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October 2008
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

October 30, 2008
Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex
Contact: Barbara Baganz, 817-336-2491, ext. 236

Barbara Jordan
Media Awards

April 25, 2008
- Houston
Contact: Barbara Epperson


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2003 Barbara Jordan Media Award Winners

Honorable Mention

Award Winners

Details About 2003's Winners

Special Contribution - Student: Honorable Mention - "A Day in the Life…"

Recipients: Ciara (Niki) Major, DeWayne Chapa, Miranda Scarborough Nominator: Susan Roberts, LaPorte High School, 281-604-7617 robertss@lpisd.org

Three journalists from LaPorte High School took a day to adopt a disability including limitations in mobility, hearing and seeing. They described these experiences to peers in the school newspaper, Paw Prints. Taking on a disability was an eye opening experience offering many unique challenges and perceptions. The adventure helped the teens develop a new orientation and sensitivity to students with disabilities and changed the attitudes of peers.

Judges liked the creativity of the task chosen by the students and insights reported

TV Documentary: Honorable Mention - "The Next Step. Failure is Not an Option" (20 Minutes)

Recipient: AMS Production Group, 512-330-9434, nsmith@amspg.com

"The Next Step. Failure is Not an Option" features five students with disabilities sharing personal stories of accomplishment and challenge in college. The film targets students with disabilities, families, school counselors and community members influencing student decisions to pursue post-secondary education. The documentary highlights issues of education and includes dorm access, personal attendants, and transportation as expressed by students with various disabilities.

Judges felt the filmmaker compelled the audience to want to meet and interact with each student featured. The breadth and quality of the production was a definite plus.

TV News Feature - "Open Door Preschool" (2:30 Minutes)

Award Winner: Jitin Hingorani, 512-531-8821, jhingorani@news8austin.com

The reporter clearly depicts positive interactions in daycare between young children with and without disabilities. This news feature demonstrates originality in meeting adult needs (quality daycare) and depicting children's lives (feelings and emotions). The atmosphere of inclusion is nicely shown throughout, but especially by the use of one child's drawing of inclusiveness.

The judges particularly liked the sounds of children playing and parents discussing their feelings, and how the video showed the contrast between school environment and the outside world. Judges also commented on the reporter's recognition of disability issues and sensitivity in reporting.

TV Documentary - "We Belong - A Case for Inclusion" (28 Minutes)

Award Winner: Richard Lacy, 713-880-0816, texandi@earthlink.net
Nominator: Donna Fruge', 713-863-1333, donna.fruge@frugeappraisal.com

"We Belong" chronicles the successful inclusion of students with disabilities at Travis Elementary in Houston. This video reached administrators and educators and positively affected educational experiences. The producer recognized a story taking place at his son's school and illustrated it by showing the growth of students, parents, siblings, teachers, and administrators. Richard Lacy documented the success of including students with disabilities on a personal level as well as by an increase in test scores of students with disabilities. More importantly he showed how all children benefited. The students featured are expressive, effective and involved.

Judges commented on the professional production especially quality choices in interviewing and editing. The personal and conversational interviews focused on individual attitude and growth rather than legal requirements.

TV News Feature - "Ana Calvo" (7:11 Minutes)

Award Winner: Patti Gras, 713-743-8465, pgras@houstonpbs.org

The news feature, "Ana Calvo" comprehensively and compellingly covers living with a disability including family and cultural challenges and personal commitment. The producer shows Ana's refusal to use prosthesis and explained why. It also illustrates how Ana changed her physical therapist's opinion of her abilities.

Judges enjoyed the visual demonstration of Ana's skills, particularly handwriting, cheerleading, and other creative adaptations. Judges especially liked the depiction throughout Ana's life, including many diverse activities settings and interactions.

Special Contribution - Student: "Being Billy"

Award Winner: Nima Kapadia, 972-530-1832, nkapadia04@yahoo.com
Nominator: Scott Russell, North Garland High School, 972-675-3120, srussell@garlandisd.net

Nima is the Editor of the Echo, the North Garland High School newspaper. Her article, "Being Billy," was the cover page article for the November issue. Nima uses progressive, empowering language to portray the daily life of Billy Morgan, a young man who was born prematurely, without any arms and missing bones in his legs. Billy uses his feet to carry out activities of daily living. Nima's portrayal of Billy showcases his adaptability in the usual activities of being a high schooler in a technological world.

The judges liked how Nima focused on Billy's abilities in tackling challenges of negotiating hallways, using computer keyboards, and correcting people's misconceptions about his disabilities.

Print Feature Article - "Chris Still Smiles"

Award Winner: James G. Draper, Longview News-Journal, 940-565-3575, ozzymandiaz@aol.com

"Chris Still Smiles" is a three-part, in-depth and balanced portrayal of the day-to-day life of Chris Stuckey, who was injured in a 4-wheeler accident when he was eight years old. The article shows how technology and resourcefulness of family and friends facilitated Chris' development and presented opportunities to lead a productive and meaningful life.

The judges selected this story because of the quality writing about challenges, achievements, and accommodations. Though Chris and his family faced many challenges, they were able to not only preserve relationships, but to grow stronger and closer. This feature involves the reader in the experience of this family and advances issues of awareness, education, and technology.

Print Magazine - "Nothing Stops Lex Frieden"

Award Winner: William M. Hendryx, 214-902-0429, wmhendryx@sbcglobal.net
Nominator: Roxy Funchess, 713-797-5284, funchr@tirr.tmc.edu

"Nothing Stops Lex Frieden" spotlights a unique Texas family who utilizes individual strengths and talents of an extended family living independently through mutual support. It features how a family works together on community, state, and national issues.

Judges selected this article for its in-depth look at an influential leader with a disability. It addresses almost every aspect of the lives of these family members. The venue of Family Circle advances disability awareness among its wide spectrum of readers.

Print Advertising - "IBM Accessibility Center"

Award Winner: IBM Accessibility Center, Austin
Nominator: Randi Kutnewsky, 650-352-6262,dbrandi@us.ibm.com
www.ibm.com/able/accessible

The IBM Accessibility Center headquartered in Austin launched an advertising campaign featuring images of people with disabilities succeeding in the workplace. The campaign message is that access to information empowers employees. The series includes people with hearing, visual, and mobility disabilities. Ads appeared in Exceptional Parent and Ability magazines, Government Technology, Public CIO, Washington Technology, Federal Computer Week and more.

Judges liked the attention getting messages about information access and employment contributions of people with disabilities. In addition, using actors who have disabilities in the ads advanced the hiring of people with disabilities and awareness and understanding in the advertising industry.

Special Contributions - Organization - "Team Everest '03" (10 minutes)

Award Winners: Coalition of Texans with Disabilities and The Dallas Morning News 512-478-3366, cotwd@cotwd.org (CTD) ; and 214-977-8307 (DMN), rmjones@dallasnews.com

This unique collaboration between the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities and The Dallas Morning News provided on-going coverage of Team Everest '03 and appealed broadly to the general public. The cross disability project, Team Everest '03 conceived by CTD illustrates the abilities of people with disabilities. The Dallas Morning News assigned a photojournalist and a reporter to cover the Team Everest climb. The coverage illustrated the climb, but more importantly determination, grit, a never give up attitude, motivation, and the importance of pursuing goals.

Judges remarked on the spectacular use of media to reach a worldwide audience. The variety of media used including print, television and web over a four month period, elevated interest and involvement of the general public.

The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities also achieved International media coverage of Team Everest '03 from broad media outlets highlighted by the timing of the expedition to coincide with the anniversary of the first Everest climb.

Print News Article - "The Road to Everest"

Award Winner: Lee Hancock, 903-839-2881, lhancock@dallasnews.com
Nominator: Rodger Jones, 214-977-8307, rmjones@dallasnews.com

"The Road to Everest" documents a Texas-based group of people with disabilities who made the climb to Mount Everest Base Camp. The Dallas Morning News reporter Lee Hancock recorded the 17-day trek. Team Everest trekkers illustrated by climbing to Mount Everest that just as with all people, grit and determination make a difference. Lee wrote approximately 20 Team Everest stories published in The Dallas Morning News.

Judges selected this well-written article for holding the readers' attention and depicting varied aspects of Team Everest adventures. Lee's depth and scope depicted individual climber's strengths with unique challenges and successes.

Photojournalism - "Team Everest '03"

Award Winner: Erich Schlegel 512-636-9513, eschlegel@dallasnews.com
Nominator: Dennis Borel, CTD, 512-478-3366, cotwd@cotwd.org
Nominator: Rodger Jones, DMN State Editor, 214-977-8307, rmjones@dallasnews.com

In the spring of 2003, a group of climbers with various disabilities successfully trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp, breaking barriers and raising awareness of disability issues around the world. Photographer Erich Schlegel chronicled Team Everest '03 focusing on the abilities of people with disabilities. The Dallas Morning News featured some 200 of Erich's photographs on the website.

Judges remarked on how each of Erich's photographs showed a great deal of emotion and captured the strength and power of bringing a vision to fruition. Remarkably each photograph tells a story within the larger story of Team Everest '03.

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