The NH Governor's Accessibility Awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments and leadership within a business, organization or individual that supports independence, inclusive environments and services for individuals with disabilities. The purpose of the awards program is to recognize achievements of the award recipients who have successfully demonstrated:

• A variety of steps and actions to ensure that people with disabilities are afforded the same opportunities in life as people without disabilities;
• Advocacy to improve public access for people with disabilities;
• Involvement in government or the private sector to improve programs/services for individuals with disabilities; and
• Advocate and implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.

The Governor's Accessibility Award recipients have diligently supported and served people with a variety of disabilities for numerous years. The awards are intended for those who have gone above and beyond basic legal requirements to truly enhance and support the lives of people with disabilities. Awards are given out in five catorgies Nonprofit Organization; Businesses; Individual; State Employee and Legislator.

This year's winners are:

• Nonprofit Organization: New England Handicapped Sports Association, a volunteer-run organization established in 1972 that provides year round adaptive sport programs - Mt. Sunapee Newbury
• Businesses: Ride-Away Corporation - provides vehicle modifications to help people maintain or regain their independence.
• Individual: - Jill Gravink - Founder and Executive Director of Northeast Passage, a recreational sports and leadership service for individuals with disabilities out of the University of NH - Durham NH
• State Employee: Jo Moncher - Bureau Chief, Community Based Military Programs - Department of Health and Human Services. Jo currently serves as Chair of the Commission on PTSD and TBI and is an active member of the UNH Cooperative Extensio's "New Hampshire Operation: Military Kids".
• Legislator: Senator Lou D'Allesandro has been a tremendous friend to people with disabilities in this state both as an elected official and as a private citizen.

This year there are two additional special recognitions for:

• Businesses - Wendy's Restaurant (6 Whitney Street in Merrimack); and
• Individual - Sandy Teti

Governor Lynch will present the awards to winners on July 26th at 1pm in the Executive Council Chamber at the State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord NH. For more information call Governor's Commission on Disability at 603-271-2773.

We are pleased to announce that the First Annual Governor's Accessibility Awards were presented.

In a well attended ceremony, Governor Lynch spoke eloquently of how we as "the New Hampshire Community" make every effort to support each other regardless of the challenges we may face.

He thanked and expressed appreciation for the hard work of all of the award recipients.

Awards were given in the categories of nonprofit agency, state employees, businesses, individuals, and legislators. The recipients were:

• Non-profit: Crotched Mountain Foundation, who through substantial effort has created the longest mountain-based accessible trail in the United States.
• State Employees:
  • Jim Hinson – who has an extraordinary record of connecting businesses with people with disabilities who are seeking employment.
  • Totzkay – who coordinates many of the emergency response and preparedness efforts of the state of New Hampshire, and who has made it her personal mission to ensure that they include people with disabilities.
• Businesses:
  • Laconia Savings Bank - who have taken it upon themselves to not only meet the letter of the ADA but to be openly welcoming of customers with disabilities.
  • Carlson' Motors who have specialized in and who have prioritized mechanical work and attention to accessible vehicles of all kinds.
• Individual: Judy Hallam - who has prioritized issues related to accessible parking and who is instrumental in ensuring that the state of New Hampshire has "respect for the stripes".
• Legislator – Donna Schlachman – who has prioritized legislation related to service animals as well as working on accessibility on brick walkways.

The Governors Commission on Disability works consistently to ensure that all Hampshire residents are afforded equal opportunities to lead full, complete, and meaningful lives. We welcome your calls or inquiries at www.nh.gov/disability or at 271-2773.