From the
NYC Mayor's Office. Pictured are Shannon DeVido (Melanie) and David Marcus (Ben) in Samuel D. Hunter's "Geese," part of TBTB's MORE OF OUR PARTS.
Theater Breaking Through Barriers (TBTB) received the 2014 ADA
Sapolin Award in recognition of its artistic excellence and commitment
to advancing people with disabilities.
The award was presented
by Mayor Bill de Blasio
and the NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), at a
reception in honor of the 24th Anniversary of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, on Tuesday, August 19, at the New York Public Library
in Manhattan.
The Title II ADA Sapolin Public Service Award will be awarded to
Theater Breaking Through Barriers in recognition of its outstanding
contributions to the community.
"Theatre Breaking Through Barriers merits this honor for its commitment
to advancing actors and writers with disabilities and for helping to
change and enhance the perception of people with disabilities from
dependence to independence," says Victor Calise,
Commissioner of the NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities.
"[The company] is successfully developing role models for people with
disabilities through artistic excellence," adds Mr. Calise.
Signed in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act has fostered
independence, empowerment and inclusion for millions of Americans. Each
year, the Mayor and MOPD present four ADA Sapolin Awards recognizing
individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions
to increasing accessibility for people with disabilities under the
titles of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA Sapolin Awards
are named after late MOPD Commissioner Matthew Sapolin, who passed away
on November 29, 2011.
