[Archived] Alexandria Named Finalist for N.O.D. Accessible America Award

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	February 9, 2007 PIO# 033-07/jbh	Brian Hannigan, Director of Communications, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

ALEXANDRIA NAMED FINALIST FOR N.O.D. ACCESSIBLE AMERICA AWARD

The National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) recently announced that the City of Alexandria has been named one of the top ten communities in the nation in its 2006 Accessible America Competition.

The National Organization on Disability, founded in 1982, promotes the full and equal participation and contribution of America’s 54 million men, women, and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. N.O.D.’s Community Partnership Program administers the competition to recognize and promote progress toward comprehensive accessibility and opportunity in U.S. cities and towns. The money encourages further advancement of local disability-related efforts.

An independent, five-member judging panel of distinguished disability advocates and professionals from across the United States selected Berkeley, California, and Chicago, Illinois, as the top two disability-friendly communities.

“Alexandria’s selection as one of the top ten disability-friendly communities in the country is an outstanding accomplishment,” noted Chet Avery, a member of the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities.

Alexandria’s Mayor William D. Euille noted, “We’re very proud. This selection serves as a showcase of the City’s extensive accessibility features and our commitment to ensure a positive environment in Alexandria promoting full and equal access and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of our programs, services, and community life.”

All U.S. cities and towns were eligible to enter the competition which recognizes communities that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to offering citizens with disabilities full and equal opportunities to participate in the life of their community, including access to jobs, education, religious worship, voting, transportation, housing, emergency preparedness and the entire range of social, recreational, cultural, and sports activities.

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