2005 Winners of the Employment Awards

The Governor's Trophy: Individual

Janet Paleo, San Antonio

Janet Paleo's long-term commitment and outstanding efforts at the community, state, and international level show her passion, leadership, and ability to empower and employ others. Paleo educates students and professionals about mental illness and the promise of recovery. Her multimedia training company created videos like "Choice" and "Changing the Way We Do Business" so that consumers have accurate information about services and rights. Paleo serves on a variety of boards and was recently invited to Taiwan to help develop a de-institutionalization plan.

Contact: Janet Paleo: 210-736-5034, PRO International, jpaleo@satx.rr.com
Nominator: Anna Gray, 210-736-5034, ahgray@satx.rr.com

Employer: Government

GSA, Fort Worth

The GSA regional office in Fort Worth hires many individuals with disabilities in positions including clerical, financial, mailroom, computer programming and environmental services. This federal employer maintains an accessible building and provides a variety of accommodations for employees with disabilities. GSA maintains a positive reputation for hiring people with disabilities, participates in numerous job fairs, and strives to fully integrate employees into the work environment.

Contact: Connie Cervantez, 817-978-2321, connie.cervantez@gsa.gov
Contact: Gary Sharp, 817-978-3234, gary.sharp@gsa.gov
Nominator: Karen Forbis, 817-238-7802, Karen@creativeachievements.org

Employer: Medium Business

Austin Task, Inc., Austin

Austin Task, Inc. policies require that at least 75% of the company's workforce be comprised of employees with disabilities. This company offers a career ladder so employees with disabilities have an opportunity to advance. Additionally, Austin Task modifies job descriptions, adjusts work schedules, and provides job coaching to meet employee's needs. The company works with the Texas legislature to advance issues of importance to Texans with disabilities.

Andrew Cole, 512-389-3333, andy@austintask.com
Nominator: Chip Howe, 512-443-1360, chiphowe@austin.rr.com

Employer: Small Business

Century Disposal, Inc., Austin

Century Disposal, Inc. provides employment opportunities and offers accommodations to employees with disabilities. Prior to the ADA, this document destruction company developed methods to recruit and employ people with disabilities who wanted to work and become independent. Century Disposal works with area companies to connect the interests of the employers with the interests of employees with disabilities. The company prides itself on maintaining a workforce where almost half of the employees are people with disabilities.

Contact: Sandra White, 512-441-4634, centurydisp1@aol.com
Nominator: Chip Howe, 512-443-1360, chiphowe@austin.rr.com

Employer: Large Business

Klein Independent School District, Houston

Klein Independent School District in Houston cultivates an environment of access for employees with disabilities. Some of the school district accommodations include a lift, assistive technology, and a part time teacher aide. An attitude of support and inclusiveness nurtures employees at Klein ISD. One teacher with a disability who was nominated for Teacher of the Year several times, mentions that the superintendent meets with her annually to discuss any changes in her needs.

Contact: Liz Johnson, 832-249-4750, ljohnson@kleinisd.net
Nominator: Angela Wrigglesworth, 832-484-6865, awrigglesworth@kleinisd.net

Martha Arbuckle Award - Most Innovative Local Committee Project

Fort Worth Mayor's Committee on Persons with Disabilities

The Fort Worth Mayor's Committee on Persons with Disabilities created and implemented the Volunteer Accessible Parking Enforcement Program (VAPES). Since the program began in 2002, police have issued more than 1000 citations. VAPES works to free up accessible parking spaces for Texans with disabilities. This makes it easier to find accessible parking for shopping, events, work, appointments and more. The program's educational and training materials could be easily replicated by other Texas cities.

Contact: Judy Bland, 817-293-9528, judy.bland@expanco.com
Nominator: Barbara Selman, 817-926-5305 x210, barbaras@goodrichcenter.org