Awards

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Youth Leader Award

The VCIL Board of Directors created the Youth Leader Award in 2006 in honor of Deborah Lisi-Baker, who was executive director at the time, and in honor of emerging leaders who are moving forward the promise of disability rights and the independent living movement. Lisi-Baker has spent much of her life advocating for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities and continues to do so. She served as VCIL’s executive director for many years until retiring in 2009. The awards are given out annually.

To nominate someone for the next Youth Leader Award, please contact Stefanie Monte at 802-224-1820 or smonte@vcil.org.

A photo of four women. From left are Lisi-Baker; award winner Celilo Bauman-Swain; Amanda Garces (who nominated Celilo for the award) and VCIL Executive Director Sarah Launderville.

Photo Caption: from left are Lisi-Baker; award winner Celilo Bauman-Swain; Amanda Garces (who nominated Celilo for the award) and VCIL Executive Director Sarah Launderville. Photo courtesy of The Bridge.

Jamie Heath
Joseph McCoy
Celilo Bauman-Swain
Members of the Youth Advocacy Council
Alyvia Metcalfe
Erika Dow
Maleia Darling
Catrina Audet
Alex Gallagher
Alaina Clements
Olivia Hammond Smith
Aaron Tardiff
Group of students from Harwood Union High School who produced a documentary titled “Speak Out for Understanding”
Ash Brittenham
Ben Wimett

Ally of Accessibility Award

Every year VCIL recognizes businesses and organizations that are accessible and go above and beyond when interacting with people with disabilities. The award winners strive to remove the barriers, whether they be physical or programmatic, that can prevent Vermonters from enjoying equal access to their communities.

To nominate someone for the next Ally of Accessibility Award, please contact Linda Meleady at 802-224-1819 or lindam@vcil.org.

A group of people from the Unitarian Church are gathered together with flags and rainbows and a large banner about their church.

Old Castle Theatre
Unitarian Church
Red Hen Bakery
Vermont Arts Council
LineSync Architecture (Julie Lineberger & Joseph Cincotta)
Vermont Institute of Natural Science
Waterbury State Park
Bennington Museum
Branbury State Park
City of Rutland
Green Mountain Power
Whetstone Station and Brewery
Town of Brandon
Town of Brattleboro
Town of Hartford
Town of Pittsfield
West Rutland Library
Jay Peak Resort
Bristol Conservation Commission
New Haven River Anglers
Tom and Leslie Sabo

Rosemary J. Miller Dining for All Award

This award is named for longtime VCIL receptionist Rosie Miller, who retired in 2011 after more than 30 years on the job. Rosie, who was born with cerebral palsy, has never let her disability slow her down. She is well-known for her love of dining out. VCIL could not think of a more fitting way to honor Rosie than by creating an annual award to recognize restaurants that do a great job with accessibility.

If you would like to nominate a restaurant for this year’s Dining for All Award, contact Stefanie Monte at 802-224-1820 or smonte@vcil.org.