Companies recognized for support of disabled persons
About 30 people attended Athens Mayor Ric Abel's news conference yesterday as he hosted an awards ceremony to honor local businesses and individuals who promote the employment of adults with disabilities.
Representatives from Atco Inc., a Columbus Road facility that offers vocational instruction and employment for adults with developmental disabilities, present the awards annually to companies and individuals that support the integration of developmentally disabled adults in businesses throughout the county.
Three of the five award recipients were associated with Ohio University, a statistic reflective of the influence of OU in the area, Atco Board President Larry Payne said. OU President Roderick McDavis, who attended the ceremony, said it was a proud day for Ohio University and that the awards were a tribute to efforts of the university and its employees to include individuals who have developmental disabilities.
Abel and Payne presented the awards with Doug Mitchell, director of a division of Atco called PersonnelPlus, which helps people with disabilities to find jobs outside of the Atco training center. The PersonnelPlus Advisory Council sponsors the awards.
Trail Blazer Awards, which recognize those who value and support workers with disabilities, were given to two local businesses. Keith Adams, store manager for the East State Street Wal-Mart, and Janice Bailey-Magill and professor Diana Manchester of the OU Atrium Caf+
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Kantele Franko
