ICED seeks nominations for annual awards promoting the independence of people with disabilities

[February 16, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD – The State of Illinois Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities (ICED) has opened nominations for its 2015 Awards Program, which honors the achievements of those who have done an outstanding job of providing equal opportunity and access to people with disabilities.

The awards program aims to honor individuals and organizations that have promoted independence and civil rights for people with disabilities. Award categories include Employee, Agency, Business/Nonprofit organization, the Media, Advocate, and Legislator. ICED also provides certificates of award to agencies that hire employees through the State’s successful Disability Opportunity program, which allows agencies to address their underutilization of employees with disabilities.

“The awards are an excellent opportunity to highlight the practices of those who are promoting access and independence in State employment,” said Illinois Department of Human Rights Director and ICED Co-Chair Rocco Claps. “The Committee is excited to identify and recognize those around the state who are working hard on behalf of employees with disabilities.”

Awardees will be recognized at a formal ceremony, which will be held on May 19, 2015 at 2:00 PM in the Historic Preservation Agency’s Great Room in Springfield, Illinois. The deadline for nominations is April 15, 2015.

Created in 1974, the Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities represents the interests of more than 3,000 employees with disabilities in state government and advances access, independence, and opportunity for employees with disabilities.

For more information on the award categories and nomination process, visit www.state.il.us/iced/ or contact Susan Allen at the Department of Human Rights, at [phone] (V), 1-866-740-3953 (TTY), or [e-mail].

[Mike Theodore, State of Illinois Interagency
Committee on Employees with Disabilities]