2006 Winners of the Employment Awards

Martha Arbuckle Award - Most Innovative Local Committee Project

Austin Mayor's Committee on People with Disabilities

The Austin Mayor's Committee co-sponsored a town hall meeting attended by almost 300 people. Community leaders, service providers, persons with disabilities and family members convened to discuss and share community needs. Topics included housing, employment, transportation, health and human services, and community vision. The Committee involved numerous community partners. An online survey collected information in topical areas to provide quantitative data.

The ideas generated serve as a foundation making Austin a more inclusive and livable community and ensuring that community planning and development reflect the needs of all citizens. The program could be replicated by other Texas cities.

Judges commented that the town hall meetings enabled city leaders to gain perspective on the present situation from its citizens with disabilities. It also provided people with options not previously known.

Contact & Nominator: Dolores Gonzalez. 512-974-3256, dolores.gonzalez@ci.austin.tx.us

Medium Employer

Easter Seals Greater Northwest Texas, Fort Worth

Easter Seals Greater Northwest Texas creates opportunities that advance the independence of people with disabilities and maintains a philosophy of employing, advancing, and returning Texans with disabilities to work. One third of the staff employed is people with disabilities who are integrated and included in all areas of the workforce. Employees with disabilities range from clerical, to program, to senior program, to directors of programs.

Accommodations for employees include automatic doors, video relay interpreting, sign language interpreters, adaptive computer software, flexible schedules, home offices and access to information both visually and auditorially. The work sites are physically accessible to applicants, employees and consumers.

The organization continues to outreach to business through participation in a Business Leadership Council and local Mayor's Committees.

Judges thought that Easter Seals effectively accommodated both employees and applicants and provided a good example of how people with disabilities contribute to business success.

Contact: Monica Prather, (817) 759-7933, mprather@easterseals-fw.org

The Entrepreneurship Award

Tamara Chapman, Austin

Tamara Chapman owns and operates a food service company named, "Shmulie's" at Texas Parks and Wildlife. She increased sales significantly and improved the profitability after taking over the business. Soon Ms. Chapman will move to North Austin to operate a larger snack bar. She devotes time and resources to providing good customer service.

Ms. Chapman who is legally blind hires, trains and supervises numerous people with some degree of blindness. In the process, she focuses on achieving the employment goals of employees with disabilities. Ms. Chapman implemented several aggressive marketing techniques like an automated phone menu and vending machines which substantially increased sales and profits.

Permission was obtained to share "World Famous Potato Salad" recipe:
10 lbs cooked potato chucks - lightly firm, ¼ c dill, ¼ c onion, ¼ c chives, 1 c celery, 2 c sour cream, and 3 c mayonnaise.

Contact: Tamara Chapman, Shmulie's, 512-424-4755 Yyz8@hotmail.com
Nominator: Dolores Gonzalez. 512-974-3256, dolores.gonzalez@ci.austin.tx.us

Large Employer

Computer Sciences Corporation, Irving

Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) is committed to including all talent within the workforce. With over 80,000 employees, providing quality services to customers and having a workforce that mirrors America is important. CSC partners with Bender Consulting Services, Inc. to create competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the areas of information technology, engineering, finance/accounting, human resources and general businesses. The Las Colinas location hired people in the area of help-desk and to also assist with national and international accounts. Although the employees of Bender work on a contract-to-hire assignment, employees receive 100% health and dental insurance coverage and other benefits like vacation, short and long term disability, life insurance and a 401 k plan. The company provides training on effective communication with people with disabilities.

Accommodations include Zoomtext and also software applications for JAWS users. The company provides equal opportunities and holds all associates to the same service level standards. The range of positions includes management, supervisory, clerical, and production. Several employees moved up in terms of responsibility and are now serving as mentors to new employees with disabilities that join the team.

Judges liked this ground breaking acceptability. This company does a great job of hiring, accommodating, properly training and promoting people with disabilities. The company seeks quality people and focuses on ability.

Contact: Selwyn Hunt, CSC, 469-995-2777, shunt8@csc.com
Nominator: Joyce Bender, Bender Consulting Services, Inc. 412-787-8567, jbender@benderconsult.com

The Governor's Trophy

Paul Baganz, Fort Worth

Mr. Paul Baganz has been assisting Texans with disabilities to advance in both employment and empowerment for some 35 years. He is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Easter Seals Greater Northwest Texas. He stays aware of current legislative issues, knows the ADA and IDEA well and makes sure employers and consumers are aware of the laws and rights.

Mr. Baganz serves on numerous community committees such as the Fort Worth Initiative and the Business Advisory Council. He works with the Chambers of Commerce, Workforce Board, Sid Richardson Foundation, Learning Center of North Texas, local Mayor's Committees and the list continues. On the state level, he attends meetings pertaining to rehabilitation services, WIA and Easter Seals.

He is involved with health care through the Personal Support Program which provides respite, habilitation, homemaker and personal care for consumers. He volunteers in a social activity group that meets monthly for recreational activities.

Years ago, Mr. Baganz started the first job club, created the curriculum for it, and it eventually became a model to help create what is now job quest training. As Mr. Baganz advanced, he stayed focused on assisting consumers with disabilities in leading independent and productive lives.

Judges remarked that Mr. Baganz made a significant difference through his long time commitment of 35 years to help people with disabilities realize their dreams.

Contact: Paul Baganz, 817-228-0737, pbaganz@easterseals-fw.org