Thursday, Oct. 30, 1997 | 10:25 a.m.
ARE YOU BLIND? How about deaf and blind? Maybe deaf and also have a hip displacement, diabetes, arthritis and scoliosis? These are the kinds of disabilities that some of Nevada's most productive and competent workers bring to their jobs every day.
Last night at Sam's Town, the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities honored these very special people. The Governor's Awards Dinner has come a long way since it was first held in the Carson City High School gymnasium 20 years ago. It's most appropriate that this affair is held in October, which is "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."
Many Nevada employers are very sensitive about providing work accommodations for employees. Since 1990, the Silver State ranks 35th among states for the number of calls to the Job Accommodation Network. Nevada administrator Kathleen Olson says, "Through the Job Accommodation Network, employers may find cost-effective and efficient ways to make the workplace accessible to persons with disabilities, often increasing the productivity of all employees. Last year, 79 percent of Nevada callers sought information to help current employees and more than half focused on helping a worker stay on the job."
The big award winners this year were Natalie Woods for the women and Ronald Malcolm for the men.
Woods, nominated by her employer, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, is described as, at the age of 3 months, being "diagnosed with congenital hip and placed in a body cast from the waist down. When the cast was removed, a special shoe with a built-up sole was fitted to provide her balance and minimize swaying and limping. Natalie's physical condition has continued to deteriorate throughout the years and she has been diagnosed with diabetes, arthritis and scoliosis. She has also had two bouts with Bell's palsy. At the age of 27, she became profoundly deaf.
"Natalie views her limitations as life's small challenges. She entered the federal work force in 1984 in a clerical capacity, with minimal skills, and became involved in self-enrichment and learning computer programming and technology. She has recently been promoted into the computer technology field. Natalie has had to overcome the emotional physical limitations imposed by society and her coworkers as someone who is 'different.' Yet, it is these differences that have enriched the lives of those who are fortunate enough to interact with her.
"Over the past six years, Natalie has been recognized with 12 awards for her contributions to organizational effectiveness which focus on eliminating duplicity, waste and activities that do not contribute to better quality, better cycle time or better customer satisfaction.
"Since Natalie's children are no longer in the home, she has obtained a canine companion (Barick) to assist her with tasks formerly performed by family members. She volunteers her time giving sign language classes, serves on the ADA team, visits patients in local hospitals with Barick."
Ron Malcolm, nominated by UNLV, is an associate professor who coordinates hearing and vision services for the Clark County School District. Read his story and accomplishments.
"Ron is deaf and blind. He is also a severe asthmatic and has right-sided paralysis. He has been deaf most of his life, and his blindness occurred about 1 1/2 years ago. Ron is involved in a rigorous rehabilitation program to improve the use of his right arm and leg. He takes orientation and mobility lessons early in the morning before work. His Braille lessons happen at noon. Then he takes computer training for the blind at night and on the weekends. In addition, he is working on his doctorate in education at UNLV.
"Ron is the coordinator of hearing and vision services for the CCSD and provides services for 500 deaf and blind children, and is an adjunct faculty member at UNLV in the Special Education Department. He speaks to groups of young children and college-age students about people with disabilities -- in a positive fashion.
"In addition, he has been a foster parent for 11 years. He has provided a home for 56 disabled or sexually abused children. He is currently raising three children of his own. In addition, he has two disabled minority foster children. He provides free counseling services to families with disabled children and finds summer jobs for deaf and blind teenagers. An active member of his church, he has been a youth pastor and church deacon, Sunday school teacher and member and officer in several organizations of and for hearing-impaired persons."
With life stories and accomplishments just as impressive were the runners-up Donna Vivirito of The Mirage, Eddie Jolly of the MGM Grand and Patrick Dillon of Caesars Palace.
Large-employer award winner was the Tropicana hotel-casino and the small-employer honors went to Kmart, North Rancho Drive, where James Freeman is the manager.
This year's awards again remind me of what former Metro Undersheriff Don Denison once wrote. "In the presence of trouble, some people grow wings; others buy crutches," according to Denison. There's no doubt that Natalie Woods, Donna Vivirito, Ronald Malcolm, Eddie Jolly and Patrick Dillon have grown wings. Yes, wings that should inspire all of us to do better with the gifts God has given us.
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