership to classroom educators—and we are proud to partner with them in this important work.”

 

Creating Pathways to Meaningful Employment -

The Elmira City School District currently employs four individuals supported by The Arc Chemung-Schuyler in positions including classroom aides, cafeteria staff, and bus aides, while also providing work experiences, internships, assessments, and pre-vocational opportunities throughout the district. Over the years, at least a dozen individuals have participated in some form of vocational experience within the school district.

 

The district takes an individualized approach to employment, meeting with candidates and their support teams to understand each person’s strengths, interests, preferences, and support needs. Administrators then work to identify positions and school locations that provide a strong match, while considering reasonable accommodations and the supports necessary for success. This approach has helped create lasting employment opportunities.

 

A Partnership That Extends Beyond Employment -

The district’s commitment to inclusion goes beyond hiring. The Elmira City School District has welcomed The Arc Chemung-Schuyler into its schools through programs including Kids on the Block, pre-vocational experiences, student assessments, classroom-based work experiences, summer programming, and community-based activities.

 

The district also plays an important role in helping students and families connect with resources and services offered by The Arc Chemung-Schuyler, including clinical services, Community Habilitation, summer food programming, and employment-related transition services. Educators and specialists collaborate with The Arc’s transition team to identify students who may benefit from vocational services and help them prepare for employment or post-secondary opportunities.

 

Within the district, employees are supported through professional development, opportunities for advancement, flexible scheduling, and open conversations about accommodations and individual needs. The district also promotes inclusion through school-wide events, professional development, and educational opportunities focused on topics such as autism, executive functioning, accessibility, and inclusive practices.

 

“The relationship between The Arc Chemung-Schuyler and the Elmira City School District demonstrates what is possible when employers focus on an individual’s abilities, interests, and potential,” said Salvatore Garozzo, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc Chemung-Schuyler. “This recognition celebrates not only the district’s commitment to inclusive employment, but also the many individuals who have been given the opportunity to discover their strengths, develop their skills, and build successful careers.”

 

 

ABOUT THE ARC OF CHEMUNG-SCHUYLER

The Arc Chemung-Schuyler is a family-based organization that empowers people with different abilities to lead a life of their choice. Serving more than 900 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families, across an 18-county service area, the organization provides a broad range of person-centered services and supports designed to promote independence, inclusion, employment, and community participation. Learn more at www.arcofcs.org.

 

The Arc Chemung-Schuyler is a chapter of the state organization, The Arc New York, the largest provider of supports and services for people intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York state. The 35 local Chapters of The Arc New York collectively support more than 60,000 people with disabilities and their families in every county of the state, and employ more than 30,000 people in the shared mission to provide people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities the ordinary and extraordinary opportunities of life. Founded by families more than 75 years ago, The Arc New York continues to be an influential advocate for the rights, opportunities, and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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