New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. with honorees and co-sponsors at his Disability Awareness Month celebration at  Surrogate's Court on November 19, 2008.  Pictured (back, l to r) are: Thomas Samuels, Assistant Director and Media Specialist (Retired), LaGuardia Community College and, Past President, National Black Deaf Advocates; William M. Richards, Author and 2007 Vanguard Award Finalist; Gerri Zatlow, Executive Director, Special Citizen Futures Unlimited, Inc.; Alberta L. Orr, Executive Director, Disabilities Network of New York City; Stephen E. Freeman, Associate Executive Director, YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network; Hank Carter, Chairman, Wheelchair Charities, Inc.; (front, l to r) Reverend Maria Isabel Santiviago, Vicar, St. Ann's Church of the Deaf at Calvary at St. George's Episcopal Church, Manhattan; Terence J. Moakley, Vice Chairman of the Board, United Spinal Association; Thompson; Elisa Fruscianti, Gold Medal Winner in the 100-meter walk, Special Olympics 2007; and, Nellie Velez, Parent Advocate, John F. Kennedy, Jr. Institute, CUNY Youth Transition Demonstration Project.  Photo credit: Marla Maritzer. View slideshow

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. last night honored six city leaders at a celebration of National Disability Awareness Month. The event was co-sponsored by the Disabilities Network of New York City, YAI / National Institute for People with Disabilities Network, and Special Citizens Futures Unlimited.

“We gather tonight to celebrate National Disability Awareness Month, which is a time to honor leaders in the community, address ongoing concerns, and recognize achievements in the struggle for equal rights for people with disabilities,” Thompson said.

You can view photographs of the event at www.comptroller.nyc.gov.

“In this ongoing struggle, there is much work to be done,” Thompson added. “But when I look across this great city and I see elevators and escalators in subway stations, closed captioning on television, and children without disabilities learning in the same classroom as children with disabilities, it never ceases to amaze me that it wasn’t until the 1970s that the disabilities rights movement really even got going. It’s remarkable how far this community, and our city, have come in 35 years.”

Addressing attendees, the Comptroller spoke about existing challenges, including the need for wheelchair-accessible taxis, proper monitoring of the Access-A-Ride program, and the enforcement of laws prohibiting employers from denying jobs to people with disabilities.

“Today in New York City we are facing extraordinary financial challenges,” Thompson said. “But the budget is a reflection of our values and priorities as a City, and today’s downturn must not be used as an excuse for us to sidestep our responsibility to serve as a model for people with disabilities throughout our nation.”

Thompson presented the first award to Staten Island native and Special Olympics gold medal winner Elisa Fruscianti. Ms. Fruscianti won gold medals in both the 100 Meter Walk and the Softball Throw at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. She currently works at Lifestyles for the Disabled, a nonprofit organization on Staten Island that provides day rehabilitation services, respite services, and Medicaid service coordination to intellectually challenged New Yorkers.

“As a member of Team USA, she was one of only three New Yorkers chosen to attend the Games,” Thompson said. “In recognition of her extraordinary athletic accomplishments and her steadfast determination to succeed, it is my pleasure to present this award to Elisa Fruscianti.”

Terence J. Moakley received the second award. The Comptroller praised Mr. Moakley for his long and storied career as a disability rights advocate.  

In 1979, he was one of three plaintiffs to successfully sue the Metropolitan Transportation Authority / New York City Transit to purchase wheelchair-accessible buses and make subway stations wheelchair-accessible when they are renovated. This lawsuit is now recognized as a precursor to the transportation provisions included in the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act.

Most recently, Mr. Moakley was asked to chair the newly-formed Taxis For All Campaign, which has largely been responsible for the 231 accessible taxis operating in New York City today.
 
“I am extremely proud to serve with him on the Taxis For All Campaign, and it is my great pleasure to present this award to Terence Moakley tonight,” Thompson said.

The next honoree was Thomas Samuels, a nationally recognized advocate for the rights of Black Deaf individuals. Mr. Samuels spent 14 years at LaGuardia Community College’s Program for Deaf Adults as assistant to the director, American Sign Language program coordinator, media specialist, lab technician, and newsletter editor. A scholarship in his name was established at LaGuardia in 2002 and is awarded annually to deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

“A Black Deaf history researcher, Mr. Samuels has given numerous Black Deaf history presentations to deaf and hearing organizations in New York and throughout the nation,” Thompson said.

The fourth honoree of the evening was community leader and activist William M. Richards. At the age of 33, Mr. Richards lost his sight due to a detached retina. In order to rebuild his life, he sought resources and services at Lighthouse International School for the Blind.

In 2007, Mr. Richards graduated from the Borough of Manhattan Community College, attaining an Associate Degree in early childhood education with honors. He was also a finalist for the 2007 Vanguard Award, which is given to men who pursue early childhood education, a field in which men are traditionally underrepresented.

Mr. Richards has also served on several advisory councils and committees such as: Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins' Advisory Council for the Disabled, New York State Advisory Board for the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the New York State Office of Vocational Educational Service for Individuals with Disabilities.

“Mr. Richards has made tremendous contributions to the life of our city, both within the disabilities community and beyond,” Thompson said.

Nellie Velez, a fierce defender of the rights of people with disabilities, was the fifth honoree. Ms. Velez currently works as a Parent Advocate at the City University of New York’s John F. Kennedy, Jr. Institute. One of the Institute’s primary goals is to support employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Ms. Velez is the current Consumer Vice President of the Bronx Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Council and a co-chair of the Council’s Family Support Committee and Children’s Committee. She is also a member of the Community Services Board of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

“Ms. Velez has 32 years of experience fighting for families with special needs children,” Thompson said. “She has worked tirelessly to ensure that their needs are addressed, and it is therefore my great pleasure to present this well-deserved award to Nellie Velez.”

The final honoree was Wheelchair Charities Incorporated, which was founded in 1973 by Hank Carter.

Mr. Carter established Wheelchair Charities after his friend, Al Fogle, was paralyzed from the chest down, a victim of a stray bullet on a New York City street. Wheelchair Charities employs an all-volunteer staff, so all funds raised are used to benefit people in wheelchairs. Fundraising activities include high school basketball games, a Pro Game with professional basketball players, an annual awards dinner, and various concerts.

“Under Mr. Carter’s leadership and guidance, this phenomenal organization continues to grow thanks to various supporters, including many major corporations,” Thompson said. “I am so pleased to call up to the podium Hank Carter to accept our Organizational Service Award on behalf of Wheelchair Charities.”

Soloist Joshua Alcide sang at the event.

###