Nominate Employer | Porto Charities

Michael Burbidge Award for Outstanding Employer

Named after Bishop Michael Burbidge, who has led by example in hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD), this award recognizes a school, parish, or business in the Diocese of Arlington that embraces individuals with ID/DD by providing them with volunteer and employment opportunities and fosters a workplace environment where they thrive.

Questions 1-7 are about you, the nominator.

1. First name

2. Last name

3. Email

4. Preferred Phone (We will use this to contact you if we need additional information about the nominee.)

5. Address (Nominations are open only to people residing, studying, or working in the Diocese of Arlington, VA)

6. How did you hear about the award nominations?

7. What is your relationship to the person you are nominating: (family, friend, employer, etc.)

Questions 8-14 are about the school, parish, or business in the Diocese of Arlington you are nominating.

8. Name of the school, parish, or business you are nominating

9. Name of the contact person at this business/organization? (e.g., principal, pastor, business owner, etc.)

10. Point of Contact email or phone number

11.- Name of employee(s) with disabilities working or volunteering at this organization

Please use your statement to tell us why you feel this employer deserves the 2026 Michael Burbidge Award for Outstanding Employer. Consider the following questions and provide examples when you can:

How does this parish, school, or business make it a priority to improve access to employment for people with disabilities?
How has this employer positively impacted the lives of individuals with disabilities?
Is the employer ensuring that other staff are accommodating and embracing their employees with disabilities?
Do they provide opportunities for the employees to grow in their skills?

12. Nomination Statement

13. Additional Comments

Optional: Supporting Documents. You may upload up to 10 files (video, images, Word or PDF documents) to support your nomination.

Upload up to ten files.

View and agree to the nominating criteria.

My submission complies with the eligibility criteria.

Michael Burbidge Award for Outstanding Employer

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