Fort Bliss Monitor

Disabled Employee of the Year announced

Clarence Davis III
WBAMC Public Affairs

Col. Byron E. Greenwald, Fort Bliss garrison commander, presents Elsa Navarrete with a plaque for the U.S. Army Medical Command 2004 Disability Employee of the Year.

Employees with disabilities, when provided the opportunity and resources, achieve their goals.

Elsa Navarrete, master scheduler, clinical support branch, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, was honored as the U.S. Army Medical Command Disabled Employee of the Year at the 2004 National Disability Employment Awareness Month luncheon held Oct. 28 at the Centennial Club. The luncheon was held to honor employees with disabilities from local federal agencies.

Laverne Rupkalvis, chief, clinical support branch, said that even though Navarrete has had muscular dystrophy since birth, she is among the best employees in the branch and may be among the best employees at WBAMC.

“She has never let her disability be a handicap and always shares her knowledge and expertise with fellow workers, and takes extraordinary steps to complete an assigned task,” he said.

Navarrete says that she was hired under the Handicap Hiring Program more than 27 years ago and progressed through various clerical positions until she reached her current position. She feels her accomplishments are because of her spirituality and her belief in God. “My belief in God has taken me through all that I have endured in my life,” she said.

This year is the 14th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This year’s theme is “You’re hired – success knows no limitation.” The Act removed barriers and improved employment opportunities for those with disabilities. It is important that cooperation between the business and disabilities community continue in order to ensure that people with disabilities acquire the skills and resources needed to become productive members of society. “In the past, people with disabilities may have been hired only as laborers or janitors. Today, the opportunity to be hired is better today than ever,” said Paul J. Singleton, keynote speaker for the 2004 National Disability Awareness Month luncheon. Even though there are additional government services, and more accessible public accommodations, many with disabilities find that it is still difficult to pursue educational goals, find a job or to own a home.”

The Fort Bliss Disabilities Awareness Committee began in 1992. Their work consists of accessibility issues and making others aware of people with disabilities. “This committee has made managers in state and federal agencies aware that employees with disabilities are competent employees,” said Martin Wagner, a member of Fort Bliss’ Disabilities Awareness Committee.” It is important that everyone is respected for who they are and that they get a chance to reach their potential and fulfill their dreams.

“Americans with disabilities are active and contributing members of our society, and they must have the opportunity to develop skills they need to compete in the 21st century workforce,” said President George W. Bush in his proclaiming October 2004 as National Disability Employ-ment Awareness Month. It is noteworthy that all Americans with disabilities be recognized for their contributions to society and in the workforce. By reducing obstacles, “the country meets its commitment to millions of American with disabilities, and benefit from their talents, creativity and hard work,” said Bush.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	November 4 , 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Disabled Employee of the Year announced Clarence Davis III WBAMC Public Affairs Col. Byron E. Greenwald, Fort Bliss garrison commander, presents Elsa Navarrete with a plaque for the U.S. Army Medical Command 2004 Disability Employee of the Year. Employees with disabilities, when provided the opportunity and resources, achieve their goals. Elsa Navarrete, master scheduler, clinical support branch, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, was honored as the U.S. Army Medical Command Disabled Employee of the Year at the 2004 National Disability Employment Awareness Month luncheon held Oct. 28 at the Centennial Club. The luncheon was held to honor employees with disabilities from local federal agencies. Laverne Rupkalvis, chief, clinical support branch, said that even though Navarrete has had muscular dystrophy since birth, she is among the best employees in the branch and may be among the best employees at WBAMC. “She has never let her disability be a handicap and always shares her knowledge and expertise with fellow workers, and takes extraordinary steps to complete an assigned task,” he said. Navarrete says that she was hired under the Handicap Hiring Program more than 27 years ago and progressed through various clerical positions until she reached her current position. She feels her accomplishments are because of her spirituality and her belief in God. “My belief in God has taken me through all that I have endured in my life,” she said. This year is the 14th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This year’s theme is “You’re hired – success knows no limitation.” The Act removed barriers and improved employment opportunities for those with disabilities. It is important that cooperation between the business and disabilities community continue in order to ensure that people with disabilities acquire the skills and resources needed to become productive members of society. “In the past, people with disabilities may have been hired only as laborers or janitors. Today, the opportunity to be hired is better today than ever,” said Paul J. Singleton, keynote speaker for the 2004 National Disability Awareness Month luncheon. Even though there are additional government services, and more accessible public accommodations, many with disabilities find that it is still difficult to pursue educational goals, find a job or to own a home.” The Fort Bliss Disabilities Awareness Committee began in 1992. Their work consists of accessibility issues and making others aware of people with disabilities. “This committee has made managers in state and federal agencies aware that employees with disabilities are competent employees,” said Martin Wagner, a member of Fort Bliss’ Disabilities Awareness Committee.” It is important that everyone is respected for who they are and that they get a chance to reach their potential and fulfill their dreams. “Americans with disabilities are active and contributing members of our society, and they must have the opportunity to develop skills they need to compete in the 21st century workforce,” said President George W. Bush in his proclaiming October 2004 as National Disability Employ-ment Awareness Month. It is noteworthy that all Americans with disabilities be recognized for their contributions to society and in the workforce. By reducing obstacles, “the country meets its commitment to millions of American with disabilities, and benefit from their talents, creativity and hard work,” said Bush.