CCIDS Honors 2015 Daring to Dream Award Honorees in Advocacy, Public Policy Change, and Social Change

Every few years, the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies recognizes individuals or organizations whose vision and leadership contribute to making the dream of inclusive communities a reality for individuals with disabilities and their families. The Daring to Dream Awards were initiated in 2002 as part of the Center’s 10th Anniversary celebration. The inaugural awards honored Dr. Patricia Morrissey, the late Dr. Allen Crocker, and the late University of Maine Associate Dean Emerita Elaine Gershman for their contributions in laying the foundation for the establishment of the Center.

This year, the Center honored the following individuals with 2015 Daring to Dream Awards:

 Advocacy Award

Tyler Ingalls, Board member of Speaking Up for Us and founder of Maine Community Sports; for vision and leadership in advocacy in support of Maine’s self-advocacy movement and people with disabilities.

Public Policy Change Award 

Helen M. Bailey, Esq., retired General Counsel for Maine’s protection and advocacy agency, Disability Rights Maine; for vision and leadership that promotes public policy change to advance the civil rights of people with disabilities.

Social Change Award Co-Honoree

Michele Pino, retired Executive Director of the non-profit Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation; for vision and leadership that promotes social change to advance the rights of people with disabilities.

 Social Change Award Co-Honoree

Maria Timberlake, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at SUNY Cortland, Foundations and Social Advocacy Department; for vision and leadership that promotes social change to advance the rights of people with disabilities.

Award recipients were recognized during the Center’s 2015 Daring to Dream Awards Celebration on Thursday, June 18, 2015, in the Buchanan Alumni House on the campus of the University of Maine.