Oct. 19, 2011 -- Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino recognized dozens of disabled employees who have excelled in their jobs and the businesses that hired them at the 25th Annual Achievement Awards Breakfast Oct. 18 at Doral Arrowwood in Rye Brook

This year's event focused on 55 employees and 53 employers. Northern Westchester Hospital will also receive a regional award from ACCES-VR (Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services) within the New York State Education Department for its accomplishments in the hiring of the disabled.

The breakfast is Westchester's official celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year's event is co-sponsored by the Westchester County Office for the Disabled, the Westchester Employment Network, Doral Arrowwood and Diana Gould Ltd.

Said Astorino: "Every year it is an honor to present these awards to the individuals who have overcome obstacles and succeeded at their jobs, as well as those employers who have shown with their actions that individuals with disabilities deserve the chance to be part of our workforce in Westchester."

The keynote speaker was Joseph Wendover, outreach manager, Walgreens. Mark Ridgeway and Gwenn Canfield of the White Plains ACCES-VR office joined Evan Latainer, director of the county's Office for the Disabled, in presenting the awards.

Each year the Westchester Employment Network, a group of vocational placement counselors and rehabilitation professionals, asks local employers for nominations of disabled workers who have performed exceptionally well. Every worker nominated is invited to the breakfast and presented with a Certificate of Achievement from the County Executive. Their employers also receive certificates to thank them for promoting diversity in the workplace.