The Arc of Mower County is seeking nominations for this year’s awards.

If you know an individual or group that meets the criteria in the following categories, we would like the opportunity to recognize them. Nominate a person or group for their outstanding service by completing the nomination form. All awards must be received by April 30.

If you need help completing your nominations or have any questions, please call The Arc office at (507) 433-8994.

 

Awards

•Community Partner of the Year: A business or organization that has directly contributed to the success of The Arc of Mower County and improvement of its services.

•Direct Service Professional of the Year: An award for extraordinary commitment by an individual employed in Mower County to provide direct support, service, or care to a person/people with intellectual and developmental disabilities while fostering growth, independence, community inclusion and dignity.

•Distinguished Service Award: An individual or organization that has contributed, in a distinguished manner, to the promotion of rights of and/or services to Mower County citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

•Employer of the Year: A Mower County employer with an exceptional record of providing inclusive competitive employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

•Professional of the Year: Recognize an individual employed in the health, education or human services field that has demonstrated the sensitivity and ability to obtain outstanding professional results that have increase independence or additional opportunities for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

•Robert Qual Memorial Self-advocate of the Year: A self-advocate who lives in Mower County who has shown determination and self-advocacy skills in his/her community, work place, school, etc.

•Volunteer of the Year: A volunteer who has given generously of his/her time and talent to benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Mower County, in keeping with the mission of The Arc.

 

More with disabilities employed in March

The unemployment rate eased slightly for Americans with disabilities in March, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Last month, people with disabilities faced a jobless rate of 15.2 percent, down from 15.8 percent reported in February. The improving conditions came as the economy added 120,000 jobs.

Despite the drop in unemployment, however, those with disabilities continued to face a more uphill battle in the job market compared to Americans without disabilities.

The jobless rate for the general population remained relatively steady at 8.2 percent in March, down from 8.3 percent the previous month.

The Labor Department began tracking employment among people with disabilities in October 2008. There is not yet enough data compiled to establish seasonal trends among this population, so statistics for this group are not seasonally adjusted. Data on people with disabilities covers those over the age of 16 who do not live in institutions. The first employment report specific to this population was made available in February 2009. Now, reports are released monthly.