Florida Department of Education Recognizes Seven Southwest Florida 'Successful 75' Award Winners
May 30, 2017
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Florida Department of Education Recognizes Seven Southwest Florida 'Successful 75' Award Winners
Tallahassee, Fla., May 30, 2017 – Today, the Department of Education’s Division of Blind Services (DBS) announced seven Southwest Florida recipients of the “Successful 75” Awards. Over the last year, DBS celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a series of informative, family-friendly events throughout Florida. At each event, local individuals, organizations and businesses were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the blind and visually impaired community.
“It is with great pleasure that I congratulate and thank these individuals for the difference they are making in our blind and visually impaired communities,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “We have come a long way in just 75 years, thanks in large part to the individuals, organizations and businesses who have supported our efforts to continue opening doors for blind and visually impaired Floridians. We remain committed to increasing accessibility, and I hope that these recipients will serve as an inspiration for more Floridians to get involved.”
"We are pleased to recognize these dedicated individuals as members of the Division of Blind Services' Successful 75," said DBS Director Robert L. Doyle. "The recipients have worked tirelessly to make a difference in their communities through outreach, advocacy, hiring practices and via their individual commitments to achieve self-sufficiency. Through these efforts, Florida continues to strive to become a barrier-free environment for residents with visual disabilities."
The following Southwest Florida individuals, organizations and businesses were recognized with the Successful 75 award.
Client Award: John DiMarco
John DiMarco received his training from Lighthouse of Collier and the DBS Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Daytona Beach. Through his company, “Quest4Vision,” he designs tools for assisted mobility and offers one-on-one training for individuals who need assistance learning how to use products for the blind and visually impaired. He has been instrumental in advocating for audible crosswalks and bus stop signs written in braille for his community. DiMarco remains active with the Lions Club of Fort Myers Beach and serves as the chair for Collier Area Transit.
Community Advocate Award: Mary Ann Grignon
Mary Ann Grignon currently serves as president of the Southwest Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) and on several FCB committees. Grignon has advocated before political entities, organized and hosted advocacy events regarding accessible voting, adaptive transportation and life skills for persons with vision loss. She has written numerous articles advocating for accessibility, dignity, and equality for persons with vision loss.
Community Advocate Award: Bruce Miles
Bruce Miles is no stranger to DBS, serving on the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind, beginning in 1985. His current appointment was made July 2016. Miles also serves as the treasurer of the Blind Services Foundation. He is a three-term past president of the Marco Island Lions Club, currently serving as their “Tail Twister” and a board member. He is also the past director on the board of the Lighthouse of Collier.
Employee Award: Leigh Ann Bellamy
Leigh Ann Bellamy is both a follower and a leader in her supervisor position in the Palmetto DBS office. In FY 2014-2015, Bellamy received an award for the most Vocational Rehabilitation placements in a fiscal year (32). She understands client services and has consistently demonstrated her competence in that area for the past nine years.
Employee Award: Linda Brown
Throughout her career, Linda Brown has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the blind population, which has continued since her retirement. For several years, she served as a DBS administrator, which thrived under her leadership. As a supervisor, Brown was known for her responsiveness to the needs of DBS clients, including Community Rehabilitation Partners, clients, employees and vendors. She is currently chair of the Board of the Manasota Lighthouse.
Employee Award: Angela Daughtry
Angela Daughtry has been dedicated to DBS for more than 20 years. As a rehabilitation specialist, she serves babies and children with vision loss, as well as adults who are not involved in the vocational program. Daughtry has been committed to providing superior services to these individuals. In 2007, she received a Davis Productivity Award for her work developing a children’s summer camp program. She continues to plan and operate summer camps for the school-aged children on her caseload each year. She also provides services throughout the school year, including outreach to the community in order to inform people of services available to DBS.
Business Award: Manatee Diagnostics Center
Manatee Diagnostic Center provides a variety of radiology services throughout Manatee and DeSoto counties. Manatee Diagnostic Center is a great model for other major businesses when hiring persons who are blind or visually impaired. The Center provides visually impaired staff with the screen reader program Job Access with Speech (JAWS). Manatee Diagnostic Center has partnered with DBS to attain Rehabilitation Engineering Services whenever the need arises.
Throughout the year-long anniversary celebration, 75 honorees were bestowed with this honor. For a full list of the DBS Successful 75 Award recipients, click here.
For more information about the Division of Blind Services and its programs, visit dbs.fldoe.org
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