The UVM Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI) is thrilled to announce that Dr. Bryan Dague, a Research Assistant professor, Ed.D., CRC was honored with a new award. Champlain Community Services (CCS), a developmental services agency, celebrated Bryan’s work at their annual award luncheon on April 25. He received a brand-new award named after him called “The Bryan Dague Award for Exceptional Service.”
This award is for exceptional service and outstanding contributions to the field of disability advocacy. Bryan has devoted 32 years to making positive system changes within the disability advocacy community. He is a champion for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD).
Mike Reilly, CCS Development Coordinator, presented Bryan with the award saying, “Bryan’s imprints and influences, connections and contributions are everywhere in our field. At CCS and UVM to be sure, but his impact extends statewide, nationally and even globally.”
Jesse Suter, CDCI’s Executive Director, shared that “Bryan has led efforts for years to ensure people with disabilities have community jobs doing what they love. He’s done this through trainings and technical assistance on supported employment. And he created and has led Think College at UVM for over 10 years. I’m thrilled CCS recognized his work with this award in his name. This honor is well deserved!”
Dague said of the award:
“I was honored to be recognized by Champlain Community Services at their annual awards luncheon. I am the inaugural recipient of the ‘Bryan Dague Award for Exceptional Service’ for lifetime achievement in disability advocacy. Champlain Community Services is an excellent agency that has been near and dear to my heart over the years. I started working with them 32 years ago and assisted in their transformation from sheltered work to community-based employment. This was the last sheltered workshop in Vermont, and they were the focus of my doctoral research (.pdf).
The families, participants, and staff have shown the meaning of true community inclusion. They’ve become an example of successful transformation with one of the highest employment rates in the state. I am extremely grateful for this recognition and affiliation with Champlain Community Services.”
The UVM Center on Disability & Community Inclusion congratulates Bryan on this well-earned award.
