The Minnesota State Council on Disability announces their 2004 awards and recognition recipients
Medtronic – Employer of the Year with more than 200 employees.
You are likely to recognize Medtronic as a world leader in medical technology. Medtronic has also been a pioneer advancing supported employment and the use of natural supports in hiring individuals with developmental disabilities.
As a member of the Minnesota Business Leadership Network (MNBLN), a program lead by employers that engages the leadership and participation of companies to hire, retain and market to qualified job candidates with disabilities, Medtronic is being recognized for its leadership role in the development of Disability Mentoring Day in Minnesota, offering outreach and recruiting opportunities for BLN co-sponsors and career exploration for job seekers with disabilities.
Life Time Fitness, Bloomington Employer of the Year with less than 200 employees
Most of think of Life Time Fitness as a place some people go to work out. There is more going on in the interest of the disability community at Life Time Fitness in Bloomington. High expectations in the performance of job duties are expected and encouraged of students with disabilities from local schools. Students are employed competitively, and excel, meeting the high standards ser for all employees.
Anne Roberts – Access Award
Anne is President of People with Disabilities for Change (PDC); under Anne’s leadership, major changes have enhanced accessibility for individuals with a wide range of disabilities in the Duluth-Superior area.
David Kolquist – Distinguished Service Award
David is a member of the ALS Association of Minnesota. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease and is a neuromuscular disorder. Every day 15 people are newly diagnosed with ALS.
Ruth Lundquist – Chair’s Award
This year Ruth was chosen by David Schwartzkopf to receive the Chair’s Award, she is currently the President of United Blind of Minnesota. Ruth’s role at United Blind, Inc. is to place sighted volunteers to read mail to blind persons, and she produces a weekly telephone news line that provides members information via the phone.
