AccessAbility in Action Award
This award is presented to one organization, family or individual who makes it a focus to help people with disabilities in San Antonio and the surrounding are in work, in life, and in play. This award is given with gratitude by Texas Public Radio and disABILITYsa.org
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Deadline: September 27, 2013
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2013 Award Recipient
Heather Miller was the first Therapeutic Recreation specialist working with wounded soldiers at the Center for the Intrepid at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. In her more than five years at the Center for the Intrepid, Heather continuously has shown her commitment to our military heroes by working on rehabilitating them physically as well as emotionally. With a master’s degree in Sports Management from Texas State University, she inspires her soldiers to try anything and everything. She takes them snow skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, kayaking and sky diving. She helps them to learn all types of adaptive sports and compete in wheelchair basketball, sit volleyball, wheelchair tennis, swimming, air guns, triathlons and more. She takes the soldiers to volunteer at the Children’s Hospital so they can help others heal. And she prepares future Therapeutic Recreation professionals by taking interns from Texas State. She is an exceptional mentor for them. |
Criteria for Consideration:
Individual:
An individual who contributes a significant amount of time, talent or resources to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities at work, in life and at play. Family: See 2011 recipient as an example Two or more individuals in the same family unit contribute a significant amount of time, talent or resources to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities at work, in life and at play. Organization/Business: Must meet one or more of the criteria listed below 1) Make special efforts to find and recruit qualified people with disabilities for available jobs or work with service providers, job coaches, and educational programs to make sure that teachers and trainers know what skills are necessary for available jobs 2) Give 25% of more of their philanthropic support to support services and programs for individuals with disabilities. 3) Provide exceptional quality of service or an inclusive environment to meet the needs of consumers with disabilities. 4) Use innovative solutions to promote inclusion for individuals with disabilities at work, in life and at play. |
2012 Award Recipient
Larry Forbrich provides exceptional quality of service and an inclusive environment to meet the needs of consumers with disabilities. Larry received nominations from four members of our community attesting to the fact that he has made helping people with mental health disabilities in the San Antonio community his daily mission. One thing people come to discover is that he lives to help others. And, lives are better because of him.
For people needing help, advice or just somebody to talk to he is available 24 hours a day. Raising his daughter in a home filled with confusion and unexpected mood swings of living with a loved one with a bipolar disorder, Larry has a passion and compassion for individuals faced with challenges of mental health disabilities. He understands that all disabilities can completely permeate a person's life, work, personal and social activities - he seeks to help them cope and change with all of these aspects of life.
Larry runs a support group that he took over and turned into a nonprofit organization in 2010 when the former leader was struggling in his life. He hasn't stopped since...he continues to save lives, lending a hand whenever possible, making an impact where people live, work and play.
Larry Forbrich provides exceptional quality of service and an inclusive environment to meet the needs of consumers with disabilities. Larry received nominations from four members of our community attesting to the fact that he has made helping people with mental health disabilities in the San Antonio community his daily mission. One thing people come to discover is that he lives to help others. And, lives are better because of him.
For people needing help, advice or just somebody to talk to he is available 24 hours a day. Raising his daughter in a home filled with confusion and unexpected mood swings of living with a loved one with a bipolar disorder, Larry has a passion and compassion for individuals faced with challenges of mental health disabilities. He understands that all disabilities can completely permeate a person's life, work, personal and social activities - he seeks to help them cope and change with all of these aspects of life.
Larry runs a support group that he took over and turned into a nonprofit organization in 2010 when the former leader was struggling in his life. He hasn't stopped since...he continues to save lives, lending a hand whenever possible, making an impact where people live, work and play.
2011 Award Recipient
Henry, Shari, Sarah and Lauren Chu and Special Care Dentistry
Henry, Shari, Sarah and Lauren Chu have made helping people with disabilities in San Antonio and the surrounding area a family affair. Dr. Henry Chu's dental practice, Special Care Dentistry, serves children and adults who cannot be treated in a traditional dental office because of medical complications or intellectual or physical disabilities.
Shari Chu has volunteered with several organizations that serve people with disabilities including Achievers' Center for Education, Becky's Hope, and Monarch Academy. Shari is a co-founder of the Achievers' Center for Education and the entire family for many years has volunteered and supported this organization. She also works with individuals with Dyslexia and other learning disabilities in private practice as well as helping her husband, Henry with the Special Care Dental Practice.
Sarah, a student at Texas A&M, has enjoyed teaching Sunday School to individuals with special needs at University United Methodist Church.
At the age of 16, Lauren Chu is organizing Hand in Hand, A Night on the Runway which is a fashion show fundraiser that will pair runway models with and without disabilities to raise money for Morgan's Wonderland.
Henry, Shari, Sarah and Lauren Chu have made helping people with disabilities in San Antonio and the surrounding area a family affair. Dr. Henry Chu's dental practice, Special Care Dentistry, serves children and adults who cannot be treated in a traditional dental office because of medical complications or intellectual or physical disabilities.
Shari Chu has volunteered with several organizations that serve people with disabilities including Achievers' Center for Education, Becky's Hope, and Monarch Academy. Shari is a co-founder of the Achievers' Center for Education and the entire family for many years has volunteered and supported this organization. She also works with individuals with Dyslexia and other learning disabilities in private practice as well as helping her husband, Henry with the Special Care Dental Practice.
Sarah, a student at Texas A&M, has enjoyed teaching Sunday School to individuals with special needs at University United Methodist Church.
At the age of 16, Lauren Chu is organizing Hand in Hand, A Night on the Runway which is a fashion show fundraiser that will pair runway models with and without disabilities to raise money for Morgan's Wonderland.
