JEFFERSON CITY, MO - The Governor's Council on Disability (GCD) has selected the award winner and honorable mention of the 21st Annual Inclusion Award. The Inclusion Award and one Honorable Mention are presented annually to recognize private and public employers, individuals, and organizations that have successfully included people with disabilities in education, employment, housing, and leisure activities. Individuals also are encouraged to nominate state and local government divisions or employees they truly feel excel in inclusive practices.
The 2012 award winner is Jaime Janes, Kirksville R-III. Ms. Janes is a Special Education teacher who directs the community based work experience program, is the lead for Special Olympics, the Chair of the Community Transition Team, a leader with the Peer Supports grant, and a People First advocate. Ms. Janes works with students with disabilities to experience employment, become self advocates, pursue training after graduation from high school, and to link up with adult services. She works with teachers on how to develop a transition plan for students and creates adaptations for the students at work sites so they can accomplish their jobs. She is the leader of the Peer Supports grant, which provides training and supports for teachers in general education, and helps students become natural peers in the academic setting. As a People First advocate, Ms. Janes has raised awareness in the school and community about putting people first, instead of their disability and for students to be included in education, sports, work sites, and the community.
The Honorable Mention for 2012 goes to Michelle Zvanut, Boone Hospital Center. In summer 2012, Boone Hospital Center (BHC) opened its doors to youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a principal partner in the Seamless Transition through Enhanced Partnership (STEP) program. STEP is a collaboration involving the hospital, Columbia Public Schools, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Boone County Family Resources, and ACT. Michelle Zvanut, Vice President of Human Resources, is BHC's liaison to STEP. BHC provides classroom space, mentoring and on the job learning experiences for six high school seniors with disabilities. BHC is not only actively including the students among hospital staff in various department roles, but also bolstering their potential for fully included lives as productive adults after their graduation. BHC values its part in furthering possibilities for the student interns, and embraces the opportunity to diversify its workplace and enhance the culture of its workforce.
The awards will be presented at the Power Up conference in Columbia on April 16, 2013.
For additional information, please contact the GCD at 573-751-2600 or via e-mail at gcd@oa.mo.gov. To learn more about the awards, visit http://disability.mo.gov/gcd, and click on Inclusion Awards.