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.

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.

Past Youth Leader Award Winners
- 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.


Past Ally of Accessibility Award Winners
- 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.


Past Dining for All Award Winners
- Jericho Café and Tavern
- Burger King (Berlin store)
- Butch & Babe’s
- Red Hen Bakery
- Speeder & Earl’s
- Eastside Restaurant & Pub
- Down Home Kitchen
- Three Penny Taproom