WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – A new flatbed printer is now in use at The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence’s manufacturing facility in Watertown, funded by a $20,000 grant from New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID).
The organization, which employs people with developmental disabilities, is currently using the printer to produce binders for the New York Police Department and army equipment folders that are shipped across the country.
NYSID President and CEO Maureen O’Brien said employment is central to the organization’s mission.
“When you’re working, you’re like everybody else,” O’Brien said. “You’re part of a community. You’re part of a culture, and you’re part of being able to care for yourself.”
Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence CEO Lynn Pietroski said the equipment expands what workers are able to accomplish.
“Opportunities like this printer provide various opportunities to expand skill sets, give someone a sense of value, and an overall better life,” Pietroski said.
The new printer is not the facility’s first flatbed printer, but workers say it is faster and easier to operate than the previous model. Worker Robert Palmer said the upgrade has increased daily output.
“We definitely get a lot more done on it throughout the day,” Palmer said. “Working here has always been like family to me.”
Palmer also said he welcomes the technology itself.
“Loving the process it does,” Palmer said. “The printing process, going back and forth. I just love the technology of the printer.”
Production supervisor Kaylie Jones said the facility’s work reaches customers well beyond New York.
“There’s people from all around here, even in California and Texas that know us and buy from us,” Jones said. “It’s just a very fulfilling thing that we’re doing something like this.”
In addition to NYPD binders, the facility produces army equipment folders that are distributed nationally.
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