Hammond marks 40th Disabilities Awards; mayor proclaims March Disabilities Awareness Month

Hammond City celebrated the 40th annual Mayor's Commission on Disabilities Awards Breakfast with remarks from local leaders, a keynote on inclusion and a mayoral proclamation declaring March Disabilities Awareness Month.

Melissa Campbell, emcee and a member of the City of Hammond Economic Development Department, opened the program and introduced partners who supported accessibility at the event, including interpreter Kathy Curtis and music by Frank Natarelli. "Today is more than just a breakfast. It's a celebration," she said, framing the morning as recognition for those "who go above and beyond in our community."

Elena Magallanes, vice president of the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities, reviewed the commission's work this year — saying the group hosted more than 500 people for Festival of the Lakes Persons with Disabilities Day, facilitated two lunch-and-learn sessions with roughly 100 attendees combined, and helped 11 households build ADA-compliant ramps — and delivered the program's central message: "You belong." She said the commission seeks to make accessibility and inclusivity "a standard of dignity."

Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. thanked past and present commission members, honored the late longtime commissioner Joe Bogosiewicz and recognized elected officials and staff in attendance. Reading a proclamation, the mayor declared March as Disabilities Awareness Month in Hammond, urging residents to "be cognizant of the achievements and needs of individuals living with a disability." The proclamation text emphasized accessible buildings, services and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. (The proclamation was read aloud by the mayor; no formal vote was recorded.)

Jason Godey, director of the Lake County Veterans Service Office and the event's keynote speaker, said disability "is not a limitation" but "part of the human experience," and described encountering veterans and families who benefit when systems and communities prioritize access, support and dignity. Godey noted his personal connection as a parent of a child on the autism spectrum and said that professional work and family experience reinforce each other: "Access matters, support matters, and dignity matters."

Crystal Ballard, Secondary Coordinator for School City of Hammond Special Education, framed special education as a civil-rights issue. "Education is a civil right, not a civil privilege," Ballard said, and praised teachers, therapists and community partners who support students with disabilities.

The program honored a range of community members and organizations. Individual Adult awards went to Ruth Hudson (15 years at Van Tilghs) and Michael Schaub (10 years at Strack and Van Tilghs); Lakia Johnson received the Caregiver Award; Shannon Cano received the Youth Caregiver Award; the Youth Award went to Isaiah Harvey, founder of the Quantum Visionary Foundation and creator of the haptic device SignalSafe 2; the Hammond Sportsplex received the Business Award for its vocational internship partnership with School City of Hammond; Alma Guthrie, head custodian for the Hammond Police Department, received the Charles Nagy Jr. Award; and Dawn Luther received the Artist Recipient Award. A posthumous recognition for commissioner Joe Bogosiewicz was accepted by his nephew, Lee Gibbs.

Organizers invited all award winners to the stage for a group photo and closed the program with thanks to the mayor, the commission and event partners.

The commission's continuing work, organizers said, focuses on expanding outreach to children with autism, improving access across Hammond and recognizing caregivers and advocates who support residents with disabilities.

Next steps: the commission will continue outreach and programming; no formal legislative actions or votes were recorded during the program.