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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-21-1997 - 5c 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. s~C- ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 21, 1997 SUBJECT: Special Recognition of the Orange County Disability Awareness Council DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: YES: NO: X BUDGET AMENDMENT: YES: NO: X ATTACHMENT(S): Resolution INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharron Siler TELEPHONE NUMBERS: ext. 2300 Hillsborough -732-8181 Chapel Hill -968-4501 Durham -688-7331 Mebane -227-2031 PURPOSE: To congratulate and honor the Orange County Disability Awareness Council for receiving the 1996 Governor's Trophy as the"Most Outstanding Mayor's Committee in North Carolina; and a Second Place Award of$2,500 from the National Organization on Disability. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Disability Awareness Council (OCDAC) is a non-profit volunteer citizens action group dedicated to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities. First established in the late 1970's,the OCDAC has grown in membership from approximately 15 to more than 100 members,many of whom are disabled. The OCDAC is active in promoting opportunities for disabled citizens to work and live in an environment free of barriers imposed by architecture, attitude, and/or lack of opportunity. They provide sensitivity training and awareness to various businesses, organizations, and agencies throughout the county. Particular areas of concern focus on all aspects of community living, including social,recreation, education, employment, worship, and transportation. In addition,the OCDAC is very active in recognizing local individuals, organizations, and businesses who have increased the public's awareness of issues regarding employment and quality of life for persons with disabilities. Each year, OCDAC sponsors an annual awards ceremony to acknowledge the Employer of the Year; Disabled Citizen of the Year; Distinguished Service Award; and Media Award recipients for Orange County. Because of their dedication and commitment to serving the needs of the disabled citizens of Orange County, the OCDAC has received both state and national recognition for their efforts. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the resolution and authorize the chair to sign. RESOLUTION 2 SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF THE ORANGE COUNTY DISABILITY AWARENESS COUNCIL WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council is a non-profit, volunteer citizens' action group dedicated to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities in Orange County; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council seeks to promote opportunities for disabled citizens to work and live in an environment free of barriers imposed by architecture, attitude, and/or lack of opportunity; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council conducts annual ceremonies to recognize individuals, organizations, or groups who actively include in their services and programs people with disabilities; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council guides and educates the community about the Americans with Disabilities Act; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council received the 1996 Governor's Trophy as the Most Outstanding Mayor's Committee in North Carolina by the N. C. Governor's Advocacy Council on Persons with Disabilities; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council won second place in the category of counties under 100,000 population in the National Organization on Disability's annual awards competition among 4,500 participants in the United States,which carries a cash award of$2,500; and WHEREAS, this is only the second time in the twenty-six year history of the National Organization on Disability that a North Carolina entity has been recognized. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF CONDUSSIONERS, congratulates the ORANGE COUNTY DISABILITY AWARENESS COUNCIL for its recognition as the State of North Carolina's Most Outstanding Mayor's Committee on Persons with Disabilities, for winning a second place award from the National Organization on Disability, and for its continuing efforts to improve the lives of the disabled citizens of Orange County. This, the 21 st day of May, 1997. William Crowther, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners