The Ruderman Family Foundation and The Jewish Week Media Group have opened the nomination period for the second year of the Ruderman Best in Business Award, recognizing exemplary businesses that have demonstrated a history of employing people with disabilities, training and supporting them and developing innovative approaches to maximizing employee’s abilities.

Last year marked the inaugural year of the award, highlighting businesses selected through a national nomination and review process by judges from the business and disability communities, including Richard E. Marriott, Chairman of Host Hotels & Resorts and the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities. This year, 18 businesses from the United States and Canada will be awarded.

“People with disabilities are the largest minority in our country, yet they remain largely segregated from our society and unemployed at the rate of seventy percent. A decent society would not stand for this injustice and therefore the Ruderman Family Foundation in partnership with The Jewish Week has chosen to recognize those business leaders who have taken action against injustice and excelled in including people with disabilities in their workforce,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “I believe these businesses will set the standard for all businesses to make it a priority to hire people with disabilities.”

The Ruderman Best in Business initiative will raise awareness about the benefits of inclusive hiring for both employees and employers. Whether the company is a Fortune 500 company or a grassroots local business, the recognition will showcase businesses that have made an effort working toward inclusion.

For more information about the Ruderman Best in Business Awards and to nominate a business, please visit www.thejewishweek.com/bibawards. Nominations will be accepted through May 25, 2016.