Disability Awareness Committee

The Phoenix Sister Cities Disability Awareness Committee (DAC) was the first of its kind developed in the United States. To this day, Phoenix Sister Cities remains the only local program with a committee that focuses on promoting disability awareness.

The DAC has won numerous awards for excellence recognizing exchange programs organized with Phoenix Sister Cities. Current programs include:

Also:

Adaptive recreation exchanges
Training workshops
Exchange of information on mobility and accessibility
Holiday Teddy Bear and Book Event to benefit children with special needs and pediatric cancer patients

View the PDF

Mission Statement

To provide Phoenix Sister Cities Commission (PSCC) with the opportunity to increase disability awareness in the City of Phoenix and its member sister cities for the purpose of promoting the equalization of opportunities within society on behalf of all world citizens, by incorporating individuals with disabilities into all aspects of Phoenix Sister Cities programming.

International Competition for Artists with Disabilities

International Competition for Writers with Disabilities

How Can I Get Involved?

You don’t have to formally work in the disability field and/or have a disability to be part of this team. We are always looking for dedicated people who can offer fresh ideas. Sharing ideas, resources and energy help make a successful committee. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Cindy Braun at (602) 534-3751.

Resources:
ABIL: http://ability360.org
AZ spinal Cord Injury Association: www.azspinal.org
ADD/ADHD Attention Deficit Disorder: www.helpguide.org
Alport Syndrome: www.alportsyndrome.org
Angelman Syndrome: www.angelman.org
Arizona Autism Coalition: www.azautism.org
Arizona Center for Disability Law: www.azdisabilitylaw.org
Arthritis: www.arthritisfoundation.com
Asperger Syndrome: www.aspergers.com
Autism: www.autism.com
Autism and Computers: https://www.isp.com/blog/tech-safety-guide-for-parents-of-children-with-asd/ [isp.com]
Autism and Sleep: https://myslumberyard.com/blog/autism-and-sleep-empowering-children-with-asd-for-better-sleep/
The Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center/SARRC: www.autismcenter.org
Autism Speaks: www.autismspeaks.org
Bilateral perilymph fistulas: www.american-hearing.org
Blind: www.nfb.org
Brain Injury: www.biausa.org
Center for Disease Control & Prevention: www.cdc.gov
Cerebral Palsy: www.cpco.org
Challenging Behavior: www.challengingbehavior.org
Driving with Autism: https://www.thesimpledollar.com/insurance/auto/driving-with-autism-how-to-prepare-for-your-drivers-test/
Down Syndrome: www.downsyndrome.com
Epilepsy: www.epilepsy.com
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: www.nofas.org
Fragile X Syndrome: www.fragilexsyndrome.org
It’s Time to be Sensory-Aware
Institute for Human Development: www.nau.edu
Mental Health: www.mbcd.org
NADD an association for persons with developmental disabilities and Mental Health Needs: www.thenadd.org
PAL Experiences: www.palexperience.org
Preparing for Extreme Weather: https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/disaster-preparedness-guide/
Raising Special Kids: www.raisingspecialkids.org
Sleep and Sensory Processing Disorder: https://myslumberyard.com/blog/sleep-and-sensory-processing-disorder/
Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome: www.smithleliopitz.org
Smith-Magenis Syndrome: www.smithmagenissyndrome.com
Special Olympics: www.specialolympics.org or www.specialolympicsarizona.org
Tourette syndrome: www.tourettesyndrome.net
Spina Bifida: www.spinabiffidaassociation.org
The Division of Developmental Disabilities: www.azdes.gov
Transverse Myelitis: www.myelitis.org
Technology for Autism: www.verizon.com/info/family/assistive-technology-for-autism/Williams Syndrome: www.williams-syndrome.org

News

Phoenix Sister Cities DAC-Grenoble Delegation Trip

The PSC Grenoble and Disabilities Awareness Committees’ delegation traveled to our sister city of Grenoble, France for a Europe-wide accessibility conference. Members of the delegation included: PSC Disabilities Awareness Committee (DAC) Chair Michael Sleeseman, DAC Vice-Chair Mary Jane Trunzo, ADA Coordinator/ Disabilities Service Manager Nanette Odell, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Jay Whipple and PSC Grenoble Committee Vice-Chair Janine Bobin.
The six-day intensive program involved presentations from both the Grenoble/DAC Committee and various Grenoble disabilities-focused organizations within the business, medical, educational, and public/ nonprofits fields. Mary Jane Trunzo gave a presentation about Phoenix Sister Cities and the Disabilities Awareness Committee’s award-winning activities and initiatives.
Nanette Odell had the opportunity to present to the students of the University of Grenoble, College of Urban Planning who were preparing for a trip to help improve access to another part of the world. The presentation covered Facility Access, Program Access, and Training and universal design. The emphasis was applying the practices of universal design from the concept stage all the way through the approved final. Students were engaged in the conversation and shared ideas on how to creatively modify existing spaces in a cost-efficient manner.
Nanette Odell had the opportunity to present to the students of the University of Grenoble, College of Urban Planning who were preparing for a trip to help improve access to another part of the world. The presentation covered Facility Access, Program Access, and Training and universal design. The emphasis was applying the practices of universal design from the concept stage all the way through the approved final. Students were engaged in the conversation and shared ideas on how to creatively modify existing spaces in a cost-efficient manner.
Jay Whipple, presented on accessibility for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to the innovate research and development staff of the CEA Tech, Minatec Campus. Jay Whipple’s presentation analyzed the Roots of Orientation and Mobility (M & O) which go back hundreds of years. The overview included a look at the systematic and technique based training that began shortly after World War I that has evolved and still used today.

Committee

DAC Committee Contact Information

Chairperson: Mary Jane Trunzo [email protected]
Staff Liaison: Grace Koube [email protected]

The committee meets the first Tuesday of the month, except July and December.

Meetings begin at 5:00pm and are held via teleconference.
Please dial 602-744-5850 and type in the meeting ID: 23646#

ICAD

Phoenix Sister Cities International Competition for Artists with Disabilities

2024 Theme: No One Left Behind

ICAD Brochure and Entry Form

Competition Fact Sheet:

Eligibility: Persons 19 years of age and older with a disability residing in the state of Arizona or one of Phoenix’s 11 sister cities: Calgary, Canada; Catania, Italy; Chengdu, China; Ennis, Ireland; Grenoble, France; Hermosillo, Mexico; Himeji, Japan; Prague, Czech Republic; Ramat-Gan, Israel; Suwon, South Korea; Taipei, Taiwan.

Type of Art: Two dimensional watercolors, pastels, pen and ink, charcoal, photography, mixed media, and computer-generated art. All artwork and photos must be mounted.

Size: No larger than 24″x 30″ (60cm X 75cm, including matting).

Entry Options: A. Competition: Prize money for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. No entry fee, but 1st piece donated to Disability Awareness Committee (DAC). If multiple entries, specify which is for donation; otherwise DAC will choose donated piece. Any additional pieces sold, split proceeds 50/50 between artist and DAC. Only Donated Pieces Eligible for Cash Prizes. B. Exhibition: No prize money, but recognition for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place; $15 entry fee per participant regardless of number of entries. Participants responsible for picking up their artwork or covering the cost of packaging and mailing.

Judging: A panel of judges will evaluate entries on the basis of theme interpretation.

Due Date: Artwork will not be accepted after this date: February 28, 2024.

Packing and Shipping: Art should be well-protected for shipment and shipped so that it reaches Phoenix by February 28, 2024. Please ship art to AICCD, 4545 North 36th Street, Suite 125A, Phoenix, AZ 85018.

Prizes: $500 first place; $300 second place, & $150 third place. $500 People’s Choice, $500 Best Photograph, $300 Best Local artist. A certificate of participation will be given to all entrants.

Awards Event: April 20, 2024 at The Exposed Studio and Gallerym, 4225 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85013.

Contact person: Robin Baethke [email protected]

View the Competition Fact Sheet as a PDF.

2019 ICAD

People’s Choice Award:
Xiong Bo Qing (Chengdu, China)

Woman in a white dress sitting on a tree stump looking distressed while her dog poses for the camera

Best Local Artist:
Jessie Gallagher (Phoenix, AZ)

Person-shaped Tree with a heart and flowers

Competition:
1. Ming Chen (Chengdu, China)- Left
2. Cassandra Collins (Phoenix, AZ) – Middle
3. Jana Vaculikova (Prague, Czech Republic) – Right

monkey chain grabbing a crescent moon out of a glowing body of water

a female pilot blocking the sun with her hand

a fisherman in a yellow jacket with a bird at the end of their pole

Exhibition:
1. Jason Gunning (Calgary, Canada) – Left
2. Tamara Twa (Calgary, Canada) – Middle
3. Lorraine Balagtas (Calgary, Canada) – Right

Star Lit night with mountains in the background and a bright, reflective lake

Varying types of tree leaves of varying colors

a guitar with musical notes with a background made of dots and many colors

ICWD

Phoenix Sister Cities International Competition for Writers with Disabilities

2024 Theme: Equality, Prosperity and Peace for All

ICWD Brochure and Entry Form

Eligibility: Persons 19 years of age and older with a disability residing in the City of Phoenix or one of Phoenix’s ten sister cities: Calgary, Canada; Catania, Italy; Chengdu, China; Ennis, Ireland; Grenoble, France; Hermosillo, Mexico; Himeji, Japan; Prague, Czech Republic; Ramat-Gan, Israel; Suwon, South Korea; and Taipei, Taiwan.

Type of Writing: Poems of 32 lines or less submitted in English.

Theme: “Equality, Prosperity, and Peace for All”

Entry Fee: $15 per entrant for residents of Phoenix. No fee for residents of any one of Phoenix’s 11 sister cities.

Submittal Requirements:

• Poems are requested to be submitted by e-mail as Word files. E-mail to [email protected]
• Poems must be submitted with a cover note listing the author’s name, address and phone number.
• The name must not be on the poem itself.
• Poems must be submitted in English. Poems not submitted in English will be sent to the PSC Committee Members. If poems cannot be translated by members of the PSC Committee Members, or other qualified persons, poems will be translated through a computerized program.
• Subject matter is open, but must be consistent with the theme.
• Entries not conforming to contest rules will be disqualified; entry fees will not be returned.

Judging:

A panel of judges will evaluate entries based on theme interpretation, composition, and originality.

Due Date: September 20, 2024

Prizes: 1st -$500, 2nd-$300, 3rd- $150. Certificates of Participation will be provided to all participants.

Publication: Poems will be published on the PSC website .

Awards Event: Friday, November 8, 2024, at Fair Trade Café, located at 1020 N. 1st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003.

For More Information: Contact: Robin Baethke at [email protected] or call 602-224-0202.

View requirements as PDF: ICWD 2024 Summary Table.

2022 ICWD

First Place: The Peaceful World in My Eyes by Tian Zhongqi from Chengdu, China

The Peaceful World in My Eyes
by Tian Zhongqi from Chengdu, China

At every intersection, there’s always a light
No matter if you need or not
No matter if blind or not
Just for lightening your fears

The Peaceful World in my eyes
Is always being colorful whatever my poor eyesight
I believe I can touch your hands
I trust my voice can be heard
Just because that’s what I think a peaceful world should be

The peaceful world in my eyes
The peaceful world in my eyes is that any variety of leaves
Has its own unique pattern, big, small or incomplete or beautiful
t will sprout in Spring and fall in Autumn

The Peaceful world in my eyes
Is that white pigeons have branches to rest
So that they can go on East or West, or
War or barrenness will eventually mark the olive branch
As the stamp of the Earth

Second Place: Peace by Gabrielle Cardenas from Tucson, Arizona.

Peace
by Gabrielle Cardenas from Tucson, Arizona

We can find it in any and all places.

Some might agree that peace is watching the sunset change, from light baby-girl pink to bright Fanta-orange, blend with soft lavender purples and fluffy clouds. All this on a warm summer evening, accompanied by the West Coast’s cool breeze. Could this be your peace?

Others may agree, that peace is in the very first sip of a perfectly hot cup of tea, on a long cold day when the aromas are penetrating deep into your soul and filling you with an unexplainable sense of relief and calm. Maybe this is your peace.

Yet, we must still remember the essence of the soothing sounds of crashing waves in the distance, when feeling our toes engulfed in cool sand, and the warn sun rays kissing down on our bodies. My peace is the full-body experience,

Disabilities do not hinder sensational awareness. Instead, it awakens the depths of a person: to face themselves in ways never known and relearning our senses. This awakens inner peace with the world around us.

All these experiences are within a range of sensation that calls us to peace: see, taste, hear, and feel the peace beyond.

Third Place: The Quail by Kathleen Coleman from Cave Creek, Arizona.

The Quail
by Kathleen Coleman from Cave Creek, Arizona

The Quail walk along my fence bravely calling out revery throughout the woods

The tribe answered back near and far

I have fresh water awaiting them

They transcend the landscape One by One

Quail keep their tribes together and safe

Away from the Warriors who would to them harm

When one is injured they take care until the end

A lesson Humanity could seek to attain with all…but especially the Disabled

My Tribe had rejected and abandoned me a long time ago

I fight for strength and courage

A better Life…To Help Others again

A Tribe that accepts me as I am

As I watch the quail daily from my chair

I see these happy trumpeteers

Helping me me to recuperate 18 years of Chronic Pain

Ricocheting in my Brain

I thought I heard them say today

All we want is Peace in Ukraine

The World must look to the Symbolism of the Quail

For the Lessons on Mother Earth

Group Cooperation, Living in Harmony…Love…Hope…Peace

All are imperative For our Collective Solus to not only Survive…

But Thrive

Make this Our Goal

Bear and Book Fundraiser

DONTE TODAY!

Bear and Book 2020

Bear and Book 2019

DAC giving child bear and book set — Bear and Book at Gompers 2019

The DAC Committee posing in front of Christmas Tree — Bear and Book at Gompers 2019

DAC Calendars

Artwork and poetry from the International Competition for Artists with Disabilities and the International Competition for Writers with Disabilities is featured!

COST: $10.00

Purchase a Calendar Online!

If you would like to pay via cash or check*, please send your payment to:

Phoenix Sister Cities
200 W. Washington St., 20th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003

*Please make all checks payable to Phoenix Sister Cities.

After you have purchased a calendar, a committee member will reach out to you with more information on calendar pick-up. Please contact our office at 602-534-3751 with any questions or concerns.

2019-2020 Calendar:

Events & Activities

2018’s International Competition for Artists with Disabilities (6/6/2018) - ...
Arizona State Fair – Phoenix Sister Cities WorldFEST Event (11/29/2017) - On October 21st, 2017, Phoenix Sister Cities hosted WorldFEST at the Arizona State Fair. Phoenix Sister Cities had ten informational booths, nine of our sister cities committees and one for… ...
International Competition for Artists with Disabilities 2017 (11/29/2017) - The Phoenix Sister Cities Disability Awareness Committee held its 12th Annual International Competition for Artists with Disabilities Awards Reception on November 3, 2017. The International Competition for Artists with Disabilities… ...
Grenoble DAC Delegation Trip 2017 (2/17/2017) - ...