"A few years ago," White said, "Incept was looking for ways to expand our business." A senior sales executive, with a brother that is a quadriplegic, brought the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission to the company's attention. Working with the Oho RSC could provide more opportunities to people with disabilities to secure employment.

"We discovered a program called the 'governor's initiative', White explained. "Through this program, the Rehabilitation Services Commission provides companies with the equipment they need to expand. In exchange, job slots are created for people with disabilities."

Incepts participation in the 'governor's initiative' program has proved to be a win-win situation While several new employment opportunities were created for people with disabilities, the company received 25 personal computers and a digital recording system for our use,

Incept viewed the Rehabilitation Services program as more than a way to facilitate growth. "We saw it as a way to be a socially responsible company," Jeff White points out. "People with disabilities are enabled to contribute to the tax base rather than consuming tax dollars."

"My understanding," the Incept CEO continues, "is that the average cost to train a disabled consumer is approximately $7,000. When that investment is compared with the potential of generating tax revenue for 10, 15 or 20 years down the line, the return more than justifies the investment."

"It's important to note, " White emphasized, "that at Incept opportunities go well beyond entry-level positions. We have a telecommunications systems manager and a marketing person that have both come from the ORSC system."

Incept's CEO explained that wide area network solution have been put in place to allow people with severe physical disabilities to work from home. He noted that the company employs a quadriplegic who functions in a remote Quality Auditing capacity.

"Whether they are monitoring calls for our R&D call center in Canton or for an outside vendor in any state," notes, White, "their computer at home allows them to provide quality services and ensure regulatory assurance for our clients."

"Mr. Chairman", Jeff White declared, "all of us in this room, and around the state of Ohio, want to have a feeling of self-worth. For many of us," he continued, "that comes through the work we do. Can you imagine how frustrating it must be...not to be able to support yourself because of lack of funding for training or adaptive equipment?"

White, speaking of those with disabilities, stressed, "We need to engage all capable people in the workforce. These wonderful people need the respect and feeling of self worth that comes with the availability of consistent, reliable employment opportunities.".

"As a businessman", said Incept CEO Jeff White, "I urge you and your colleagues to provide every dollar you can for vocational rehabilitation. VR provides able workers for Ohio's businesses. It brings dignity and self-respect to our employees. I am confident that, if the state provides enough resources, it could dramatically reduce your social service and social welfare costs."

"There are many people, as I understand," White reflected, "who want to go to work but are on a waiting list to see a counselor. From my point of view, every day that a person with a disability waits is another day they could be generating state income tax ."

To conclude, the Incept CEO, stated, "I want to thank you for the opportunity to come here today to talk to my elected representatives about an initiative that I care passionately about. It's an honor to speak freely to the people who run our great state, and renew my faith that our system works and that individuals can make a difference."