Four individuals and three business firms in the Central Tech district were honored by Governor Brad Henry at the 18 th Annual Governor's Disability Employment Awards Ceremonies held recently at the Governor's Mansion Pavilion.

Crystal Elliott, J. Carl Smith, Scott Switzer, and Norbert Turnbow are each clients of the Project Worth Supported Employment program at Central Technology Center campuses in Drumright and Sapulpa .

A+ Welding and Construction, Bristow Housing Authority and Kwikset of Bristow are employers working with Central Tech's program to provide employment for supported employment clients.

Elliott, of Cushing, is employed by Aqua Pleasures as the firm's receptionist. She was honored for her outstanding job performance and professional development. Crystal has earned a certificate of Office Systems Technology and a Certificate of Completion from the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation Education.

Smith, of Stroud, is employed at Kwikset in Bristow where his employer has praised his strong work ethic and ability to excel in a high-paced worksite. Smith has only missed three days of work in three years on the job.

Switzer, a Terlton resident, was praised by his employer, Wal-Mart of Sand Springs, for his promptness, reliability, loyalty and honesty. Switzer also serves as a summer camp sponsor and runs the sound system every Sunday at his church.

Turnbow is employed by the Bristow Housing Authority where his supervisor says he "is very confident in what he does and his skill development has greatly improved in painting, cleaning, apartment rehab, grounds and lawn care maintenance."

Among employers honored by the Governor, A+ Welding and Construction, Drumright, has worked with the Central Tech supported employment program for more than ten years. Larry Armstrong, owner and president, was commended for making a remarkable effort to understand and accommodate employee's special needs. The firm provides health, dental and life insurance benefits as well as employee bonuses.

The Bristow Housing Authority has employed several supported employment clients and BHA manager Melvin Taylor is a member of the Central Tech Supported Employment Advisory Board. Taylor is known as a strong advocate for clients of the program, helping them with quality of life issues as well as employment.

Kwikset in Bristow has hired more than a dozen employees with various disabilities and has sponsored job fairs to help students find employment after graduation, including students with disabilities. Kwikset employs an interpreter for the deaf and hearing-impaired and an on-site industrial health nurse, making remarkable efforts to accommodate employees with special needs.