The Phoenix Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues awarded local businesses and community members on Tuesday for promoting disability rights.
Three awards were given to community organizations for inclusion of disabled people and three awards were given to employers who advocated for disabled workers.
Timm Farnsworth, with the city’s Equal Opportunity Department, said the awards go to groups and employers who help people with disabilities find equal opportunities.
“It’s about bringing people with disabilities to be more included in daily activities,” Farnsworth said.
The Excellence in Employment awards were given to Safeway Inc., Matt McMahon of Outback Steakhouse and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Arizona Diamondbacks were honored for their work with Cory Hahn, a former ASU baseball player who was paralyzed in an accident during his freshman year.
Hahn got an opportunity from the Diamondbacks to work in their scouting department.
“Diamondbacks President Derrick Hall and Ray Montgomery, scouting director, have led the charge to capture Cory’s knowledge and talent, promising that when he graduates he will have a job with the Diamondbacks,” said Ashley Bridwell, chair of the Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues.
Excellence in Inclusion awards were given to wilderness event organization River of Dreams, the Phoenix Sister Cities Commission and the U.S. Airways Center/Chase Field Access Committee.
Organizations, including River of Dreams, provide extracurricular opportunities for disabled people, adapting activities such as hiking and kayaking to fit each person’s individual needs.
Each organization honored at the ceremony works toward providing equal opportunities and raising awareness for the disabled community in Phoenix.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness month and the theme this year is “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”
The city held a session after the ceremony to offer training in disability-rights issues. It was the city’s first such training session.
“We decided to do something a little different this year, because what good is a disability awareness event if you’re only attracting the people who are already passionate about disability awareness?” Farnsworth asked.
Mayor Greg Stanton said the 17-member disability commission has made progress in making Phoenix a more accessible city.
The commission advises Stanton and the Phoenix City Council on issues involving disability awareness and accessibility.
“According to the U.S. Census, over 30 percent of Phoenix’s 1.4 million residents live with a disability,” Stanton said.
“I as mayor owe this organization a big, big debt of gratitude,” Stanton said. “I ask for your support as we work toward a 100 percent accessible city.”
Contact the reporter at cacoope6@asu.edu
