2008 Carroll Awards Recognize Outstanding Blind Workers

Carroll Awards Recognize Outstanding Blind Workers

The Annual Carroll Awards ceremony held recently at The Carroll Center recognized five new members to the Carroll Society for their outstanding job performance
and for serving as role models to both blind and sighted persons in the workplace. Inducted into the 2008 Carroll Society were:

• Richard Brunson, Case worker and Counselor at Bridge over Troubled Waters, Boston.
• Marcia Nigro Dresser, Schoolteacher for the SEEM Collaborative, Reading.
• Chi Liang (James) Luo, Massage Therapist and teacher at John Winslow Institute.
• Dovestar Institute; Mark P. Sutliff, Attorney in the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General;
• Philip A. Zukas, Case Worker at WORK, Inc.

The Thomas J. Carroll Awards For Employment

The Carroll Awards are a joint effort between The Carroll Center for the Blind, and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind to publicly acknowledge the achievements and contributions to the workforce that are being made by persons who are blind or visually impaired.

The Awards were named in memory of the Reverend Thomas J. Carroll, a leader in the field of blindness who pioneered new concepts in rehabilitation training and vocational development for persons who are blind or visually impaired.

Each year one person, who demonstrates the highest degree of excellence, is selected from the Carroll Society to receive the Thomas J. Carroll Award for Employment.

The award recipient is named as the “Blind Employee of the Year” in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

That distinction went to Mary Mahan McCauley, Unit Supervisor and Job Placement Specialist for Mass. Rehabilitation Dept. in its Quincy Office. These dual roles require that she provide clinical and technical supervision and training to counselors along with working with employers in the community to open up job opportunities.

Among her past awards for achievement is the “Commissioner’s Award” presented in 2007. This is especially rewarding to Mary because she was selected by her staff and colleagues, for whom she has the utmost respect. She views her role as that of a team player, assisting staff in solving problems for clients – while also depending on their support for the problems she needs to solve.

Our congratulations goes out to each of the Carroll Award recipients for their outstanding contribution to the work force and for serving as positive role models for others.