Employment Awards Call for Entries

• Why You Should Enter
• Available Award Categories
• How The Winners Will Be Recognized
• What Judges Expect
• For Questions About Judging Process

Why You Should Enter

Enter your company, an individual or an organization for employing, empowering, and promoting the talents and abilities of Texans with disabilities as recognition for a job well done.

Available Award Categories

• The Governor’s Trophy (individual) — first awarded in 1993. The Governor’s Trophy is the highest honor and may be awarded to a person who has done the most to enhance the empowerment and employment of Texans with disabilities. The award recognizes long-term commitment and outstanding efforts at both the community and state level. Enhanced quality of life, scope and spirit of effort are also considerations.
  The Governor’s Trophy Entry Form [38KB MSWord]
• The Entrepreneurship Award (a living entrepreneur with a disability) — first awarded in 1997. The Entreneurship Award may be given to an entrepreneur with a disability who has displayed skills, leadership, and initiative necessary to successfully own (at least 51%) and operate a for profit business.
  The Entrepreneurship Award Entry Form [39KB MSWord]
• Martha Arbuckle Award (local committee) — first awarded in 1989. The Martha Arbuckle Award may be given to a local committee on people with disabilities for the most innovative program of the year. This award is presented in memory of Martha Arbuckle, a long time disability advocate from Austin.
  Martha Arbuckle Award Entry Form [39KB MSWord]
• Employer Awards (business and government) — first awarded in 1979. A total of five employer awards may be given to businesses and government employers for recruiting, accommodating, employing, and advancing Texans with disabilities. A philosophy supporting opportunities for all Texans, including people with disabilities, is viewed as a strength. Workplace efforts related to ADA, including architectural, program, and communication access, are key elements. Business and government focus on the ability of employees, not the disability, and satisfaction of customers with disabilities are considerations. Promotion of business opportunities for people with disabilities is also an important element.
  • Private Employer — awards for employment and empowerment (small, medium, and large businesses)
  • Public Employer — awards for employment and empowerment (federal and non-federal government)
  Employer Awards Entry Form [41KB MSWord]

How The Winners Will Be Recognized

The winner of The Governor’s Trophy will be presented with a beautifully crafted glass trophy. The winner of the Governor’s Committee Entrepreneurship Award will be presented with a uniquely etched glass award. Other winners will receive a specially framed and matted congratulatory letter from the Governor. Disability organizations, businesses, and the media statewide will be notified of the award recipients.

The Governor’s Committee began the statewide employment awards program in 1979 to recognize employers and others who have contributed significantly to the employment and empowerment of Texans with disabilities. Traditionally, the awards have been presented during the month of October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

What Judges Expect

Definitions from Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.

• employment — activity in which one engages or is employed
• entrepreneur — one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise
• advancement — promotion or elevation to higher rank or position
• awareness — having or showing realization, perception, or knowledge
• recruitment — to enlist new members; to secure the services of
• empowerment — enable; to give official authority or legal power
• outreach — to reach out
• sensitivity — the quality or state of being sensitive; awareness of the needs or emotions of others
• integration — to incorporate into the larger unit
• inclusion — the act of including; the state of being included
• ability — the quality or state of being able
• accommodation — the provision of what is needed or desired
• philosophy — the most general beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group
• access — freedom or ability to obtain or make use of; the action of going to or reaching; permission, liberty, or ability to enter, approach, communicate with, or pass to and from
• communication — to transmit information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood
• innovation — introduction of something new; a new idea, method or device
• range — the space or extent included, covered, or used; to change or differ within limits
• advocate — to plead in favor of; support

Complete the appropriate entry Word file and e–mail or mail the form to:

Pat Pound
Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities
P. O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78701

Please make sure the entry and nominator are clearly marked on the materials.

Governor’s Committee members, staff, and their families are not eligible to receive or submit nominations for competitively-judged awards during their tenure on the Committee.

For Questions About Judging Process

If you have questions about the judging process or about the awards, please contact:

Pat Pound
(512) 463-5740, Dial 711 for Relay Texas