Monday, October 27, 2008

NOD launches annual Accessible America Award Oct. 29

From the National Organization on Disability:

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Michelle Colvard, the reigning Ms. Wheelchair America, will launch the National Organization on Disability's (NOD) eighth Accessible America Award at AARP Headquarters in Washington, D.C. October 29. Ms. Colvard is a native of Houston, Texas, where as Executive Director of the city's Office for People with Disabilities she helped craft that city's winning Accessible America entry last year.

The launch will be at 10 a.m. at the AARP Brickfield Center, 601 E Street, NW. AARP is the lead 2009 Accessible America sponsor. The contest has a $25,000 cash prize, and a December 31, 2008 deadline.

Dozens of American mayors and chief elected officials enter their communities in the Accessible America competition, open to all U.S. cities and towns, each year. Communities compete for a $25,000 cash prize and the distinction of being identified as one of the best places in the U.S. for people with disabilities to live, learn, work and play. Entrants showcase how their citizens with disabilities participate in and contribute to local community life. The competition highlights best practices in disability programs, services and initiatives and publicizes them to inspire replication. The cash award is used to further the community's efforts in closing those participation gaps.

The winning city or town in the 2009 Accessible America competition will be a livable community where people with disabilities have opportunities for full and equal participation in the life of their community, including access to transportation, housing, voting and a full range of educational, social, recreational, and cultural activities. The 2009 application gives special focus to best practices ideas in the areas of employment opportunities and emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. Previous Accessible America first-place winners include: Houston, TX, Berkeley, CA, Cambridge, MA; Irvine, CA; Pasadena, CA., Phoenix, AZ and Venice, FL.

To enter the competition, communities submit an official Accessible America 2009 application (available at www.nod.org ), with a cover letter signed by their mayor or
chief elected official, describing how their city or town (or county representing unincorporated communities within its borders) provides opportunities for citizens with disabilities to participate fully in community life. Entries must be postmarked no later than midnight on December 31, 2008.

To learn more about the Accessible America 2009 competition and read entries submitted by previous finalists visit www.nod.org, or call Mike Reynolds at: 207/576-7396.