Council for Community Accessibility Presents Annual Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2008

For more information:
Craig Brenner, Community & Family Resources Special Project Coordinator, 349-3471
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of , 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov Bloomington

Bloomington, IN -- The City of 's Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) presented awards to organizations and individuals at its Annual Awards Ceremony at KRC Banquets and Catering.

"I congratulate all the award nominees and recipients and thank these individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to making life a little easier for people with disabilities," said City of , who presented the Mayor's Award to Leslie Green. "Their actions and spirit enrich our entire community." Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan

The awards and honored individuals and organizations are as follows:

- Business Service Award - Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, Elizabeth Simpkins, Manager, for outstanding efforts in employing people with disabilities;

- Special Recognition - Michelle Davenport, for developing a creative writing and public performance project for people with disabilities; and the Bloomington Transit Customer Service Team of Eli McCormick, Sandy Kirby and Carolyn Smith, for their positive efforts in scheduling passengers with disabilities;

- Self-Advocacy Award - Rhonda Duzan, for advocacy on behalf of herself and others with disabilities;

- Professional Service Award - Maureen Gahan, for 25 years of efforts on behalf of people with disabilities, including creation of Milestones clinical and health resources for people with disabilities;

- Community Service Award -Monroe County YMCA, for outstanding efforts to include people with disabilities in many programs and activities;

- Kristin Willison Volunteer Service Award - Linda Crawford, for outstanding efforts as a volunteer assisting many programs that benefit people with disabilities and others;

- Mayor's Award sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College - Leslie Green, for years of efforts at Stone Belt, where she began at an entry-level position in 1979 and rose to the position of CEO.

The Awards Ceremony featured a keynote speech by James Dickson, Vice President for Government Affairs at the American Association of People with Disabilities, who spoke on the importance of involvement in the electoral and political process by people with disabilities.

The Awards Ceremony was sponsored by the City of Bloomington's Community and Family Resources Department and Human Rights Commission; John Byers Associates; Cook, Incorporated; Indiana Institute on Disability and Community; Indiana University Credit Union; Ivy Tech Community College; Kappa Kappa Sigma Philanthropic Sorority, Iota Chapter; Kiwanis Club of Bloomington; KRC Banquets and Catering; Options; Robin A. Roberts, D.D.S.; Southern Indiana Center for Independent Living; and Stone Belt Arc, Inc.

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