MSCOD
Honors Key Disability Leaders
by Gina Kiser and Nadia Facey
In honor of Disability Employment
Awareness Month, the Minnesota State Council on Disability held its
annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday October 19, 2006, at the Radisson
in Roseville. More than 145 people attended the event, which recognized
individuals and organizations that have made substantial contributions
on behalf of people with disabilities in the state of Minnesota.
The keynote speaker
was John Kemp, who is a principal at the Washington, DC, law firm
of Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville. Mr. Kemp, who
was born with a disability that requires him to use four prostheses,
is a very motivating speaker. He gave an empowering speech, inspiring
the audience to think creatively about the future of our country
and the disability movement.
Tom Hauser, chief political
reporter for KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, served as the Master of Ceremonies
for the luncheon and kept up a wicked pace of bantering with cohort
David Schwartzkopf. The last award presented was the Minnesota
Award, the Council’s highest
honor, which went to Scott Coleman, a Career Rehabilitation Counselor
with the State of Minnesota. He has worked in the downtown Saint
Paul office for many years.
The Council also recognized
three extraordinary individuals who left the Council this year—John
Tschida, Nancy Eustis and Sue Abderholden. Finally, the Council
recognized the Otto Bremer Foundation for resources they provided
to develop a strategic plan, called Options Too, to relocate people
with disabilities from nursing homes into their communities.
The Council would like to
congratulate the rest of this year’s award recipients:
Legislator of the Year: Rep.
Fran Bradley
Rep. Bradley has always been
a strong ally and advocate for persons with disabilities during his
twelve years of service in the Minnesota Legislature. Rep. Bradley
is the Chair of the House Health Policy and Finance committee. He
has taken part in the annual Disability Day at the capitol.
Chairs Award: Darlene Plante
Since
becoming a certified braillist in 1972, Ms. Plante has translated
literally hundreds of thousands of pages of educational and vocational
material into Braille. She has helped hundreds of blind students
and employees, both in this country and abroad.
Individual Community Award:
James Liedberg
Mr. Liedberg is a symbol of
strength and courage in the community. He is a chartere member of
the JC organization, and he is always ready to donate his time to
assist with charitable events.
Entrepreneur Award: Brian
and David Muhs
The Muhs brothers started
their own vending machine company that serves more than a dozen customers
in the Isanti-Cambridge area.
Sports Innovation Award: Craig
McClellan
Mr. McClellan founded the
Minnesota Chapter of the Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association in
1997. He also runs the hockey program at the Muscular Dystrophy Association
summer camp each year.
Access Award: Minneapolis
Public Library
The Minneapolis Public Library
received an award for accessibility and accommodation. Katherine
Hadley accepted on behalf of the library.
Technology Award: Carol Fury
Ms.
Fury developed Access to Telework-Minnesota, a program that provides
an alternative to traditional employment for Minnesotans with
disabilities.
Community Award: Patti Bahr
and Dave Wilkie
on behalf of the Gillette Technology Center Mobile
Outreach Clinic
The Mobile Outreach Clinic
provides specialized orthotics, seating and related assistive technology
services to individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers
and the professionals involved in the person’s care.
Transition Award: Kathleen
Johnson
Ms. Johnson was a founding
member of the Good Start Program, which helps people who are newly
diagnosed with Parkinson’s
disease.
Youth Award: Matt Williams
Williams,
a former student at the University of Minnesota Duluth, tutored
students with special needs and volunteered at the Special Olympics.
Distinguished Service Award:
Laurie Brownell
Ms. Brownell has over twenty
years of service and commitment to independence for people with disabilities
in the eleven counties of Southeastern Minnesota.
Employer of the Year:
Bernick’s Beverage Company
Located in Waite Park, MN,
Bernick’s
hires individuals with disabilities and has created a culture of
inclusion and support for all employees.
Minnesota Award: Scott
Coleman
Mr. Coleman is a Career
Rehabilitation Counselor with the State of Minnesota. He has worked
in the downtown Saint Paul office for many years. ![]()
