Continuing Developmental Services, Inc. (CDS) is a $44-million

not-for-profit agency headquartered in Webster, N.Y. Founded in

1977, CDS provides life- and job-transition skills training to 1,500

developmentally disabled people. Unistel, the CDS manufacturing

and production division, has been in operation since 1979. The company

provides quality products and services to customers while offering

fulfilling employment opportunities to people with disabilities.

Unistel works to help people achieve their dreams and ultimately

enjoy an independent lifestyle.

When adding spices to rations or using a military radio, think CDS

Unistel. Unistel is an AbilityOne company certified by the National

Institute for the Severely Handicapped and the New York State

Industries for the Disabled. It currently employs more than 240 people

with disabilities throughout 80,000 square feet of factory space in two

Rochester-area facilities. Certified by the American Institute of Baking

and the U.S. Army Veterinary Command for the highest standards of

food safety, the company meets all federal standards of cleanliness,

safety and force protection for manufacturing and packaging.

Unistel has been doing business with the military for more

than 10 years, packaging spices for the rations provided to soldiers

in the field and assembling accessory components for military

radios.

The company has a diverse business model with a wide range of

products and capabilities. Currently, it assembles six different types

of products and continually explores new product opportunities.

Unistel products are known throughout the United States for quality,

low cost and on-time delivery. The business has developed a broad

array of products and services to give its workforce numerous options

to obtain or regain job skills. The company’s leadership continuously

seeks out new job opportunities, primarily in packaging and

“kitting” products. Unistel’s workforce is highly skilled in these

tasks, led by a management team of professionals who understand

and teach excellence in every product they produce. Quality standards

in areas such as spice packaging, assembling and kitting are

among the highest in each industry, as demonstrated by continuing

customer satisfaction. The CDS company philosophy encourages

and supports people to grow to their maximum potential and keep

promises to customers.

In December, CDS signed a three-year spice-packaging contract

with LiDestri Foods of Rochester, N.Y., a leading manufacturer and

maker of pasta sauces such as Francesco Rinaldi and Newman’s

Own. This agreement will create several new jobs. According to Giovanni

(John) LiDestri, president and CEO of LiDestri Foods, “To be

able to expand our offerings to our customers is one thing, but to be

able to do it by sourcing additional goods from CDS, and thus help

employ our fellow citizens with developmental disabilities, brings

tears of joy to my eyes.”

In 2008, CDS built a state-of-the-art life transitions center. The

Wolf Life Transitions Center has comprehensive traumatic brain injury

(TBI) life- and job-transition capability training in one place.

The center features an industrial work center and restaurant to help

people receive vocational training while earning a paycheck. The facility

offers a variety of clinical supports including physical rehabilitative

and aquatic therapy and independent living assessments and

skills.

In addition, the center offers TBI service coordination to help people

access the necessary supports and services to live successfully in

the community. TBI service coordinators

assist with funding for housing and utilities along with bringing various

clinical-support services into the home. TBI service coordinators also

assist people with obtaining community-based services to help with

recovery. Recognizing the importance of giving back to the community

and the country, CDS created an initiative called Warrior S.A.L.U.T.E.,

which meets the needs of young men and women—and their families—

who are returning home from war.

Warrior S.A.L.U.T.E. was designed to help servicemembers—both

those still active in the military and those who have made the transition

into the Department of Veterans Affairs network as discharged

veterans—with traumatic brain injury and other disabling

injuries.

The CDS Warrior S.A.L.U.T.E. initiative operates on the following

principles: