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McDonald's owner recognized as 'outstanding employer of disabled people'

McDonald’s announced Nancy Endres, owner and operator of the McDonald’s restaurant of East Aurora, New York, received statewide recognition for her efforts to help disabled people.

October 26, 2015

McDonald’s announced Nancy Endres, owner and operator of the McDonald’s restaurant of East Aurora, New York, at 17 Ernst Place, received statewide recognition Oct. 22 for her efforts to help disabled people become members of the local workforce.

The award was presented as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, according to a company press release. Endres received the award from the New York State Education Department during a private award ceremony in Depew.

"I am nothing without my employees," Endres said. "If I don’t take care of my internal customers, I can’t take care of my external customers. Our special needs crew members are a vital part of our daily operations."

Endres estimates 10 percent of her McDonald’s crew members are people with disabilities. They perform important restaurant functions, including food prep work, dishwashing and other cleaning tasks, and hospitality services in the dining room area, the release stated.

In addition to working closely with her special needs employees and their job coaches, Endres also provides extensive education for the restaurant’s managers who oversee day-to-day operations. They are trained in communication skills, flexible thinking, awareness of unique challenges, and follow-up strategies that help disabled employees become more comfortable, productive and happy.

McDonald’s restaurants have a long-standing commitment to a diverse workforce, Endres explained.

Duane Lafferty, an employment specialist who provides support for workers with special needs, nominated Endres for the award in recognition of the extensive opportunities she provides at her restaurant. Over the past two decades, Lafferty has witnessed firsthand Endres’ enthusiastic support for disabled workers within her McDonald’s location.

The award event was sponsored by the Western New York Employment Consortium, the NYS Office of Adult Career and Continuing Educational Services-Vocational Rehabilitation and the NYS Commission for the Blind.