Fifteen businesses and individuals were honored last week for their efforts to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities, and the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act at Montgomery County’s 16th Annual Pyramid Awards Ceremony.
The ceremony, held at the Bethesda Marriott, included remarks by Dr. Gail Street, U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, U.S. Rep. Connie Morella, county councilmember Michael L. Subin, chief of staff for Montgomery County Public Schools Dr. Frieda K. Lacey, and TransCen boardmember Dr. Judy Shanley. More than 180 people attended the event, which featured award presentations and a keynote address by Charles L. Short, Secretary for Social Concerns, Archdiocese of Washington.
* The Margit Meissner Excellence in Transition Award, awarded to Karla Nabors, director of the Montgomery College Graduate Transition Program, Takoma Park, recognizes a professional or volunteer who contributes to the successful transition from school to work for one or more Montgomery County Public school students with disabilities.
* The Cory Moore Advocacy Award, won by Susan Hartung, Bethesda, is given to a parent who has displayed extraordinary commitment to the preparation and employment of people with disabilities.
* The Betty Ann Krahnke Assistive Technology Awards recognizes a person with a disability who is a MCPS student, college student and an employee who demonstrates exemplary use of assistive technology to access communication and curriculum. Vy Pham, of Gaithersburg, won the award for public school students; Mu Shi (Catherine) Fang, of Rockville won the award to college students; and Philip Weeda, of Chevy Chase, won for employees.
* The Virginia C. Andary Award provides financial assistance for people with disabilities to join or continue employment. Marilyn Johnson, Montgomery Village, was this year's recipient.
* The Outstanding Professional Serving the Disability Community Award, won by Hedy Peyser, Rockville, is given to an outstanding professional who has consistently, creatively and effectively contributed toward creating opportunities for people with disabilities in the community.
* The Customer Service Award, won this year by Dr. Robert S. Morgenstein, D.M.D, of Rockville, is given to an individual or business that has demonstrated an outstanding record of providing customer service to people with disabilities in the past year.
* The Kermit Mohn Barrier-Free Design Award is awarded to a public or private facility located in Montgomery County that has been newly built or renovated to meet the access needs of people with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This year, the Fairland Community Recreation Center in Burtonsville received the honor.
* The Best Practices in Employment Award, won by Maisel-Hollins Development Company, Silver Spring, is presented to an employer with less than 200 employees and to one with more than 200 employees that has demonstrated an outstanding record of employing or training individuals with disabilities who work or live in the county.