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Paula Barton Honored as a Recipient of Goodwill Industries International's 2002 Graduate of the Year Award

Paula Barton, an employee of ADT Security Services in Henrietta, New York (USA), was honored as a recipient of Goodwill Industries International's 2002 Graduate of the Year award. Goodwill is one of the world's largest nonprofit providers of education, training, and career services for people with disabilities and disadvantages such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education and work experience.

The award is the highest mark of distinction presented by Goodwill and honors Barton's perseverance and determination to build a successful career in light of disabilities and workplace barriers. A special meeting with President George W. Bush occurred on May 6 to honor this year's award recipients. Born with cerebral palsy, diabetes, a learning disability, and a disease that causes progressive vision impairment, Barton has faced obstacles every day of her life. On top of her disabilities, Barton was hit by a drunk driver five years ago and suffered a major spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed. Lucky to be alive at the age of 22, Barton was determined to pursue a career and live an independent lifestyle.

With the help of the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI)-Goodwill Industries of Greater Rochester (NY), Barton received job placement and career development services and began searching for a job. Her hard work paid off when she was hired by ADT Security Services to work in the company's local Customer Monitoring Center. ADT worked with ABVI-Goodwill to create a tailored work environment that fit naturally into the existing office configuration. Her workstation was outfitted with adaptive technology, and ADT sponsored an instruction session for Barton to teach 600 fellow ADT team members proper behavior around her service dog. Over the past year with ADT, Barton has received two promotions. Today, she works in the Regional Dispatch Center as a field service coordinator. In this role, she schedules the activities of 17 ADT technicians. She has achieved professional success and personal independence, living in her own apartment without the need of public assistance. Her hard work and dedication in the face of extreme challenge has brought Barton where she is today, and ADT recognizes her success.

"We are very proud of Paula's hard work and congratulate her on receiving this esteemed award," says Mike Snyder, President of ADT. "Paula's strength in the face of obstacles and determination to reach her goals serves as a role model not only for individuals coping with disability, but for all ADT employees and community members."

President Bush welcomed Paula Barton and co-recipient Ruby Morton in the Oval Office on May 6. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Goodwill Industries International is a network of 209 community-based, autonomous member organizations in the United States, Canada, and 22 other countries. Each organization serves people with disabilities and other needs by providing job training and employment services, as well as job placement opportunities and post-employment support.

Through its services, the network helps people overcome barriers to employment and become independent, tax-paying members of their communities. Since the organization's founding in 1902, Goodwill has helped nearly 6 million people. In 2001, more than 540,000 people benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill reported US$1.94 billion in revenues, and channels 86 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

Story originally printed in Tyco News newsletter, May 2002.

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