The DisABILITY Resource Center's Annual Spirit of ADA Awards Ceremony was held Monday at Knoxville's first totally accessible playground, the Ashley Nicole Dream Playground.
The Spirit of the ADA Awards honor individual members or groups who further the goal of empowering people with disabilities toward full community participation and inclusion. They demonstrate equal opportunity in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services, telecommunication, and other community activities. The award winners go above and beyond the civil rights protections afforded by the ADA in order to break down physical and attitudinal barriers faced by people with disabilities.
Five awards were given:
Spirit of ADA Award to a Person with a Disability honors a person whose life exemplifies the spirit of the ADA. This person has overcome physical and attitudinal barriers, recognized as an empowered individual in our community and an inspiration to other people. This award was given to City Employee Stephanie Brewer Cook who began working for the city in 1998 as a policy analyst in the mayor's office and is currently the city's Disability Services Coordinator working in the Community Development Department.
Spirit of ADA Award to the Most Accessible Business honors a business that has demonstrated above and beyond compliance with the ADA and broken down the physical and attitudinal barriers for people with disabilities so that they can better participate in our society. This award was given to the Tennessee Theatrer.
Spirit of ADA Award to a Community Leader honors a person whose public works has led to the empowerment and inclusion of people with disabilities in our community. This award was given to Karen Reynolds.
Spirit of ADA Award to a Service Provider honors an individual or agency that has provided exemplary services in order to empower individuals with disabilities so that they can participate and be included in our community. This award was given to Bob Nicholas.
Spirit of ADA Award to an Employer honors an employer that has applied non-discrimination practices and has employed qualified individuals with disabilities hence demonstrating the elimination of barriers to employment and empowerment of an individual with a disability so that he/she can lead a productive work life. This award was given to Kroger.