The Public/Non-Profit Best Practices Award

The Ohio Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities is seeking nominations for the “Public/Non-Profit Best Practices Award”.  These awards are given out annually to one Non-Profit and one Public Agency, with a successful record of promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities within the community and workforce.

The purpose of this award is to honor the nominee judged to implement innovative and progressive methods of improving the quality of life, for Ohio residents with disabilities.  The agencies selected are considered a symbol of all who have significantly contributed to employment opportunities and community involvement for people with disabilities. It is anticipated that their example will inspire others in State government and Non-Profit Communities to realize ability rather than disability as an important factor in employment and community inclusion.

The Award:

These awards are presented at the Annual Awards Ceremony, of the Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities, held in August.  Applications are accepted at any time during the year.  This year, the application must be submitted by June30, 2012 to be considered for the Annual Awards Ceremony in October, 2012.

The Criteria:

The following are the criteria to be met in making recommendations for the award:

• All nominees for the Ohio Best Practices Award must be located in Ohio.
• The nominees must have exhibited outstanding achievements in improving employment opportunities, within their agency, for people with disabilities.
• The nominees must fit one of the following criteria:
  • State Agency
  • Federal Agency with a office located within the State of Ohio 
  • Non-Profit

Note:  Agencies and/or organizations with Federal or State provisions/mandates (requiring the hiring of people with disabilities) are exempt from consideration.

Rules for Application Process:

1. A nomination may be submitted by an interested individual, employer, agency or organization.
2. The nomination form must be complete and an essay (maximum of 250 words) of the nominee’s accomplishments should be attached. OPTIONAL:  Supporting materials, news clippings, annual reports, photos, and articles may be included; however, additional materials must not exceed two (2) pages. 
3. If you include a videotape (which must not exceed 15 minutes), it can not (and will not) be returned. 
4. The following suggestions are offered to assist applicants in developing their summaries. Submissions are NOT required to address ALL of the areas to be considered for this award.

• Briefly describe the agency and what it does.
• How does the agency include individuals with disabilities, in activities and decision making?
• How many people with disabilities are employed at entry level, management, or upper management positions?
• Share, with the Council, why you feel this agency should be a recipient of one of these awards.
• Share the agencies policy on engaging, recruiting, or providing reasonable accommodations to employees (or the public) with disabilities.
• Briefly describe any practices, within the agency, to reassign or work with employees who have been injured or disabled so they can maintain their employment.

5. Please forward the completed application information to:

Governor’s Counci on People with Disabilities
Attn: Donna Foster
400 E. Campus View Blvd., 3GC
Columbus, OH 43235
E-Mail: Donna.Foster@rsc.ohio.gov

All nominations must be submitted (either by mail, fax, or sent electronically) by June30, 2012.