Many of HSW's employees live with disabilities such as polio, spinal-cord injuries, birth defects or cognitive disabilities, or are hearing or visually impaired, but the company strives to help its work force gain independence.

The term "social responsibility" is more than a corporate catchphrase to Handicapped Sales Workshop (HSW) Inc. Since 1989, the company has built a strong foundation centered on this concept, and has found success in creating job opportunities for disabled workers, including the deaf and the blind. "More than 75 percent of disabled people are unemployed," says CEO Joe Lenihan. "Many companies think it's difficult to hire 'the disabled,' mainly due to fear and uncertainty. Businesses are concerned about ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] compliance, violations and the possibility of lawsuits, but we decided we would make the full commitment to providing employment opportunities and, in the process, afford our disabled workers full citizenship - a real job."

The Pompano, Fla.-based company focuses on producing short-run silk-screen printed promotional products. HSW uses a manufacturing process that allows workers to sit down while performing the job. "A hand pedal is just as good as a foot pedal," Lenihan says.

Although Lenihan did not have prior experience in the industry, he learned of the business through a former vocational teacher. "It's the ideal industry for us, because 90 percent of the equipment is automatic," Lenihan says. "The printer can set up the job, inks and organize everything they need and, after they get the first proof of the product, everything from that point on is automatic. We paid the extra money to have our vendors design the equipment for us, but the dividend in the end is employee loyalty."
Founded by Lenihan and his wife, company President Elyse Lenihan, HSW manufactures promotional apparel such as pens, magnetic products, key chains, calendars, mouse pads, beverage coolers and letter openers, all of which can be customized with the customers' logos.

'Skilled Workers'
Operating as a for-profit agency, HSW says it is acting on its social responsibility by training and offering work to an often-neglected segment of society. HSW works with Goodwill, American Rehabilitation Center, Foundation for Independent Living, Florida Division of Blind Services and other social-recovery agencies to find disabled people who need and want to work.

The company works with IQ-challenged people as well as physically handicapped workers, and trains them to do the job well. "Our managers follow our training motto - leadership, encouragement and motivation," Lenihan explains. "Always lead a worker to a place of success within the limits of their skills. Encourage workers by recognizing and commenting on excellent work. Motivate them with rewards of money and lunch vouchers."

Many of HSW's employees live with disabilities such as polio, spinal-cord injuries, birth defects or cognitive disabilities, or are hearing or visually impaired, but the company strives to help its work force gain independence. "We have medical and dental plans and even a 401(k) program," Lenihan explains. "We offer everything that ‘real' companies offer to their employees [and] encourage a person's abilities, rather than their disabilities, while producing a quality product that will promote the service-industry businesses. We are seeking orders from businesses and organizations that will ensure the success of our program."

HSW's customers are guaranteed a high-quality product, and are also given an opportunity to contribute to society, the company notes. "Even the most well-meaning small-business owner would find it impossible to hire a handicapped person," HSW explains. "By purchasing products from [our company], they are doing their part to employ this segment of the population."