2005 Agency/Nonprofit Best Practices Awards

Public Award
The Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners

The Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners oversees the areas of finance, administration, health and human services, justice, and general government.  Their commitment to a workforce (which is diverse and includes workers with disabilities) is apparent with their initiation of the development of an ADA Reasonable Accommodation Guidebook for supervisors.  This guidebook is widely used within the county employment structure.

“Employment is a major way in which the County Commissioners engage people with disabilities,” according to Richard Slosar, ADA Coordinator.  Joseph Nanni, Director of Human Resources, states “making sure reasonable accommodations are available on the job as well as in the interviewing/testing process is a critical part of my job.” 

The commitment to involving residents with disabilities as employees is apparent.  It is emphasized repeatedly when the commitment for inclusion comes from the top it is easy to be successful.

Nonprofit Award
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium partners, with several youth programs, to give high school students the opportunity to work at the Zoo.  An example, of this opportunity, includes the Greenleaf Training Services (a local rehabilitation facility) that works closely with the Zoo, to help local youth find employment that will provide them with the social and vocational skills necessary to obtain and retain employment.  Also, for the past three years, Zoo staff members have given pres employment and volunteer experiences at the Youth Leadership Forum and Pathways to Employment.

Their adult activities directed at empowering community members with disabilities are varied.  The ADA Zoo Day (held on July 26th, 2005, at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium by the Columbus Committee on Disabilities Issues) celebrated the 15th anniversary of ADA. Over 40 agencies, who serve area residents with disabilities, attended the event to educate guests on programs available in Columbus for people with disabilities.  In addition, for the past two years, this half day seminar was co-sponsored by the Zoo and the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (ORSC). Throughout the event, local employers are educated about employment for people with disabilities and receive the opportunity to network with rehabilitation facilities that find employment for people with disabilities.  The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also, through Wright Choice Intern, recruits college students with disabilities and/or minority students for internships.

2004 Agency/Nonprofit Best Practices Awards

Public Award
IRS Call Center Cleveland

The Internal Revenue Service Call Center of Cleveland has a great record of employing staff with disabilities.  The employees at the IRS Call Center have various positions and disabilities (the majority being blind or visually impaired).  Mr. Gonzalas (the Operations Manager) says, “IRS has a responsibility to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to pay taxes too.”  Wilber (the Quality Assurance Manager) has supervisory responsibilities and is extremely knowledgeable about assistive technology (and does not allow his visual impairment to stop him on the job).

Employees have several types of technology to support them at their jobs.  Equipment includes software’s which read the screen, enlarge the print on the screen, or type from speech.  Many of the employees have their materials in Braille and/or use a closed circuit TV for enlargement.  One of the most interesting aspects of the Call Center is its floor, which is removable (so that computer circuitry can be easily accessed and modifications readily achieved).

Non-profit Award
Recreation Unlimited

Recreation Unlimited, of Ashley, is an overnight camp program which specializes in activities for individuals with disabilities.  The camp has a pool and a lake, both of which are adapted for use by people with disabilities.  The safety features at the docks, for example, has the railing designed to prevent campers from accidentally falling into the water. 

The success of this non-profit company is, in part, due to the staff with disabilities.  They bring both a wealth of personal experience and positive attitudes about themselves.  One of the camp councilors, Cody Bowman, sped by several times in her wheelchair.  She was someone the Governor’s Council already knew.  A few weeks earlier she had attended the Youth Leadership Forum (as a delegate from Delaware Rutherford B. Hayes high school). She was working with campers who were getting ready to swim.