2026 MCDI Disability Awards and Recognition Event

The City of Phoenix Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues held its 2026 Disability Awards and Recognition event on November 2, 2026. The program recognized community advocates, organizations, businesses, and educators for advancing disability inclusion and accessibility. Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center received the Outstanding Nonprofit Award, Roya Health the Outstanding Business Award, Alicia Dunn the Community Service Award, Anthony Terrell the Outstanding Educator Award, and Jennifer Longden the Detective Walter Olsson Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards were designed by Lane Awards Manufacturing; the event also thanked the City’s Parks and Recreation Department for use of Memorial Hall. No contract award, bid approval, or new purchasing decision was announced.

Speakers highlighted city accessibility initiatives, including unanimous City Council support for the accessibility committee’s recommendations, employee autism-awareness training, more than 20,000 upgraded or installed ADA ramps, 38 miles of added sidewalk, and the launch of the Phoenix Link shared-ride pilot. The mayor also referenced a previously completed $23 million light-rail station at Ability 360; no new funding or vote on these projects was reported at the event.