The City of Alexandria is pleased to announce the winners of the annual recognition awards presented by the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities (ACPD) in collaboration with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. These awards will be presented during an upcoming reception on Tuesday, June 30, at 5 p.m.  

Two outstanding individuals will be recognized by the ACPD:  

• Louis Tremante IV, a high school student, will receive the Gerry Bertier Scholarship, which is awarded to a student with a disability who is seeking post-secondary education.  
• Danelle Johnson, Employment & Training Specialist, Department of Community & Human Services, will receive the John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Award, which recognizes an individual who advocates for and contributes to the promotion of equal opportunity for people with disabilities in Alexandria.  

The Commitment to Disability Award will be awarded by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to an organization for making significant hiring, awareness, or accessibility contributions to those with disabilities in the Alexandria community:  

• ServiceSource and the Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund will be recognized for their work through BEST Gift Shop. BEST Gift Shop promotes and supports artisans with disabilities from all over the United States.

Attend the Awards Reception 

The reception will be held on Tuesday, June 30, at 5 p.m., at the American Physical Therapy Association (3030 Potomac Ave.). The event is free and open to the public.    

To register for the event, visit the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce event registration page. Registration is encouraged but not required.    

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact delante.wade@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3140, Virginia Relay 711.

The Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities (ACPD) is a  17 member volunteer resident at large body appointed by the Mayor and City Council to provide advice to the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager on policies, programs, and legislation affecting Alexandria's residents with physical and sensory disabilities.

Its mission is "to promote the rights of persons with disabilities by advocating for equality, dignity and independence through advising the community and advancing public awareness."

Through its Executive, standing, and ad hoc committees, the ACPD focuses its work on issues related to transportation, accessibility, housing, employment, and public awareness.  The ACPD presents awards including the Gerry Bertier Scholarship, the John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Award, two Disability Awareness Awards presented in conjunction with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce.

The ACPD meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month in the Gold Room 1 at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street, or virtually.  The public is encouraged to attend.  For more information or reasonable disability accommodations, contact Delante Wade  at 703.746.3140, Virginia Relay 711 or delante.wade@alexandriava.gov. 

For further information about the responsibilities of this commission, or to apply to serve on a board or commission, contact the City Clerk's Office at 703.746.4550.

Board and commission vacancies

• DOT Paratransit
• Virginia Poverty Law Center Senior Legal Helpline
• Tax Relief and Assistance Program for Elderly and Disabled Person
• Recently passed law for Alexandria residents provides tax advantaged saving opportunities for persons with disabilities and their families.
• National Disability Institute's Presentation on ABLE

We welcome donations to support our scholarships and other programs.

Questions or Comments? Contact the ACPD.