Opening Doors: Valley Bus in Grand Forks creates inclusive team
Getting nearly 1,000 students to and from school safely every day is no small feat – but for Valley Bus, it’s all in a day’s work.
Since arriving in Grand Forks in 2022, Valley Bus has become more than a transportation provider – they’ve grown into a community partner that fosters a culture of respect, teamwork and meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities.
Recently, Valley Bus was recognized as the 2025 Employer of the Year by North Dakota Health and Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) for championing an inclusive workforce.
“Creating opportunities for people with disabilities isn’t just good for business – it builds confidence and opens the door for individual success,” said Roslyn MacKenzie, Valley Bus manager.
A route to opportunity
VR strives to ensure all individuals can participate in meaningful employment. Oftentimes, VR clients apply for jobs just like other candidates without businesses even knowing they are receiving support from VR.
For Roslyn, this was the case. She hired several paraprofessionals with disabilities to support students on their daily bus rides, ensuring they have the care and attention they need.
“People with disabilities bring so much to the workplace,” she said. “They are always on time, they strive to do a good job and they are reliable and committed. These are important contributions that make a big difference.”
Opportunity isn’t the only thing that Valley Bus invests in – they also provide individualized training that uses real-life scenarios to help their team feel more confident when working with students with disabilities.
“We’ve seen positive benefits, including improved interactions with children, helping them remain calm and relating more to their experiences,” Rosyln said.
The training curriculum has been so successful, it has been implemented at their main operation in Fargo.
With workforce shortages, Roslyn urges other North Dakota employers to partner with VR and not let stigma stand in the way.
The accommodations Valley Bus made required no financial investment – just adapting training to match the way employees learn best.
“It doesn’t cost anything to take a chance on people,” Roslyn said. “Sometimes it might take a little extra patience or training, but it’s well worth it.”
To learn more about VR, visit hhs.nd.gov/vr.