Ken Gibson and Nan Hogan were recognized by the Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities with Disability Advocate of the Year awards for their work to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities in our community. Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland presented them with these awards at the City Council meeting on Tues., Oct. 16.

“There’s no question about it. Ken and Nan are two community leaders in Tacoma who have worked very hard to serve others,” said Strickland. “Their efforts in this area have been outstanding and they are completely deserving of this level of recognition.”

Gibson, executive director of the Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities, is this year’s Disability Advocate of the Year award recipient in the professional category. He is being recognized for the work he has done to increase the number of programs offered by TACID in service of over 3,600 individuals each year. Under his leadership, he has emphasized within TACID a culture of quality customer service, and the concept that peer support, advocacy and education can help pave the road to independent living.

Hogan is this year’s Disability Advocate of the Year award recipient in the volunteer category. She was appointed to the Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities in October 2008 and served for three years. During that time, she did a significant amount of community outreach through the Neighborhood Councils, and formed a steering committee to tackle misuse of Americans With Disabilities Act parking throughout Tacoma. In support of her efforts, the City’s parking enforcement staff emphasized its patrol of parking stalls which also featured signage she helped redesign for greater visibility.

More information about the Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities’ Disability Advocate of the Year awards is online here.