The Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE) is seeking nominations for the 2023 Washington State Governor’s Employer Awards, to recognize excellence in recruiting, hiring and advancing employees with disabilities.
Awards categories
• Small, medium & large private, nonprofit and public employers (Small – 99 or fewer employees, Medium -100 – 499 employees, Large – 500+ employees). Honors employers for efforts to recruit, hire, and advance individuals with disabilities.
• Youth Employers – Honors employers who support youth with disabilities through employment preparation and job skills training.
• Direct Support Professional – Recognizes an outstanding professional whose career provides long-term supported employment services to individuals with intellectual, developmental, and/or psychological disabilities.
• Governor’s Trophy in Memory of Carolyn Blair Brown – Honors an individual with a disability who has developed or influenced programs, services, legislation, etc., providing positive outcomes enhancing the empowerment of individuals with disabilities in Washington State.
• Toby Olson Lifetime Impact Award – Honors an individual who has made a lifetime commitment to addressing the inequities people with disabilities face in their community and at the state and national levels, and can demonstrate specific, direct actions dramatically changing the lives of those in the disability community.
Nomination instructions and process
For nomination instructions and information about the nomination process, check out the 2023 GCDE Employer Awards Nomination packet instructions.
Three ways to submit nominations for the 2023 Governor’s GCDE Employer Awards
Nominate yourself, other employers or leaders in your communities today.
• Survey monkey nomination form
• PDF nomination form
• Request an application in alternate formats – email GCDEAwards@esd.wa.gov.
Key dates
• July 28 – Deadline to submit nomination forms.
• Aug. 4 – Deadline to submit additional nomination support materials.
• Save the Date!
Oct. 6 – The 2023 GCDE awards ceremony will occur at the Wenatchee Convention Center. The GCDE presents these annual awards as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
About GCDE
The Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment administers the Governor’s Employer Awards Program, and other activities, such as our summer Youth Leadership Forum and Legislative Workgroup. It provides statewide advocacy and leadership to empower those in the disability community to obtain equality of opportunity and maximum independence.
Questions?
If you have questions about the nominations process or need help filling out the nominations form, email GCDEAwards@esd.wa.gov.
