Hundreds of Houstonians with disabilities, allies, family and friends packed the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center Friday morning to celebrate inclusivity and equal opportunity at the City of Houston’s annual Disability Celebration. 

Since its inception around 2012, the event has recognized advocates for the disabled community through its Champions of Inclusion, or COIN, awards in the categories of city government, employment, allyship and advocacy at the MMSC at 1475 West Gray St., home to the city’s only adaptive sports and recreation center. 

“Recognition is important,” said Angel Ponce, director of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. “Many people in the disability community often go unrecognized for their many accomplishments that benefit the disability community. We just want to make sure the community is recognized throughout every administration.”

The nearly four-hour event began with a resource fair featuring dozens of nonprofits and employers that cater to people with disabilities, followed by a program awarding five recipients as Champions of Inclusion, and performances from The Dance Pointe EmPower Dance Team and The Hub Houston HUBCAPS. H-E-B and METRO sponsored the event providing appetizers, beverages and lunch. 

“It’s not just about accommodating, but it’s about embracing. It’s not just about understanding, but it’s about celebrating,” said Abbie Kamin, District C City Councilmember. “In our city, we have a crucial responsibility to promote inclusivity and ensure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities and their families.”

Shon Raleigh, who has multiple sclerosis and has utilized the MMSC for physical rehabilitation and exercise since 2021, has been to the event twice, and said he was eager to see which organizations and vendors were in attendance this year. 

Last year, he learned about the Coalition for Barrier Free Living Inc.’s independent living services program, and subsequently took its training program to learn how to drive using hand controls. This year, he learned about the Living Hope Wheelchair Association, an organization that distributes medical supplies and equipment. 

“It’s real(ly) informative,” Raleigh said. “They have a lot of stuff for people with disabilities.”

Raleigh, like many others, trickled in during the first two hours for the resource fair and managed to workout briefly before the program started at 11 a.m. Minutes into the program, the central basketball court was packed with more than 300 people, requiring staff to bring in more seats.

“It warms my heart to see this room so packed right now, because this is a complete and beautiful reflection of who our city is and what we stand for in all levels of government,” said Kamin in her remarks.

“When we prioritize inclusion, when we ensure that every voice is heard, that every talent is recognized and every individual is celebrated, that’s what Houston is. Our city’s strength lies in our diversity and that includes our beautiful and loving community of people of all abilities.”

Kamin won a COIN award for her support of social justice policies and her advocacy pushing for improvements to the MMSC, said Meridith Silcox, chair of the Houston Commission on Disabilities, who presented the award.

Other award recipients included: Stages Houston in the employment category; Mary Jane Williams, executive director of Family to Family Network, who won the COIN award for allyship; Ricky Harris, former vice chair of the Houston Commission on Disabilities who won in the advocate category; and Brennan Emeka, a former student of The River Performing Arts and Visual Arts Center and actor who most recently appeared in Theatre Under the Stars’ production of “Oklahoma!”, won the COIN advocate youth award. 

Kamin used her remarks as an opportunity to bring further attention to the needs at the MMSC — more parking, renovated bathrooms, replacements to the HVAC systems — and called for its revitalization. 

“Every single day, lives are made better because of this building. But each of you, all of us, deserves the respect and dignity of a world-class upgrade facility,” she said. “And when I talk to many of you, what I hear is appreciation and love for this building, but we also need a facelift.”

Kamin emphasized that the disabled community has an “army of support” in city and state leaders, and promised to continue to push for upgrades to the facility. 

Texas House Rep. Ann Johnson, echoed Kamin’s sentiments and thanked the disability community for being the “fabric that keeps the community together.”

“This is the most loving and generous group because you have this incredible world-renowned facility that is your home and in a crisis you open your doors,” she said. “When we have a storm and people lose power, this community, you open your doors and you welcome those that don’t have air conditioning or other support, and say ‘Come. Let us help you.’ This community reaches out every time in a crisis.”

The event closed with performances from The Dance Pointe, an adaptive dance school for people with developmental disabilities, dressed in pink t-shirts who danced to “Bop to the Top” from “High School Musical,” and The Hub Houston HUBCAPS, a band that supports neurodiverse teenagers and young adults, who got the crowd clapping and singing along to performances of “Happy” by Pharrell Williams and “Come Together” by the Beatles.

“The people that you see here today, that you’ve heard from today, are making a difference in the community, and I invite you all to participate in that mission,” Ponce said. 

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