MSCOD Annual Awards Luncheon
Over 150 people from
around the state attended the Minnesota State Council on Disability’s
Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday, October 27, 2005. The event
recognized individuals and organizations committed to eliminating
societal and personal barriers that exist for Minnesotans living
with a disability.
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 delivered the keynote address.
Ms. Sheehy-Keller discussed her experience trying to find employment
as an individual with a disability. She also talked a little about
steps the Bush Administration has taken to increase employment opportunities
available for individuals with disabilities.
A special award for Outstanding
Achievement was given to Joel Ulland and John Tschida, co-chairs
of the Minnesota Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities. Their
determination at the state legislature this past session resulted
in instrumental changes in services for Minnesotans with disabilities.
Cliff Poetz received the first-ever
Governor Award. Cliff is a co-founder and former President of People
First – Minnesota, a self-advocacy
organization for persons with disabilities. As one of the first self-advocates
in the state, Cliff has helped many individuals with disabilities
find their own voice. Cliff continues be a voice for the disability
community on both state and national issues.
The State Council would
like to congratulate this year’s recipients
and nominees:
• Employers of the Year: Novel Cup & Northern
Lights Bookstore offer individuals with disabilities opportunities
to do satisfying work and provide valuable services to their communities.
• Entrepreneur
Award: Harris Communications is a leading source for sign language
books, TTYs, amplified telephones, signalers and vibrating clocks.
• Access Award:
Stageberg, Beyer, Sachs, Architects recently designed 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, Director of Disability Services at the University
of Minnesota, made available countless opportunities for students,
faculty and staff with disabilities.
• Media Award:
Tim Benjamin, editor of Access Press, ensures issues relating to
the disability community are accurately portrayed by the media
and ensures that the disability community has a strong voice in
Minnesota.
• Community Award:
Steve Erickson, owner of Lanesboro Minnesota, offers tourists
with disabilities the prospect of taking part in stimulating outdoor
activities.
• Distinguished
Service Award: Karen Quammen, the Workplace Inclusion Coordinator
at Medtronic, concentrates her efforts on attracting diversity
in the workplace, especially employment of persons with disabilities.
She has also designed mentorship opportunities for students with
disabilities in Minnesota.
• Chair’s
Award: Steve Thovson, Director for the Southwestern Center for
Independent Living in Marshall MN, has been active in the independent
living movement for over twenty years.
Other nominees for the Governor Award included:
• Ron Biss is a strong advocate for accessibility in the state.
His contributions have resulted in better access for all people throughout
his community.
• Judge Catherine
Anderson is a vocal leader in the legal community. She has continued
to fight for the rights of all persons in the community and workplace.
• Tom Carey’s
advocacy on local transportation and access issues has resulted
in changes both at the city and state level.
• Joel Ulland and
John Tschida successfully pushed for important provisions of the
Minnesotans with Disability Act during the 2005 legislative session.
Without their efforts, many services vital to Minnesotans with
disabilities would have been decreased or cut.
The Council would like to thank everyone who attended the luncheon,
making it the most successful yet. We hope to see everyone again
next year!
