RIDDC’s Babin Earns Dave Hammis Employment Innovation Award

WARWICK, RI — Sue Babin, Director of RI Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC)’s Self Employment Project, champion of people with developmental disabilities, is also the latest recipient of the Dave Hammis Employment Innovation Award.

“That was quite the surprise,” said Babin, reflecting on the National Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) conference in South Carolina this June, during which she learned she had been nominated for the award, itself a surprise. When she learned she had also won the honor, “I was totally shocked,” she said. 

Established in recognition of Dave Hammis, the award honors his contributions to the APSE organization, his creativity and fresh approach to supporting people in inclusive workplaces, whether at a business or through self-employment. Erica Belois-Pacer, Professional Development Director of APSE National, added, “This award is offered to individuals or organizations who demonstrate innovation in technology, customized strategies, and/or self-employment for individuals with significant disabilities.”

Babin nominated by colleague for award

Babin’s award nomination was submitted by Doug Crandell, consultant for Griffin Hammis Associates, which is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of customized employment services for people with disabilities. Among the many letters of support from the organization Molly Sullivan commented to Ms. Babin, “You truly embody Dave’s creativity and innovation – finding solutions and building opportunities at every turn!  Your vision for a national coalition is a perfect example of your brilliance in action!”

Crandell, who has conducted Employer Engagement trainings with Babin for years, added, “This year a number of fans want to recognize her fantastic leadership in developing self-employment outcomes in RI and across the country.” Rhode Island business owners also wrote letters of support.

The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC) has spent several years providing people with disabilities the resources to be self-reliant business owners and   community members, with a growing  business education rep and mission. During the last five years, RIDDC has partnered with the RI Department of Labor and Training, fueled by grants from the DLT’s “Real Pathways RI” initiative.

“It really puts such a focus on all the work we’re doing in Rhode Island,” Babin said.

The award also has a personal meaning for Babin, who knew its namesake.

“Dave was a person that I knew, that I met, thirty years ago,” Babin said, about 20 years ago, around the time he had created an agency similar to, and predating, the RIDDC.Unfortunately, he died of a heart attack about 10 years ago.

“Dave was just a real pioneer,” Babin said, “Back then, and even today, people didn’t get that get that people with disabilities are just like us,” Babin said. Her surprise and happiness after being presented with the award was all the sweeter when Babin received a note from Dave’s wife, reading, ‘Dave would be so happy that your’re carrying the torch for him,” it read, Babin remembered.

During her comments accepting the award, Babin credited her colleagues and the families of people with disabilities.

“It’s because we have such a solid team of family members, special educators, businesspeople and peers.”

She continued, “Ours in not just a human service project. We’ve brought in the right people to be able to get the work done. And, more importantly, figured out what all ongoing support needs are for business development.”

Clearly, this program has differences that are distinctions. “What makes our program stand out is that we have the right staff and the ongoing support. Many others have business development programs with classes. We uniquely provide ongoing support that entrepreneurs need for production, for marketing, and for being flexible with their product design. What sets us apart is that we focus on all of it.

The list of supports the RIDDC Self Employment project offers to help people feel that they have a legitimate business and promote their business is lengthy: the business directory, the mini grants, access to resources, RIDDC, and the Office of Rehabilitative Services (ORS).

“Above all, if it weren’t for the Department of Labor and Training (DLT) funding, we would never have had this tremendous opportunity,” Babin said.