UC Davis Disability Management Services presented awards last week to university managers and supervisors for "exceptional leadership and commitment, working on behalf of staff and faculty with disabilities in their departments."

A luncheon accompanied the awards presentation Oct. 11 at the University Club. The event preceded by a few days the start of UC Davis' 21st annual Disability Awareness Week; it is set to conclude today (Oct. 19) with a Disability Faire from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Silo Courtyard.

Karen Hull, interim acting associate vice chancellor for Human Resources, served as emcee for the awards ceremony. She joined Fredna Karneges, manager, Disability Management Services, in presenting nine plaques. The tenth honoree was unable to attend the event.

The honorees included two managers and a supervisor at the California National Primate Research Center: Kristin Antona, human resources manager; Jenny Short, research services manager; and Jaleh Janatpour, animal resource supervisor.

Fredna Karneges, manager of Disability Management Services, said Antona, Short and Janatpour "have responded to disability issues by providing cross-training, temporary modified work and reassignment to alternate positions when an individual's own job could not be accommodated."

The other honorees, and portions of Karneges' written remarks:

Kathy Kraft, human resources manager, and Linda Rau, senior analyst, both with University Relations — "They have worked to create a positive work environment and have appropriately responded to disability issues in the workplace through the coaching of managers and supervisors in conducting the interactive and reasonable accommodation process."

Lucy Bunch, assistant dean, College of Letters and Science — "She is always innovative in her approach to arriving at creative solutions during the accommodation process."

Wilhelmina Cottman, project manager, Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care — Recognized for "her proactive efforts in assisting in identifying an appropriate position for an individual with a disability. This resulted in a successful transition for this individual to an alternate position."

Phillip Lacey, assistant director, Materiel Management — "Phillip has a well-established record of working closely with Disability Management Services in providing cross-training, trial employment and modified duty for individuals with both nonindustrial and work-related disability."

Michelle Lee, manager, Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology — "She carefully balances the needs of the individual with the department needs, establishing a positive work environment for all."

Patrick Van Dyke, director, Veterinary Medicine Central Services — Recognized for "his commitment to providing an alternate position to an individual with a disability."