Barbara Jordan Media Award Winners Announced
AUSTIN – The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities has announced the winners of the 34th Annual Barbara Jordan Media Awards for pieces produced in 2016. Winners were chosen by a panel of judges, including journalists, professionals in the field of disabilities, and Texans with disabilities, and will be honored during a ceremony hosted by the University of North Texas Frank W. & Sue Mayborn School of Journalism on Thursday, April 13, 2017 on the campus of the University of North Texas.
The Barbara Jordan Media Awards luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Apogee Club at the University of North Texas Apogee Stadium, 1251 S Bonnie Brae Street, Denton, Texas, 76207. The doors open at 11:00 a.m. To purchase tickets go to the event’s Registration Page.
The winners of this year’s Barbara Jordan Media Awards are:
Book
Deborah Nowinski, Nassau Bay
“Your Role in Inclusion Theatre”
ISBN 9781517357498
Book Student
Madelynn Faith Niles, Laredo
“My Hospital Journey – It’s Okay to be Afraid”
Tate Publishing, 978-1-68270-671-8
Print Feature
Matthew Payne, Denton Record Chronicle
“Veteran’s 900 mile ride ends in Aubrey”
http://www.dentonrc.com/local-
Print Commentary
Adam Pitluk, formerly with Dallas Morning News
“Reading, Writing and Assessment: Researchers on the verge of an early dyslexia diagnosis”
http://www.dallasnews.com/
Broadcast Feature
Elizabeth Jeneault, Spectrum News, Austin
“Lights, Camera, Sign: Austin News Show for the Deaf Rises in Popularity”
whttp://www.twcnews.com/tx/austin/
Broadcast Series
Alisha Laventure, WFAA, Dallas
“12 Amputations, 2 Years Recovery, 1 New Lease on Life”
Part 1 – http://www.wfaa.com/news/
Part 2 – http://www.wfaa.com/life/
Part 3 – http://www.wfaa.com/life/
Radio
Wendy Rigby, Texas Public Radio, San Antonio
“Valor Games Played in Military City, USA”
http://tpr.org/post/valor-
Photojournalism
Jay Janner and James Gregg, Austin American-Statesman
“Paralyzed Triathlete Strives to Race Again”
http://specials.mystatesman.
College Student
Megan Mikaelian, Reporting Texas, Austin
“Austin Blades Give Disabled Children Full-Contact Hockey Experience”
http://reportingtexas.com/
High School Student
Miranda Alexander, Frisco Independent School District
“Jaxon is Able”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Internet
Teresa Schnyder, University of Texas at Arlington
“UTA Movin Mavs host Ethiopian sports advocates”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Director’s Challenge – Public Service Announcement
Eric Edling, University of North Texas
“Respect the Lines”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Since 1982, the Barbara Jordan Media Awards, created by the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, has served the purpose of recognizing and honoring print, broadcast, and internet media professionals and students who accurately and respectfully report on individuals with disabilities, using People First language and positive portrayals. Because the media has an integral role in shaping public perceptions, the awards are meant to raise awareness within the journalism profession and among the public.
The awards are named in honor of Barbara Jordan, a Houston native and U.S. Congresswoman who gained recognition and a place of honor in history. She was known as a remarkable orator who broke barriers and built bridges. Jordan received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and served for one day in 1972 as the Governor of Texas (both Governor Preston Smith and Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes were out of state). In 1973, Jordan was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and eventually began to use a cane and then a wheelchair. Jordan passed away in 1996.
For more information on the awards ceremony, please contact the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities at (512) 463-5739.