Barbara Jordan Media Awards - Winners

2021 Award Winners

Written/Print

Simone Carter, Denton Record Chronicle
"Disability rights advocates' vigil honors 'unseen and unheard' voices"

Special Contribution, Written/Print

Texas School for the Deaf - 2019-2020 Annual Report
"You Belong Here"

Photojournalism

Ricardo Brazziell, Austin American-Statesman
"Despite accident that changed his life, Bowie’s Evan Mallett has reason to be thankful"

College Student

Andre Williams, The Daily Texan
"UT must be proactive in outreach for disability accommodations"

High School Student

Alayna Amen, Seminole H.S. Tepee Yearbook
"Freshman's passion to play outweighs disease" (PDF available of yearbook pages)

Broadcast

Amanda Henderson and John Henderson, News 4 San Antonio
"Football coaches learn ASL to help hearing impaired athlete in games"

Podcast

Dr. John C. Bullion and Pam Humphrey, ESC Region #12
"Don't be afraid to be included"

Radio

Shelly Brisbin, Texas Standard/KUT
"Full Participation: 30 years of the ADA"

Special Contribution, Broadcast

Craig Davis, Texas State Independent Living Center
"Counting All My Children" (3 public service announcements)

2020 Award Winners

College Broadcast

Rebecca Sloane, The Battalion (College Station)
“Year Two: Signing the Midnight Yell”

College Print Magazine

Sarah Hoenig, Insite Brazos Valley magazine (Bryan)
“Beep Baseball: Making Dreams Come True”

High School Documentary

Eaglevision Film Productions, Lindale High School
Students Miles Hill, Braulio Navarro, Lauren Knox, Jeffrey Ptak, Jude Ratcliff, and Ashlynn Brice
“Miniature Blessings: Where Community Meets the Classroom”

High School Journalism

Jordan Ramsey and Jacob Choi, Eagle Nation Network, Prosper High School
“Run, Mabry, Run”

Photojournalism

Lola Gómez, Austin American-Statesman
“Just Like Me”

Radio Podcast

Shelly Brisbin, Relay FM (Austin)
“36 Seconds That Changed Everything: How the iPhone Learned to Talk”

Radio Broadcast (Series)

Laura Isensee, Houston Public Media
“Texas Students Fighting for Special Education Services”

Broadcast Feature

Walt Maciborski, CBS Austin KEYE-TV
“Game On!”

Broadcast Entertainment

Teresa Woodard, WFAA-TV Channel 8 (Dallas)
“I’m Not Less: They have autism, and the video games they develop are hitting it big”

Print Feature

Suzanne Garofalo, Houston Chronicle
“Daughter of the Water”

Print Profile

Megan Rodriguez, The Bryan-College Station Eagle
“Bridget Frank: Facing challenges, pursuing her passion”

Print News

Mary Huber, Austin American-Statesman
“The Long March to Healing: One soldier’s recovery after the Fort Hood shooting”

Print Magazine

Britni McAshan, Texas Medical Center’s Pulse magazine (Houston)
“Shooting for Gold: An elite athlete sets her sights on the Paralympics”

2019 Award Winners

College Broadcast

Rebecca Sloane, The Battalion
“Year Two: Signing the Midnight Yell”

College Print Magazine

Sarah Hoenig, Insite Brazos Valley magazine
“Beep Baseball: Making Dreams Come True”

High School Documentary

High School Journalism

Jordan Ramsey and Jacob Choi, Eagle Nation Network, Prosper High School
“Run, Mabry, Run”

Photojournalism

Lola Gómez, Austin American-Statesman
“Just Like Me”

Radio Podcast

Shelly Brisbin, Relay FM
“36 Seconds That Changed Everything: How the iPhone Learned to Talk”

Radio Broadcast (Series)

Laura Isensee, Houston Public Media
“Texas Students Fighting for Special Education Services”

Broadcast Feature

Walt Maciborski, CBS Austin KEYE-TV
“Game On!”

Broadcast Entertainment

Teresa Woodard, WFAA-TV Channel 8
“I’m Not Less: They have autism, and the video games they develop are hitting it big”

Print Feature

Suzanne Garofalo, Houston Chronicle
“Daughter of the Water”

2018 Award Winners

Book

Nancy Shugart
Prove Them Wrong – Be the One to Make it Happen

Children’s Book

Chris Barton
What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan

Broadcast Feature, Extended

Mike Snyder, Bob Phillips, Kelli Phillips, Dan Stricklin, Texas Country Reporter
Iron Will

Broadcast Feature

Ana Ramirez, Austin American-Statesman
Swimming for a Dream

Broadcast News

Wayne Carter, NBC 5 / KXAS-TV
Disabled Woman Says Uber Driver Refused Service Due to Service Animal

College Student

William Dennis Kosinski, The Daily Texan
Deaf students struggle with getting last-minute interpreters

High School Student

Hanna Gaither, Dripping Springs The Paw Print
A Person First Before Hurtful Words

Photojournalism

Cody Duty, Texas Medical Center’s Pulse magazine
Racing to Recovery

Radio

Nadia Hamdan, KUT Austin
Capital Metro tests new ways to help blind riders catch the bus

Written/Print

Marc Ramirez, The Dallas Morning News
Living inside a canister: Dallas polio survivor is one of few people left in U.S. using iron lung

2017 Award Winners

Book

Deborah Nowinski, Nassau Bay
“Your Role in Inclusion Theatre”
ISBN 9781517357498

Book Student

Madelynn Faith Niles, Laredo
“My Hospital Journey – It’s Okay to be Afraid”
Tate Publishing, 978-1-68270-671-8

Print Feature

Matthew Payne, Denton Record Chronicle
“Veteran’s 900 mile ride ends in Aubrey”

Print Commentary

Adam Pitluk, formerly with Dallas Morning News
Reading, Writing and Assessment: Researchers on the verge of an early dyslexia diagnosis

Broadcast Feature

Elizabeth Jeneault, Spectrum News, Austin
“Lights, Camera, Sign: Austin News Show for the Deaf Rises in Popularity”

Broadcast Series

Alisha Laventure, WFAA, Dallas
“12 Amputations, 2 Years Recovery, 1 New Lease on Life”
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Radio

Wendy Rigby, Texas Public Radio, San Antonio
“Valor Games Played in Military City, USA”

Photojournalism

Jay Janner and James Gregg, Austin American-Statesman
“Paralyzed Triathlete Strives to Race Again” (video)

College Student

Megan Mikaelian, Reporting Texas, Austin
“Austin Blades Give Disabled Children Full-Contact Hockey Experience”

High School Student

Miranda Alexander, Frisco Independent School District
“Jaxon is Able”

Internet

Teresa Schnyder, University of Texas at Arlington
“UTA Movin Mavs host Ethiopian sports advocates”

Director’s Challenge – Public Service Announcement

Eric Edling, University of North Texas
“Respect the Lines”

2016 Award Winners (for 2015 submissions)

Meredith & Me: a mother and daughter on a profoundly different journey by Sarah Barnes
Journalist, Austin

TELEVISION (TIE)

Shredders by Greg Groogan and John Starling
Fox-26 TV, Houston

Local Paralympic Athlete Another Step Closer to His Dream by David Chancellor
WOAI Sports Sunday, San Antonio

TELEVISION EXTENDED

The Hardest Working Man by Bob Phillips, Brian Hawkins and Kelli Phillips
Phillips Productions, Dallas

RADIO

State Pays Some Workers with Disabilities Pennies per Hour by Alain Stephens
KUT, Austin

PHOTOJOURNALISM

Team Manager Inspires Georgetown Eagles to Soar
by Rodolfo Gonzalez and Kelly West
Austin American-Statesman, Austin

PRINT (TIE)

The Waiting Game by John Savage
The Texas Observer, Austin

Texas State’s Guendling Gives Up Football for Goal to Go: Signing Songs by Steve Habel
Austin American-Statesman, Austin

INTERNET

Why Do We Volunteer? By Kelvin Anderson, Rey Barrera, Ken Bodden, Jason Lehecka, and Joe Maloney
Department of Aging and Disability Services, Austin

COLLEGE STUDENT-PRINT

The Navigation Equation – How Blind Students Take On Texas Tech By David Talley
The Hub, Texas Tech University, Lubbock

COLLEGE STUDENT-VIDEO

Salsa and the Machine by Lea Konczal and Jeanette Pérez
UT Journalism Department, The University of Texas at Austin

2015 Award Winners (for 2014 submissions)

BOOK

My Father’s Eyes by Sheila Allee

TV FEATURE (TIE)

Adaptive Crossfit by Kevin Reece, Houston
KHOU-TV

Summer Jobs by Teresa Woodard, Dallas
WFAA-TV

INTERNET

Bridging the Gap: Arts in Context by Eve Tarlo and Galia Farber, Austin
KLRU-TV

PHOTOJOURNALISM

Confidence and Courage by Gabe Wolf, Lone Wolf Photography, Killeen
Killeen Daily Herald

PRINT

Cancer Survivor to Tackle Marathon on Two Good Legs by Roberta MacInnis
Houston Chronicle

COLLEGE STUDENT

Never Defeated by Alyssa Biere, Mary Cuba, J.C. Rickman, and Samantha Forester, Wichita Falls
Midwestern State University

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

Sisterly Love by Zhouie Martinez, Austin
The Featherduster: Westlake High School

2014 Award Winners (for 2013 submissions)

TV FEATURE

Fran-Tastic by Adam Winkler, Austin
KEYE-TV

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

Uncharted Waters by Nikki Lyssy, Westlake
The Featherduster: Westlake High School

RADIO

Legally Blind Austin Man to Run Boston Marathon with a Special Guest by Matt Largey, Austin
KUT Radio

PHOTOJOURNALISM

Finding His Voice by Ralph Barrera, Austin
Austin American Statesman

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION

An Interview with Dr. Temple Grandin by Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Austin
Coalition of Texans with Disabilities and Golden Arm Productions
10th Annual Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival

COLLEGE STUDENT

MS: Painfully Invisible by Chelsea Henderson, Beaumont
UPBeat: Lamar University Press Magazine

TV FEATURE - EXTENDED

Roxy's Recipes by Bob Phillips, Dan Stricklin and Mike Snyder, Dallas
Texas Country Reporter

PRINT

Scruggs Finds Sister of Strength by Sarah Mervosh, Dallas
Dallas Morning News

INTERNET

Visions Made Real by Tina Phan, Omar Gallaga, and Ralph Barrera, Austin
Austin American Statesman

2013 Award Winners (for 2012 submissions)

BOOK

Shouting in the Dark by John Bramblitt, Denton
Publisher: Globe Pequot Press

PHOTOJOURNALISM

A Will to Walk (Videography) by Mario Sandoval, Weslaco
KRGV-TV

PRINT FEATURE

Private Battles/War Wounds by David Tarrant, Dallas
Dallas Morning News

PRINT FEATURE SERIES

Zach's Journey by Marc Ramirez, Dallas
Dallas Morning News

INTERNET

Moving Mountains (Declaring Independence) by Kelly West, Austin
Austin American Statesman online

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION, INDIVIDUAL

225th Birthday Celebration: Erastus "Deaf" Smith Exhibit and Tours by Steve C. Baldwin, PhD, Austin
Exhibit held at the Capitol and various other locations across Texas

TV DOCUMENTARY

Healing Heroes by Chie Saito, Austin
YNN-TV
Healing Heroes Part I
Healing Heroes Part 2
Healing Heroes Part 3
Healing Heroes Part 4
Healing Heroes Part 5
Healing Heroes Part 6

TV FEATURE

I Will Run by Greg Groogan and Mark Muller, Houston
KRIV-TV

TV FEATURE, EXT

Never Losing Focus by Bob Phillips Productions, Dallas
Texas Country Reporter (DVD)

STUDENT, HIGH SCHOOL

Students Seek to Serve by Joey Hadden, Rockwall HS
Rockwall

STUDENT, COLLEGE

Once Again by John Spottswood Moore, Austin
University of Texas at Austin

2012 Award Winners (for 2011 submissions)

Book Category

The Boy Who Saved My Life
Earle P. Martin, author

Entertainment

Rollin' with Zach
Zach Anner, Oprah Winfrey Network

Internet

Former Tennis Star Dennis Ralston
Pam LeBlanc, Austin American Statesman

Photojournalism

Among the Wounded
Lara Solt, Dallas Morning News

TV Feature

Coaching from a Different Perspective
Shane McAuliffe, KBTX-TV, Bryan

TV Feature, Extended

The Baty Bot
Matt Barrie, Noah Bullard, Peter Hull, KXAS-TV, Fort Worth

TV Documentary

Health Needs a Hero
Jen Ohlson, Arnold Payne, Pathway Productions

TV Public Service Announcement

Accessible Parking PSA
Channel 6, City of Austin

Print Feature

The Wonder of It All
Sheryl Smith-Rodgers, Texas Co-Op Power Magazine

Print Feature Series

Zach's Journey
Marc Ramirez, Dallas Morning News

Print News

Camp Gives People with Disabilities the Skills to Master Bicycling
Robert Cadwallader, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Student, High School

Anything But Bland
Kelly Stark, North Garland High School, Raider Echo

Student, College

Resident Uses Disability to Motivate Others
Kolten Parker, Texas State University, The University Star

2011 Awards Winners (for 2010 submissions)

The 2011 Barbara Jordan Media Awards was hosted by the University of Texas Division of Diversity and Community Engagement in partnership with Bank of America, the University of Texas College of Communications, and the University of Texas Student Government Students with Disabilities Agency in Austin.

Book Category

Challenged to Win
Nancy Shugart, author

Print Commentary

Daughter Was Mostly Invisible
Sarah Barnes, Austin American-Statesman

Print Feature

About a Boy
Michael Hall, Texas Monthly Magazine

Print News

UT Arlington Hosts 27 Injured Soldiers
Patrick Walker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Student

Poster Series: The Deaf Are Just Like Everyone Else
Gabriela Hanrahan, Barbara Jordan High School for Careers, Houston

Entertainment

Temple Grandin: HBO Special
Mike Jackson, Director

Internet

Defined by His Successes
Melissa Mixon, UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering

Photojournalism

Journey into the World of Autism
Eli Meir Kaplan, Time.com

Special Contribution/Organization

Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD)
CTD Film Festival; Haitian Amputee Soccer Team
Dennis Borel, Executive Director

TV Documentary (TIE)

The Eyes of Me
Keith Maitland, Illegal Films
For Once in My Life
Goodwill Industries of South Florida

TV Feature

Actors with Disabilities Find Open Arms
Jim Swift, KXAN-TV, Austin

TV Feature, Extended

Sideline Signer
Bob Phillips, Texas Country Reporter, Dallas

1983-2009 Award Winners

View a list of Past Winners as a Word Document

View a list of Past Winners as a PDF