William Fahey is a ticket taker at Gillette Stadium who greets fans in rain, sleet, or snow with a huge smile on his face. His employer, The Kraft Group’s TeamOps, actively supports that commitment and enthusiasm by providing accommodations that allow him to be a top performer.
For those reasons UMass Medical School’s Work Without Limits honored TeamOps and Fahey, who has cerebral palsy and developmental delays, at the 2016 Raise the Bar Hire! conference. In addition to the awards, the annual event includes keynotes, educational sessions and a career fair.
Fahey earned the Exemplary Employee award, which goes to an individual who is an exceptional team member dedicated to providing excellent service. TeamOps was honored with the Exemplary Employer award, given to organizations that hire individuals with disabilities and advance workplace diversity in Massachusetts. TeamOps Director of Operations Kelly Way, who provides coaching and supports to Fahey, accepted the award for TeamOps.
“Organizations like TeamOps show that inclusive employers promote success. Team Ops, its leadership and its employees have been responsive and supportive, working diligently with Fahey to overcome challenges so he may succeed,” said Work Without Limits Director Kathleen A. Petkauskos, who presented the awards.
Fahey, an avid New England Patriots fan, started working for TeamOps in May 2014, earning the title of Employee of the Month five months later. Fahey scans customer tickets, provides assistance, and addresses patrons’ accessibility issues, always with a positive attitude.
From the very beginning, even at orientation, Fahey’s tenure with TeamOps has been a very inclusive, positive experience. TeamOps has been employing people with disabilities for years, providing natural supports that help Fahey and others succeed. When Fahey struggled with time management during breaks due to a policy banning cell phones, slight adjustments were made to keep him on schedule.
Working for TeamOps has opened many doors for Fahey. He now collects tickets at Boston Red Sox games and at Boston College hockey and football games. He also works a few days a week at Modell’s Sporting Goods, and has recently bought his own condo.
TeamOps was nominated for the award by Fahey’s mother, Elizabeth Fahey. She was compelled to submit the nomination last fall while listending to Petkauskos present the Exemplary Employer Award to the Boston Bruins.
Work Without Limits is a statewide network of employers and partners established in 2008 to increase employment among individuals with disabilities. It provides training and consultative services to employers, individuals with disabilities, family members, state agencies and employment service providers. Work Without Limits aims to make Massachusetts the first state in the nation where the employment rate of people with disabilities is equal to people without disabilities.
