News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:	Wednesday, May 31, 2000
Contact:	Angelita Plemmer, City Manager's Office, (703) 838-4300

Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities Announces Selection of John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate Award Recipient

Former Alexandria City Manager VOLA LAWSON has been named this year’s recipient of the John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate Award, in recognition of her long and distinguished record of personal and public service to individuals with disabilities in Alexandria. She will receive the award at the Commission’s Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception held Tuesday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m., in Room 2000 of Alexandria City Hall, located at 301 King Street.

Throughout her tenure as City Manager from 1985 to 2000, Mrs. Lawson has provided outstanding leadership and vision to build an impressive record of accomplishments that increase opportunities for individuals with disabilities and improve the quality of life for all persons living in Alexandria. Among her many significant contributions that work to fulfill John Duty Collins’ vision of a barrier-free City of Alexandria are:

* Starting with a multi-year project in the mid-1980s to provide curb cuts in Old Town, she achieved her personal goal of having all curbs in Alexandria accessible by the year 2000.

* Interested in equal employment and affirmative action for women and minorities, Mrs. Lawson was the first City Manager in Virginia to include provisions for persons with disabilities in its Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Plan, at a time when only a few cities in the United States even had such plans.

* Years before the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) required it, the former City Manager established the City’s nationally recognized model DOT paratransit van and taxi cab program for persons with disabilities.

* Endeavoring to ensure provision of a balanced fixed route bus system and paratransit program, Mrs. Lawson established a policy requiring the purchase of lift-equipped DASH buses years before the ADA required this accommodation.

* As City Manager and President of the Alexandria Transit Company, she initiated other transportation innovations including the advance lift-equipped bus call-in request procedure and a free ride program for companions or personal care attendants to accompany a person with a severe disability while traveling on DASH buses.

* Following enactment of the ADA into law, Mrs. Lawson established an ADA Task Force to develop the City’s plan for removing policy, program, employment, facility, and information barriers to enable the full and equal access and participation of citizens with disabilities in the city’s government.

* Under her leadership and direction, ADA coordinator positions were established in each City department to ensure provision of advice to managers and employees on how to secure reasonable accommodations for employees and citizens, and how to enhance program and facility access for persons with disabilities.

* With Mrs. Lawson’s full support and approval, Comcast Communications has developed a series of videos, shown on the Government channels, regarding the City’s DOT Paratransit Program, the City’s commitment to citizens with disabilities, and the City’s commitment to employment of persons with disabilities.

* A personal friend of John Duty Collins III, Mrs. Lawson strongly supported and lobbied for the placement of a bronze plaque in his honor which is now prominently displayed at the King Street/Royal Street entrance to City Hall.

John Duty Collins, III was a former Vice Chair and member of the Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities, who made significant contributions to enhance opportunities for persons with disabilities in Alexandria. The Collins Award is made possible by a trust fund established by the Collins’ family in June 1990.

The Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities is a 17-member citizen advisory board appointed by the Alexandria City Council. The Commission is charged with assuring that each citizen with a disability in the City is treated fairly, provided equal protection under the law, and afforded full and equal opportunity in society.