The Center for Independent Living Disability Resource Center today held its 28th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act Awards and Volunteer Recognition Banquet.
Dr. Vannee Cao-Nugyen received the Joe Oldmixon Service Award for Outstanding Service to People with Disabilities.
The Joe Oldmixon Service Award is presented annually to an individual who possesses a thorough knowledge of the needs and concerns of people with disabilities. Through political, business, and community action, this individual actively seeks system change to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Joe Oldmixon was the Supervisor of Elections in Escambia County from 1952–1994, 42 years. He died in 1994 while still in office. Oldmixon was almost completely paralyzed from the time he was a teen, but never viewed his wheelchair as a “handicap†or barrier to public service.
Dr. Cao-Nguyen currently serves as the Associate Vice President of the Division of Academic Engagement at the University of West Florida. She previously served as the director of the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC).
During her 10 years with the SDRC, she made significant improvements to the service received by students with disabilities. She implemented the use of an online data management system that has streamlined services and fought for increased staffing to better serve our students. She developed the Argos for Autism Program to provide additional support for UWF students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Although there was no direct funding to support the program, she implemented a foundation account to support activities for the students.
The Argos for Autism Program she developed has been featured in multiple articles and is currently listed as #2 on the “20 Best Value Colleges for Students with Autism 2017-2018â€