Supporting People with Disabilities

[On screen copy] Support Services at Bank of America employs over 300 people with intellectual disabilities
Music throughout
Selina Waller - So many success stories in here, it’s just crazy.
[On screen copy] Keri Laws, Support Services Employee
Keri Laws - It makes me feel really good that I’m getting married this year.
[On screen copy] Dawn Trinidad, Support Services Employee
Dawn Trinidad - I’m a good influence on my son because I got my job here.
[On screen copy] Selina Waller, Support Services Employee
Selina - Everybody encourage you to do your best.
Dawn - Yes, this is a job that I can do!
Selina - I have a future here.
Keri - We’ve become friends here at Bank of America, it’s like a family.
[On screen copy] Bank of America signage
Kelly Fredrickson - Support Services is an organization within Bank of America of about 300 people with intellectual disabilities.  And they do graphic design, printing, kitting, fulfilling, and inventory management.  
[On screen copy] Kelly Fredrickson, Creative, Brand and Agency Management Executive
Kelly - That’s what they do.  Who they are is one of the best parts of Bank of America.
[On screen copy] Mark Feinour, Support Services Executive
Mark Feinour - The culture within Support Services is for our teammates to look out for each other.  And what we found with Ron and Terence is, they have a special relationship.  Ron is a great resource for Terence, to help him get to and from the building each morning.  And then on the flip side, Terence is a help with Ron when they sit there and do fulfillment jobs together.  They compliment each other well with their abilities. 
Speaker - Ron is an asset to the team, keep up the great job Ron.
[On screen copy] Anne Finucane, Vice Chairman
Anne Finucane - So much of what you do is about the respect that we’re giving to our customers.  Without your help, we simply would not do as well.  And you should congratulate yourselves for that.
Mark - We consider Support Services like any other line of business.  Everything that we do within Support Services is 100% quality checked.  And 99% of our business is repeat business because our customers see what we do and realize that they’re getting a better product at a lower cost than they would using an outside supplier.
Kelly - We have a real opportunity and responsibility at Bank of America to demonstrate inclusivity, to demonstrate what it means to build a diverse workforce, to demonstrate that we understand our customers’ needs, all of our customers.  And I think having a group like Support Services integral to the fabric of Bank of America helps all of our employees understand what it means to work in an inclusive place.
Selina - Hey guys, how we doing this morning?
(laughter)
Selina - Family, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart.  This is family.  From the moment we come in the morning till the time we leave, this is us.
End card: (end slide)
Bank of America logo
ALL OF US / BETTER CONNECTED
To learn more, visit bankofamerica.com/supportinginclusion

© 2017 Bank of America Corporation
End card: (end card)
Bank of America logo
LIFE / BETTER CONNECTED
To learn more, visit bankofamerica.com/supportinginclusion

© 2017 Bank of America Corporation

Graphic: 2015 Governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinction Outstanding Adult

Graphic: Chandler Henry, Indian Land, SC

Donna Sobotkin:

People with disabilities, particularly someone with high-level spinal cord injuries, as Chandler experienced, have to overcome a long list of environmental and attitudinal barriers. I think that drive and persistence have really helped him to not only overcome the barriers, but also really excel in what he’s doing. I think the other thing that’s remarkable about Chandler and has been the case for the 16 years I’ve known him, is his outlook on life is just very optimistic and positive.

Jacob Lawler:

When you first meet Chandler, you’ll be quick to realize that he’s an extremely sharp, quick witted guy whose work ethic will inspire you. Chandler is an outstanding people person. The patience and empathy he shows towards everyone really drives his success. His optimism on life is just contagious. And he’s really just a fun guy to work with.

Teresa Pahutski:

I think the bank, when he came in, they saw a young man and not the chair. They saw the attitude, the knowledge, the hunger to learn and do. Determination, positive, retaining his knowledge. Researching. Those all propelled him forward. I think it gives him a sense of confidence that exudes. He shares it with everyone.

Jason Pritchard:

When we first hired Chandler, we were somewhat apprehensive about both his physical disabilities and his lack of experience. What we realized very quickly was that Chandler’s willingness to learn, his thirst for knowledge, and his willingness to work with a team far outweighed any of our concerns. And we would definitely encourage people to look for more people like Chandler.

Bill McNairy:

I think with the can-do attitude and how proactive and eager Chandler has been, I think he has a lot of runway. We just promoted him this year. We see continued success for Chandler and continued expansion of his role and certainly opportunity for additional roles either in my department or also in other places within the company if that’s where he’d like to take his career.

Cheryl Greer:

Chandler approaches each challenge with a positive and helpful attitude. He doesn’t take no for an answer. He wants to understand what he’s doing and why and how it fits into the big picture. The advice I would give to other employees from a manager perspective when recruiting candidates is not limit your scope or exclude a candidate that may have a physical disability. Those are easily overcome with today’s technology. If you’re not broadening your scope, you could be missing out on top talent.

Chandler Henry:

I have many important people that have come across my life that have done many things for me that I’m inspired by. If I’d narrow it down for this question, I’d say that one is certainly my girlfriend Natalie who’s been with me for the last eight years. I think accepting someone with a disability and being able to be in a relationship is not something that everyone can do. It takes a lot of time, a lot of care and a lot of commitment. My second role model would be Donna Sobotkin, my vocational rehab counselor off-and-on for the last 16 years. Her commitment to public service and the clients that she has is amazing. It just makes me want make her proud.

Eunice K. Shriver: Tonight, in this great stadium, a new legend is born.

You, athletes, are the heroes of that legend.

You have taught us that what truly counts is the courageous spirit and the generous heart.

The right to play on any playing field?

You have earned it.

The right to study in any school?

You have earned it.

The right to hold a job?

You have earned it.

The right to be anyone's neighbor?

You have earned it.

The days of separation and segregation are over.

As the philosopher wrote, “After conquering the winds and the waves, tides and gravity, we shall harness energies of love, and then, for the second time in the history of the world, man will discover fire.”

SUPER: #PICKUPHOPE

LOGO: Bank of America | Special Olympics

TAGLINE: HOPE / BETTER CONNECTED

TAGLINE: LIFE / BETTER CONNECTED

TEXT: Learn more at bankofamerica.com/pickuphope

URL: bankofamerica.com/pickuphope

LEGAL: © 2017 Bank of America Corporation

SFX: Uplifting Music

Text: These Special Olympics Southern California athletes thought they were just getting a tour of Dodger Stadium.

Text: But they were in for an unforgettable surprise.

Paul Lapre (PL): Go Dodgers!

(EXCITED CONVERSATION)

Special Olympics Athletes (SOA): JT! Alright!

SOA: Cody!

Garrett Gin (GG): How you guys doing?

CHEERS

GG: I’m Garrett from Bank of America. Welcome to Dodger Stadium.

CHEERS/CLAPPING

GG: We have two special guests who are going to spend the day with you.

SOA: Joc Pederson!

CHEERS/CLAPPING

Joc Pederson (JP): This is my brother Champ, how are you? What’s up guys?

JP: On behalf of Bank of America, we are going to bring you guys out to the game tonight.

CHEERS

JP: You guys ever taken any fly balls or anything on the field?

SOA: No!

JP: Let’s go do it, c’mon!

CHEERS

JP: Growing up with Champ and doing Special Olympics with him, he did a bunch of different sports. It’s just something that we did as a family.

JP: Hey Paul, I heard you’re the pitcher. What about before the game, you threw out the first pitch?

PL: Oh my God! Thank you God! That’s gonna make me just cry!

Justin Turner (JT): Can I sign these balls for you guys?

SOA: Thank you, Justin!

Stadium Announcer: And here to throw out the first pitch is Paul Lapre.

STADIUM CHEERS

PL: That will be my memory for the rest of my life. I will never forget it.

Text: Bank of America, #MLBmemorybank

Logos: Bank of America logo, Dodgers logo, Special olympics logo

Right from the start, Dustin just wanted to play.

Maybe some people looked at him and saw a kid who was different.

But with a bat or ball in his hand, on a golf course, or on a track, he didn’t feel different.

He just felt like a kid who wanted to compete.

With Special Olympics he had the chance.

And no matter how big the stage, Dustin has always risen to the occasion.

As an athlete, as a World Games board member, and now – on the biggest stage yet;

As an ESPN analyst for 2015 Special Olympics World Games.

I’m here all week with Bank of America and ESPN to show the world what inclusion and respect is all about.

Special Olympics World Games
Los Angeles 2015
Begins Saturday, July 25th on ESPN
Presented by Bank of America