International Disability Rights Advocate Judith Heumann to be Honored at ABRA Auto Body & Glass Celebration of Courage

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomorrow evening, Courage Center celebrates the accomplishments of people with disabilities at the ABRA Auto Body & Glass Celebration of Courage. The event is at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center with event hosts former U.S. Representative Jim Ramstad and his wife Kathryn and is emceed by KSTP TV Morning Anchor Rebekah Wood. The evening kicks off with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m., a reception at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and the award show from 8-9:30 p.m.

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An important part of this annual fundraiser is presentation of the National Courage Award. Since 1980, this award has honored 27 individuals who have made a significant contribution to the health, welfare and rehabilitation of people with disabilities. This year's award is presented to disability rights advocate and leader Judith Heumann, special advisor, International Disability Rights, for the U.S. State Department. Heumann, who will attend via remote access, previously served as director of the Department on Disability Services for the District of Columbia, and was responsible for the Developmental Disability Administration and Rehabilitation Services Administration.

In addition, the Medtronic Jay and Rose Phillips Awards honor people with disabilities who have achieved outstanding vocational and community success, and a caregiver whose professional assistance is vital to the successful work and community involvement of a person with a disability. This year's honorees are:

• William "James" Anderl, Rochester, Minn., a thermal design packaging engineer with IBM
• Jim Counts, Mendota Heights, Minn., an operations supervisor with the Social Security Administration
• Nick Zerwas, Elk River, Minn., a latent print examiner for Target Corporation
• Valerie Shirley, St. Paul Minn. (Caregiver Award), who is involved in teaching ASL within the local Somali community.

The event includes a performance by the Minnesota Health Sciences Orchestra, a multi-media and dance presentation, and a brief film: Advocacy: Your Voice ~ Our World.

Photos available upon request.

About Courage Center

Courage Center is a Minnesota-based nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center that advances the lives of children and adults experiencing barriers to health and independence.  At Courage Center, we specialize in treating brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, chronic pain, autism, and disabilities experienced since birth.  Founded in 1928, Minneapolis-based Courage Center offers advanced technologies and innovation provided in part through the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors. For more information visit www.CourageCenter.org.

SOURCE Courage Center