Oct. 11, 2012

A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can You Do?” is the theme of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrated in October.  City of Phoenix officials and members of the disability community hosted an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Recognition Ceremony today at Phoenix City Hall.  

The event commemorates National Disability Employment Awareness Month; recognizes the Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues (MCDI) members and its 2012 grant recipients; provides an update on the city’s ADA training; and highlights the 2011-12 ADA-related innovations and accomplishments of city departments and staff.  

The awards presented are:

MCDI Grant Recipient Award
- Nicholas Gomez - works for the Arizona Industries for the Blind in the Digital and Data Scanning Department.
- William Ziad Fireh - attends Arizona State University and is studying Computer Information Systems.
- Howell Jones - received his real estate license from Arizona Academy of Real Estate.
- Siobhan Robinson - attends the Real Estate Learning Center.

Best Parking Lot for Disability Access Award
- The Apollo Group - University of Phoenix campus

Best Public Access Project Award
- The Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center

Advocate of the Year Award
- Phoenix Police Detective Walter Olsen and the Accessibility Compliance Enforcement (ACE) volunteers

City of Phoenix Barrier Removal Vigilance Award
- Aviation;
- Fire;
- Human Services;
- Parks and Recreation;
- Police; and
- Street Transportation departments.

Exceptional Training Award
- Water Services Department

Above and Beyond Award
- Planning & Development Team Leader Janet Reed
- Architect Norbert Senftleben

ADA Liaison of the Year Award
- Management Assistant II Michael Campos, Phoenix Convention Center
- Program Manager Richard Russell, Aviation Department

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy chose the official theme for this year’s National Disability Awareness Month to promote the benefits of a diverse workforce that includes workers with disabilities, who represent a highly skilled talent pool.     

The ADA Recognition Ceremony was co-sponsored by the Phoenix Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues and the city’s Equal Opportunity Department.  

For more information, visit phoenix.gov/eod or call 602-495-0358 or 602-534-1557/TTY.  Follow us on Twitter @phxequalopprty.

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