Arc Honors Local Disability Activists
by Pam Carlson
At its annual meeting and
awards ceremony on May 12, 2005, Arc recognized two local self-advocacy
activists. Arc Hennepin-Carver presented its Dick Rothmund Memorial
Citizenship Award for 2004 to Richard Grimm, III, and presented its
highest honor, the Founders Award, to Cliff Poetz.
The Dick Rothmund Memorial Citizenship Award honors a self-advocate
who has participated in his or her community in an outstanding manner
through leadership in self-advocacy or community service.
Grimm is president of People First Central, an organization for
people with developmental disabilities who want to speak more effectively
on their own behalf and live more independently. He is also involved
in efforts to shape legislation to better meet the needs of people
with disabilities. He was active in Arc Hennepin-Carver’s “Get
Out the Vote” campaign in 2004 and attended The Arc of the
United States; annual Disability Policy Seminar in Washington,
D.C. His achievements are an outstanding example of the leadership
self-advocates can offer to the community.
The Founders Award honors an individual
who exemplifies the vision of Arc’s founders, who dreamed
of a community where people with mental retardation and related
developmental disabilities would live as fully included and productive
members of society, without social and physical barriers.
Poetz has championed human rights and social justice for people
with disabilities for more than 30 years. He is one of the founders
of the self-advocacy movement, pioneering the idea that people with
disabilities should have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
To this end, he has worked passionately in the public policy arena
at the state and national levels. As an active and committed volunteer
with Arc and many other disability organizations, he has worked tirelessly
to create a world where people with disabilities are fully included
and valued. Cliff Poetz is a role model and inspiration to the entire
community.
For more information and volunteer opportunities at Arc, call (952)
920-0855 or visit www.archennepincarver.org.
