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January 2000
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January 2000
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By Gregg Donaldson
In honor of the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons, the global international multi-level event was once again hosted by American Athletes with Disabilities Inc., People-to-People Committee on Disability, and U.S. Council for International Rehabilitation. It was held at the World Bank in Washington, DC on December 1, 1999. This year's theme was: "Global Technology, Disabilities & the New Millennium." The Master of Ceremonies was once again, David Williamson, President of American Athletes with Disabilities.
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The Master of Ceremonies was David Williamson (center), President of American Athletes with Disabilities.
The host organizations also presented the awards to individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
Outstanding Athlete Award - went to Scot Hollonbeck for his exceptional athletic abilities and his activities as an advocate of disability sports. Scot who is a world class wheelchair athlete states "There on the fields of competition, we may be judged for our efforts and desire to push the limits of human potential, but more importantly the rest of the world may see athletes who happen to have disabilities".
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Jonathan Young, left, Associate Director, Office of Public Liaison, The White House, giving keynote address.
David Collins, right, President of U.S. Council for International Rehabilitation.
Hollonbeck's letter of acceptance was read by Jonathan Young, Associate Director, Office of Public Liaison, The White House.
It said in part:
"I follow in the path of many great athletes with disabilities who have paved the way for me and others with disabilities to pursue the passions of sport on the plains of victory and defeat… I have used sport as a grounding force in my life and the pursuit of excellence in the arena of wheelchair track and roadracing has been a blessing in my life.
As you read this I am trying to share the value of sport as a socializing and rehabilitation agent with disabled persons in the Country of Ecuador. Maximizing abilities, minimizing disabilities, and creating awareness through sport amongst other vehicles is my commitment. In three days (December 3rd), we will observe this same United Nations Disability Celebration with hundreds of persons with disabilities from nine nations throughout North, Central and South America, as we march in the streets I will try to represent you and this award honorably."
Outstanding Millennium Award for Communications - went to WE Media, Inc. Recognized for their cutting edge actions in launching the first disability oriented web site and in producing an outstanding magazine that provides timely cultural and upbeat information for people with disabilities. Websites: www.wemagazine.com or www.WeMedia.com
Outstanding Leadership Award - went to William Kennard Chairman, Federal Communications Commission. He was recognized for his tireless work in leading his agency to come up with and implement regulations to ensure accessible telecommunications and information for all people with disabilities. Recent FCC activities include: Notice for Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for VideoDescriptions and this summer's adopted rules & policies to implement Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and Section 251 (a)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 are seen as landmark victories for all citizens with disabilities.
Outstanding Achievement Award - went to Microsoft Corporation, David A. Bohek and Moti Krautharner, producers of the award winning documentary, ENABLE: People with Disabilities & Computers. The documentary is about people with disabilities and how technology has affected their lives. It is hosted by The Flying Karamazov Brothers, who introduce accessibility concepts through juggling, music, and comedy. It also features ten personal stories from all walks of life, of people with disabilities, including Greg Smith, host of "On A Roll," radio program.
The video is intended for the full spectrum of mainstream audiences including human resource professionals, educators, and policy makers. Microsoft's Accessibility and Disabilities Group produced this documentary to help change public attitudes towards people with disabilities.
The Enable video is closed-captioned and includes descriptive narration for people who are blind or have low vision. There is also a text-video version for people who are deaf-blind or otherwise unable to view the video. Also available is a study guide to assist educators and trainers. It can be ordered at no cost, from the Enable Website: www.e-able.com
Other websites for Microsoft include: www.microsoft.com, www.microsoft.com/enable, http://www.microsoft.com/midatlantic/default.htm and http://www.microsoft.com/federal/default.htm For all the events going on in the D.C. area.
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Disability Awareness Awards - went to Jim Nicholson, Republican National Committee Chairman and Joseph Andrew, Democratic National Committee Chairman
Outstanding Achievements by a Young Person - went to Julie Blackburn, Norman Batten, and Leon Douglas, students from the critically acclaimed High School/ High Tech" program of the Dougherty County School System, in Albany Georgia, sponsored by The President s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities All three students attended Westover High School and took part in the S*T*A*R*S (TM) Program.
The S*T*A*R*S (TM) (Space Technology And Research Students) Program is a commercial education initiative that enables students to fly experiments on Space Shuttle Missions.
Julie, Leon, and Norman's experiment was a study of how microgravity affects the growth, development and behavior of Painted Lady butterflies. We were shown a film of how the students prepared their experiment, got to see the launch in person, and how they kept track of the data from space.
Then Julie Blackburn accepted the awards on behalf of her schoolmates and herself by reading letters and telling what great experiences they had, "being exposed to careers in science." Julie graduated from Westover in June and plans to attend Darton College, where she plans to pursue a career in telemetry, working in the health care field. She currently interns at a local hospital in Albany Georgia. She has Spina Bifida. Both Leon and Norman are seniors at Westover. They both are interning at local television stations. They have learning disabilities.
After a reception we had a screening of the award-winning documentary, ENABLE: People with Disabilities & Computers, done by David A. Boinick and Moti Krauthamer The film highlights the profound impact of computers on the lives of students and adults with disabilities. Microsoft's Accessibility & Disabilities Group produced ENABLE, as a public service.
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Judith E. Heumann
The evening was capped off by a Town Hall meeting, Assistive Technology into the 21st Century, moderated by Judith E. Heumann, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) serves as a "Call to Action."
The Town Hall meeting began to address critical issues such as integration of disability into diversity issues in the workplace; How federal agencies, corporations and non-profits insure Information Technology Accessibility; How technology in classrooms is implemented for all students & what initiatives are companies taking to make this a reality; How Information Technology influences employment opportunities; What drives Technology Accessibility: government regulations, the marketplace or litigation? How new government requirements for Assistive Technology impact the workplace and classrooms throughout the nation.
However, do to some technical difficulties, with microphones the Town Meeting didn't have the impact it could have had, so it was shorten. Guests panelists included:
Santiago Rodriguez, Director of Diversity, Microsoft Corporation.
Cynthia Ice, Software Engineer, Iris Association, (the division of IBM/Lotus responsible for Lotus Notes).
Don Barret, Assistive Technology Specialist, U.S. Department of Education,Participating as partners in the event were The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, U.S. Department of Education and Federal Communications Commission.
For more information on the sponsors:
American Athletes with Disabilities Inc., (AAD) www.AmericasAthletes.org
People-to-People Committee on Disability, www.ppcd.org
For information on USCIR, David Collins, (202) 416-7658 or (202) 429-2706.
and International Rehabilitation, www.rehab-international.org
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