2007 Winners of the Employment Awards

The Governor's Trophy

Nancy D. Crowther, Austin

Beginning in 1985 Nancy Crowther provided a vision for accessible transportation at Capital Metro by providing a comprehensive, proactive blueprint for Austin. This vision coupled with Nancy's strong leadership skills as a person with a disability also offered critical education programs, consultation, and barrier removal that lead Austin to be one of the most accessible cities in the United States.

Contact: Nancy Crowther, 512-389-7583, nancy.crowther@capmetro.org
Nominator: Chip Howe, 512-443-5777, chiphowe@maryleefoundation.org

The Entrepreneurship Award

Thomas Baird, Temple

As a well-known lawyer, author, and speaker, Thomas Baird lives life and gives back to the community by mentoring others and serving on local boards. As a person who is legally blind, Thomas Baird founded a law firm in Temple that grew to 5 branches in different Texas cities. He serves as founding Owner, President and Director of the law firm Baird, Crews, Schiller & Whitaker, P.C. in Temple.

Contact: Thomas Baird, 254-774-8333, thomasbaird@bcswlaw.com
Nominator: Steve Rublee, 254-939-2100, srublee@ccrest.com

Small Employer of the Year

Fuddruckers, Austin

Fuddruckers, an Austin restaurant, recruits and employs people with disabilities. The accessible workplace, job modifications, and sensitivity training provide a disability friendly environment. As general manager, Deirdre Hunt encourages other companies to hire and advance people with disabilities, too. After sustaining a brain injury, she knows first hand the difficulties associated with maintaining competitive employment.

Contact: Deirdre Hunt, 512-940-1979, Deirdre.Hunt@fuddruckers.com
Nominator: Chip Howe, 512-443-5777, chiphowe@maryleefoundation.org

Medium Employer of the Year

City of Fort Worth Public Library, Fort Worth

The City of Fort Worth Public Library believes in the mission of the city's disability program to create a diverse workforce. The Library works to recruit, employ, advance, and return citizens with disabilities to work. The Library also provides job sharing and restructuring focusing on employee strengths and abilities. Key management strategies include job coaching, mentoring, training, and advocacy.

Contact: George Robinson, 817- 871-7741, gmacc357@yahoo.com
Nominator: Barbara Selman, 817-336-2491, ext. 236, bselman@fortworthchamber.com

Large Employer of the Year

IBM, Austin

In 1999 IBM's Board of Directors adopted a worldwide standard to make accessibility a part of their role as an employer, manufacturer, and service provider. Since then, IBM developed hiring and training programs and enhanced workplace capabilities by introducing accessible technology and solutions such as ViaScribe ™ and IBM Easy Web Browsing. IBM hired its first employee with a disability in 1914.

Contact & Nominator: Paul Luther, 512-838-4893, PLuther@us.ibm.com

Large Federal Employer of the Year

Fort Bliss, El Paso

At Fort Bliss an inclusive workforce policy fosters hiring, placement, and advancement of people with disabilities. Leadership provides accommodations like ergonomic furniture, assistive technology, and makes architectural modifications. Leadership encourages management to offer a 700-hour trial appointment to evaluate an employee with a disability. With successful completion the manager may convert the individual to a permanent employee.

Contact & Nominator: Malcolm Walker, 915-568-1489, Malcolm.Walker@bliss.army.mil

Martha Arbuckle Award - Most Innovative Local Committee Project

Austin Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities, Austin

The Committee, along with a coalition of community providers, hosted the successful "Business of Work Seminar" that prepared more than 100 people with disabilities for the Community Expo Job Fair. The seminar enhanced job search skills and improved confidence levels. The Committee outlined key steps to replicate the program in other communities.

Contact & Nominator: Chip Howe, 512-443-5777, chiphowe@maryleefoundation.org