Portsmouth Company Wins Disability Accessibility Award

CONCORD, NH — LTC Partners, LLC, a Portsmouth-based administrator of large-scale insurance and benefits programs, was named the sole private employer recipient of the 2016 State of New Hampshire's Commission on Disability's Governor's Accessibility Award, according to a press statement.

The three other awardees were Joanne Curry, a special needs case worker at Alvirne High School, the Congregational Church of North Barnstead and the Hon. John T. Broderick, Jr., who was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

"The award is presented each year to individuals or entities who have distinguished themselves through initiatives which embody the mission of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)," said Charles J. Saia, executive director of the commission in a letter to LTC Partners CEO Paul Forte, who accepted the award at a ceremony with Governor Margaret Hassan at the New Hampshire State House.

Gov. Hassan presented the Governor's Disability Award to LTC Partners CEO Paul Forte.

"LTC Partners sets the bar high when it comes to workplace accessibility and accommodations," said Jim Hinson, Supervisor at NH Department of Education - NH Vocational Rehabilitation, who nominated the company for the award. "We need more business owners to think about customer and employee access the way LTC Partners does."

Among the many workplace accommodations available to LTC Partners employees with disabilities are: disability parking at main entrances, two sets of elevators in its building, a ground level cafeteria with ample accessibility seating, a badge i.d. system that automatically opens doors, dictation software for those who have difficulty typing, large monitors for those with sight issues, flexible hours for those with certain medical conditions and work-at-home jobs for those whom traveling is a challenge.

In addition, the company helps all employees remain fit with a number of wellness initiatives that include sit/stand desks with anti-fatigue mats, treadmill desks, and a handicap-accessible fitness room with showers.

"LTC Partners is gratified to be recognized for the support and encouragement we have shown the disabled," said Forte. "We are also thankful to our disabled employees for their contributions to our growth as a diversified administrator of large-sale insurance and benefit operations. We like to think our efforts have made a difference here in New Hampshire and beyond, and we look forward to continuing our efforts in the years ahead."

Submitted by Debra Caruso Marrone