Stephen R. Wise Advocacy Award Winner
Diana Adams and Kathy Davis Honored with
Stephen R. Wise Advocacy Award for 2024
Diana Adams is proactively involved in government and community initiatives that empower and improve the lives of people with disabilities. She has the distinction of becoming her city’s youngest elected City Council member. Diana uses her position to advocate for policy change at both local and state levels to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Last year, Diana organized a collaborative effort between the City of West Melbourne and Brevard County to install an audio crosswalk at a major intersection near an affordable independent living facility for 125 adults with disabilities. She frequently speaks with businesses, organizations and civic clubs about the importance of fostering an environment that doesn’t just include people with disabilities, but actively seeks to support and empower them.
Diana also serves on the board of the Space Coast Field of Dreams nonprofit as Secretary and Treasurer. She has demonstrated a strategic vision for long-term, systemic improvements in these positions, most notably in her support for the creation and hiring of a Special Populations Coordinator. She continues to advance the mission of the organization, making recreational opportunities more accessible by promoting physical well-being and social networking for children and adults.
Diana’s efforts contribute to a supportive environment that encourages ongoing empowerment and community engagement for people with disabilities.
Kathy Davis has over 15 years of experience providing valuable services for individuals with disabilities. As a former VR Counselor with substantial experience in strategic planning, program design, change management and project implementation, Kathy has demonstrated a tremendous passion for helping people in her community. She served several years as the Business Relations manager and is currently an Assistant Bureau Chief in the Bureau of Field Services. Both roles afforded Kathy the opportunity to continue being actively involved in promoting independence for people with disabilities.
Even before working with VR, Kathy was determined to be a productive member in her community. She served as the Employment Specialist for the North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind, where she was responsible for business engagement, training of staff and industry partners, research and knowledge translation, legislative and regulatory tracking and Social Security reimbursement.
Kathy has promoted statewide engagement with chamber of commerce events and provided educational training to businesses to prepare them for hiring individuals with disabilities. She has demonstrated a sincere passion for assisting people to transform their lives through education and work. Kathy embodies the highest ideals of a rehabilitation professional and consistently upholds the vision and mission of Vocational Rehabilitation.
