Mayor's Award Categories/Nominees

Dorothy Lasley Memorial Award

This award recognizes an individual with a disability who is actively working toward increasing awareness of the rights of those with disabilities and improving their quality of life. Consideration is given to the nominee's contribution to the community through volunteering, organizational membership and/or community leadership.

This award is named for Dorothy Lasley, who was diagnosed at the age of two as having juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which necessitated the use of a wheelchair for mobility and later caused the loss of her eyesight. Ms. Lasley worked tirelessly throughout her lifetime towards removing both architectural and attitudinal barriers for citizens with disabilities. She was and advocate for people with disabilities, donating countless volunteer hours until her death in 1983. She worked for equal opportunities in employment, transportation, housing, education and independent living.

2007 Dorothy Lasley Memorial Award Winner
Denise Bettenhausen, Certified Occupational Terhapy Assistant and founder of the Ensight Skills Center in Fort Collins, nominated by the Fort Collins Lions Foundation, Inc. Denise specializes in low vision and is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Accreditation Council for agencies serving people with blindness or low vision. Through her personal experience with visual impairment, she became the driving force in establishing the Ensight Skills Center in Fort Collins. This dynamic leader has created a nationally recognized comprehensive program for enhancing the quality of life for those with low vision.

Other Nominees
Joseph Akmakjian, the Colorado Goodwill Ambassador the Muscular Dystrophy Association, nominated by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Employer of the Year

This award recognizes a business or organization for providing or increasing accessibility to their facility and/or providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

2007 Employer of the Year Award Winner
Ryan Davenport, RFD Support Services, nominated by Karen Furst. Ryan has provided countless hours promoting community access for persons with developmental disabilities in Fort Collins. Employed as an independent contractor providing supported living services, Ryan can be seen snowshoeing, playing baseball and volleyball, and coaching for Special Olympics, as well as teaching basic daily living skills with those he serves.

Service Provider of the Year

This award recognizes an individual and/or agency, associated with providing services to people with disabilities, who work to increase community awareness of and participation for people with disabilities.

2007 Service Provider of the Year Award Winner
Ensight Skills Center for Visual Rehabilitation is committed to enhancing access to meaningful life skills for area residents with visual impairment. Founded as a non-profit in 2001, the mission os Ensight is to provide clients with low vision the opportunity to enhance their life skills, their independence, and their self confidence through adaptive technology and training. The core staff of four professionals works with contracted medical personnel and volunteers to help upwards of 600 people each year. The center is open to the public for purchasing adaptive technology equipment. The Fort Collins Lions Club nominated this worthy group.

Other Nominees
Janet Bayless, Certified Service Dog Trainer with Canine Learning Center, nominated by Tammy Parker.

Dance Express, Fort Collins-based modern dance troupe celebrating diverse dance experiences for persons with and without disabilities, nominated by Tom and Pat Tunney and Katherine Curcio.

Spirit of Fort Collins

This award recognizes and individual, business or organization who exemplifies the spirit of assisting the disabled in our community.

2007 Spirit of Fort Collins Award Winner
Beryl "Brownie" McGraw, leader on the Inspiration Playground Committee, facilitating the first accessible playground in the state of Colorado to be built here in Fort Collins, nominated by Jo Waldron, Disabled American for the Nation since 1987. Brownie stepped up as a leader in the building of the Inspiration Playground which is open to all children, including children with mobility, hearing, speech, visual, cognitive and other challenges.

Other Nominees
Dance Express, Fort Collins-based modern dance troupe celebrating diverse dance experiences for persons with and without disabilities, nominated by Tom and Pat Tunney and Nancy Portz.

Nancy Jackson, Executive Director of Disabled Resource Services promoting advocacy, awareness, and access, nominated by Jennifer Bell.

Larimer Animal-People Partnership and Delta Society Therapy Animal Group, two volunteer agencies pairing animals and people to deliver animal assisted therapy in Fort Collins, nominated by Amy Fristoe.

2007 Volunteer of the Year Award Winner

Other Nominees
Janet Bayless, Certified Service Dog Trainer with Canine Learning Center, nominated by Tammy Parker.

Nomination Guidelines

• The person/business/agency nominated must live within or be providing service to the disabled community within the growth management area of the City of Fort Collins
• Activities that are above and beyond an individual's normal expectation or job description will be the criteria for consideration.
• Nominees must have demonstrated commitment and involvement with a person(s) who has a disability/disabilities.
• Nominations are open to the public and may be submitted by individuals, employers or organizations in the Fort Collins area.