Incept Corporation Named Ohio Employer of the Year

Canton, OH - Incept Corporation, a direct marketing and consulting firm, was named Ohio Employer of the Year for 2003 by the Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities.

The award is presented to the most outstanding employers of people with disabilities in the state. Awards are presented in three categories based on size; Incept received the award for midsize businesses.

Jeff White, CEO of Incept Corporation, said, “We are honored to be recognized by the state of Ohio. We feel an obligation to give back to the community and help disabled individuals by offering employment in an environment where they can excel and grow.” White added, “We hope that our recognition will inspire other employers to get involved with the program. The state is ready and willing to provide training and economic development funds to companies that can focus on a person’s ability rather than disability”

On May 7, White and Lloyd Hinson of Incept (a beneficiary of state-funded rehabilitation training) traveled to Washington, D.C. to testify before Congress in support of federal rehabilitation funding. They were joined by John Connelly, Executive Director of RSC and President of the National Organization of Rehabilitation Partners, who urged Congress to spend an additional $200 million on the nationwide program.

On May 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1261, providing for reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which includes the Rehabilitation Act as Title IV. The next step for the bill will be in the U.S. Senate.

Companies interested in hiring people with disabilities should contact:
Connie O'Brien, Manager
Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission
400 E. Campus View Blvd., SW4
Columbus, OH 43235-4604
1-800-282-4536

Located in Canton, Ohio, Incept Corporation is a direct marketing and consulting firm that provides independent call program testing, benchmarking, remote quality auditing and regulatory compliance services. Customers include Microsoft, The American Heart Association, J.D. Power and Associates and Rockwell International. For more information, contact Incept Corporation at 330-649-8000 or visit their web site at www.InceptCorp.com.

Excerpt from Newsnet:   www.state.oh.us/rsc

Canton Men Give Capital Testimony in Support of VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

Jeff White and Lloyd Hinson of Incept Corporation traveled to Washington to testify May 7 in support of the federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) program. White is CEO of the Canton-based company and Hinson, a former VR consumer, is on White’s management team.

White described VR as “one of America’s most effective programs,” as well as one of its “best-kept secrets.” He told U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Ohio), who chairs the congressional appropriations panel on health and human services funding, that federal support for vocational rehabilitation is an investment that helps “physically handicapped people generate a tax base instead of consume it.”

Hinson can attest to that. Kidney failure put an end to his career in restaurant work. After a transplant, he earned a degree from Stark State College of Technology with tuition assistance from the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. A second kidney transplant occurred during his second-to-last semester. After graduation, RSC helped him find a job at Incept.

White joined forces with RSC in July 2000 to expand his business through a Governor’s Initiative agreement: RSC bought 25 computers for Incept in exchange for several job slots for people with physical disabilities. Hinson filled one of the jobs. Two promotions later, he’s manager of telecommunications systems for the direct-marketing consulting firm.

“The Rehab Services Commission staff were there for me every step of the way,” said Hinson, who also owes a great deal to White. “He changed the company’s prescription coverage so that I could get all my medications.”

John Connelly, Executive Director of RSC, joined White and Hinson before the panel. Seventy-nine percent of RSC’s funding is from the federal government. Connelly, who’s also president of the National Organization of Rehabilitation Partners, urged Congress to spend an additional $200 million on the nationwide program.

On May 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1261 providing for reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which includes the Rehabilitation Act as Title IV. The next step for the bill will be in the U.S. Senate. Its first hearing is scheduled June 18.