October is National Disability
Employment Awareness Month
By Jennifer Holcomb
The theme this year
is: ‘Workers with Disabilities: Ready
for Tomorrow’s Jobs Today’. It “emphasizes that
people with disabilities are a vital part of America’s work
force—they are important to our country’s future economic
success,” commented Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.
As a fitting tribute
to the month, each year the State Council on Disability recognizes
individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a strong commitment
to eliminating societal and personal barriers that exist for Minnesotans
living with a disability in the work place. This year’s presentation
will take place on October 27, 2005 at the Sheraton Hotel in St.
Paul, Minnesota and will honor the contributions of 10 individuals
or organizations.
This year’s keynote speaker is Jennifer Sheehy Keller, the
President’s appointed Special Assistant for Employment to the
Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation
Services (OSERS) and Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Rehabilitation
Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Education. Ms.
Sheehy Keller’s efforts include promoting disability as a central
component of diversity recruitment resulting in a more inclusive
workforce.
One change this year
is the presentation of the Governor’s
Award. The award honors the dedication of an individual or organization
to significantly increase public awareness of Minnesotans with disabilities.
The recipient will be announced at the luncheon.
The State Council would
like to congratulate this year’s recipients
and nominees:
Employers of the Year:
Novel Cup & Northern Lights Bookstore.
The bookstore provides individuals with intellectual disabilities
opportunities to do satisfying work and impart a valuable service
to communities.
Entrepreneur Award: Robert Harris and Harris Communications are
a leading sources for sign language books, TTYs, amplified telephones,
signalers and vibrating clocks.
Access Award: Stageberg, Beyer,
Sachs, Architects. The firm recently made the changes for the Elmer
L. Andersen Library on the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus
to ensure its accessibility for everyone.
Access Award: Bobbi Cordano,
as Director of Disability Services at the University of Minnesota,
impacts the work and education of student, faculty and staff.
Media Award: Tim Benjamin, as editor of Access Press, works to ensure
issues relating to the disability community are accurately portrayed.
Community Award: Steve Erickson and Lanesboro, Minnesota. Lanesboro
offers tourists with disabilities invigorating outdoor activities.
Distinguished Service Award: Karen Quammen, is the Workplace Inclusion
Coordinator at Medtronic where her efforts concentrate mainly on
attracting diversity in the workplace focusing on employment of persons
with disabilities.
Chair’s Award:
Steve Thovson, Director for the Southwestern Center for Independent
Living in Marshall MN, has been actively in the independent living
movement for over twenty years.
Governor Award Nominee: Ron Biss, an advocate for accessibility
for people, contributions have resulted in better access and safety
for persons with disabilities and others throughout his community.
Governor Award Nominee: Judge Catherine Anderson, a vocal leader
in the legal community, has continued to fight for the rights of
persons with disabilities in the community and workplace.
Governor Award Nominee: Tom Carey, a tireless advocate, whose advocacy
on local transportation and access issues has resulted in enacting
change.
Governor Award Nominee: Joel Ulland and John Tschida, on behalf
of MNCCD, successfully enacted important provisions of the Minnesotans
with Disability Act during the 2005 legislative session.
Governor Award Nominee: Cliff Poetz, a vocal advocate for persons
with disabilities, is an integral role in the self-advocacy movement.
The cost to attend the
luncheon is $30 and includes your choice of entrees. If you would
like more information about the award recipients, the State Council,
or the luncheon please call the State Council at 651-296-6785.
