BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM INCREASES EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES BY ADDING FOOD CARTS AT DMV LOCATIONS

NEW CASTLE (Aug. 27, 2012) - The state's Business Enterprise Program is adding mobile food carts to complement the vending services it already provides at four Division of Motor Vehicles locations. The move will increase employment opportunities for individuals who are visually impaired, while enhancing the customer experience at DMV sites.

The mobile carts offer competitively priced breakfast sandwiches and bowls along with lunch items. The carts will operate during DMV hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m. The schedule is:

• Aug. 22: 303 Transportation Circle, Dover
• Sept. 12: Airport and Churchmans Road, New Castle
• Sept. 19: 2230 Hessler Blvd., New Castle
• To be determined: 23737 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown

As Chair of the National Governors Association for the next year, Gov. Jack Markell's policy initiative aims to help governors and businesses create a blueprint to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Markell said the mobile food carts are an example of what the public sector can do.

"This is the kind of innovative thinking that will give more individuals with disabilities an increased opportunity at productive employment," he said. "The Business Enterprise Program needs to be applauded for pursuing this opportunity, and for working with the DMV to enhance the on-site customer experience."

Robert Doyle, director of DHSS' Division for the Visually Impaired, said: "We are grateful for the opportunity that allows us to expand our Business Enterprise Program and provide employment to persons who are blind, which is a major priority of our agency. These mobile carts will complement the vending products we already offer at these sites."

Division of Motor Vehicle Director Jennifer Cohan said, "The addition of mobile cart food services will go a long way toward maintaining the level of first-class service offered to all DMV customers. I know this will be a successful joint venture between the DMV and BEP."

The carts were custom-designed and built for the Business Enterprise Program to the specification of the vendors who will be operating them. The carts are designed for year-round operation. One additional cart will be placed at the Department of Health and Social Services' Herman Holloway Campus near New Castle.

Funding for these five carts and start-up costs comes from the federal vocational rehabilitation program, and will enable five Delawareans who are blind or visually impaired to receive income from their operation.

The Business Enterprise Program is one arm of the Division for the Visually Impaired (DVI). BEP trains and licenses Delawareans who are blind and visually impaired to establish and manage food service businesses in public and private facilities. Delaware also has included the operation of vending stands, snack bars, cafeterias, and gift shops as part of the services BEP provides. DVI operates under the following strategic focus.

Utilizing education, outreach, training and technology, DVI works to strengthen the capacity of our agency, our consumers and the community so that those who are blind and visually impaired may become and/or remain, employed, independent and self-sufficient

For more information about the Business Enterprise Program, go to www.dhss.delaware.gov/dvi/bep.html or contact BEP Director Michael P. Williams Sr. at (302) 354-2480.

A photo of the mobile food cart is available at DHSS' flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/deldhss/7875271972/in/photostream

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.