Microtel a national franchise of economy hotels, for excellence in providing accessible lodging for travelers with disabilities and for its “Opening Doors Program” which provides all staff with training in disability awareness and customer service.
Merrill Lynch for its pro-disability employment policies and promotion of disability in the workforce, and for its philanthropy and involvement in community disability issues. Merrill Lynch has also shown extraordinary commitment to serving its clients with disabilities by providing statements and information in alternative formats such as large print and Braille and by offering programs such as Special Needs Financial Services for clients and parents of children with disabilities.
Sesame Workshop the creators of Sesame Street and Dragon Tales. Since its inception in 1969, Sesame Street has included characters, muppets and children with all types of disabilities in its programming, videos and books.
Interpretype for its development of devices (also known as ITY devices) that increase communication access for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or who have speech disabilities. ITY devices, which allow for instantaneous face-to-face conversations, are being used by hospitals, government agencies, retail stores and Rochester International Airport.
2005 Eagles
Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA for its focus on helping young people with disabilities prepare for meaningful careers by offering internships and mentoring opportunities; for its employee involvement; and for the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation's outstanding philanthropy and dedication to creating opportunities for young people with disabilities to lead full lives.
ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for designing innovative homes that demonstrate the power of assistive technology and promote elements of Universal Design, helping people with disabilities live more independently.
Shane's Inspiration for leading communities in the development of universally accessible playgrounds that allow children of all abilities to play with each other at their highest ability.
Wilderness Inquiry for creating inclusive opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy nature through its outdoor adventure programs; for its education and leadership programs; and for its collaboration with federal agencies to make public land and waterways more accessible for people with disabilities.
OXO Corporation for its use of Universal Design in their Good Grips household utensils. The founder of OXO, Sam Farber, designed such implements as vegetable peelers, spatulas and knives with thick, rubber covered, oval-shaped handles that are much easier to hold and less likely to slip, causing accidents in the kitchen. The tools are pressure-absorbing and thus make them easier for people with arthritis, carpal tunnel disorder and other problems with hand strength.
Verizon for its leadership in developing products that enhance the accessibility of its communication products for a broad range of users, including youth, individuals with disabilities and seniors. Verizon has a ten-year commitment of providing high quality service at its many Centers for Customers with Disabilities throughout the nation. In addition, DRA is giving Verizon this award for its leadership in hiring people with disabilities and using businesses that are owned by people with disabilities.
Sorenson Media for its dedication and commitment to improved communication access for and employment of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Thousands of people nationwide have benefited from Sorenson Media's video communication technology through the use of video relay services, which allow deaf people to communicate with hearing individuals. Moreover, 200 of the company's 750 employees are people with disabilities.
Liane Yasumoto for heightening awareness about disability culture through the many multi-media events she has organized over the past 15 years. A Bay Area native and head of the CDT, Liane puts on the Superfest, an international disability film festival each year. In addition, she works with another local disability organization each year to present an evening of performance art by disabled performers, called the "Ever Widening Circle".
J. Paul Getty Museum for its successful utilization of universal design making it one of the most accessible museums in the world. Some accessibility features include ramps, trams, Braille signage, captioned videos and sign language interpreters.
Portland International Airport for its commitment to providing excellent access to deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers such as visual paging and TTY service available throughout the airport.
AlphaSmart for producing affordable and easy-to-use computing devices used in education. Its products' accessible features include layouts for left or right handed users, sticky keys and word prediction.
Fannie Mae for its HomeChoice mortgage loan program, which is designed to enable low- and moderate-income borrowers who have a disability or who live with a family member with a disability to purchase homes.
Safeway, Inc. for their laudable record and leadership in hiring individuals with disabilities at their stores throughout the nation.
Jeremy Alliger, artistic director and producer of Dance Umbrella in Boston for his successful efforts to bring disabled and non-disabled dancers together in nationally acclaimed performances.
Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 and four community leaders who have helped see it through Congress. This Act will allow people with disabilities to go to work without losing their health care and other benefits.
