Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities Wins Two Awards

The award was presented during the 39th Annual Conference of the Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, which manages the RESPECT program.  Established in 1974 by the Florida Legislature (Sections 413.032–413.037, Florida Statutes), RESPECT of Florida is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization designated by the Florida Department of Management Services to administer Florida’s State Use Program.  RESPECT employs more than 1,300 individuals with disabilities who provide commodities and services to businesses throughout the state.

Also during the conference, APD Southeast Deputy Regional Operations Manager Rita Castor was recognized as the 2015 Mary Thiel Award recipient.  Castor is an outstanding advocate for people with disabilities.

APD Director Barbara Palmer said, “We are thrilled to receive the Customer of the Year Award from RESPECT.  That means a great deal to us and it shows our agency is supporting jobs for individuals with disabilities. APD promotes employment opportunities for people with disabilities so it is important that we buy goods and services from those same individuals. Also, we are so proud of Rita Castor for receiving the Mary Thiel Award. There is no one more deserving of this recognition.”

FMI Read the news release at http://apdcares.org/news/news/2015/apdawards.htm.