Employer of the Year Award

Beginning in 1998, the Disability Services Board has honored employers who demonstrate sensitivity and support for their employees by presenting the Employer of the Year Award. In 2004, the award was renamed after Martha Roberts Tarrant, a dedicated supporter of disability services who was chair of the Jefferson Area Disability Services Board at the time of her death earlier that year.

Awards are presented to employers who provide quality customer service to people with disabilities, develop effective communication skills for working with people with disabilities and discover local resources available to support working with various disabilities.

2010 Employer of the Year

On October 26, 2010 at the Holiday Inn University Area on Emmett Street, the DSB named Carmike 6 as its 2010 Martha Tarrant Employer of the Year. The award was presented as part of the Champions Event hosted by the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS). Trisha Stevenson, Vice Chair of the DSB, recognized Carmike 6 at the event. She shared the criteria used by the DSB to make their selection: an image of accommodation and inclusiveness, the culture of the organization, and tangible and recent activity in hiring or promotion of people with disabilities. Trisha noted that Carmike 6 had hired three DRS consumers in the past year. As a patron of the theater, she commented that “employees with disabilities at Carmike 6 are fully integrated into the staff, and the atmosphere there is very welcoming and inclusive.” Trisha shared from a letter submitted by one of Carmike’s employees: “the Carmike staff treats me like any other employee and that is nice. The Carmike has been a very good employer and I look forward to staying there for the foreseeable future.” Other nominee were recognized with Champions plaques: Advance Auto Parts, Aramark Dining Services – Newcomb Hall, Best Western Crossroads inn and Suites, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Office of the City Manager – City of Charlottesville, Jefferson Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Jones Heating and Air LLC, Kmart, Miller’s Downtown, Sears Roebuck & Co. – Fashion Square Mall, T.J. Maxx, Alderman Library UVA, and the UVA School of Medicine.

Past Employer of the Year Award Winners