CIS was out in full force for the 2024 Brighter Future Awards, which brought together people from all facets of the disabilities services world to celebrate another year of improving access and equality for people with disabilities.

These awards were extra special because our partners at Cintas Unform Services – Location 61 received this year’s Employment and Career Development Award of Excellence for the extraordinary ways they’ve embraced and empowered Cintas employees with disabilities. Congratulations to our Cintas partners Jaclyn Joaquin, Jason Kay, Bill Leister, and Michelle Mullarkey, who truly walk the walk when it comes to access and choice for people with disabilities. 

Check out this video highlighting our collaboration with Cintas, and enjoy these photos from Tuesday’s Awards Ceremony. The Ceremony brought together direct support professionals, recipients of supportive services, and many local and statewide leaders–like Rep. Steven Kinsey, pictured here with Chaz, DBHIDS employee and all-around superstar–who do so much to expand choice and access for people with disabilities and to support those who support them. Also pictured are CIS’s Bill Smyth with artist J West, and John, a longtime and much-loved CIS participant. 

Thanks to the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbility Services for such an outstanding event, and to Lorraine Ballard Morrill for being such an outstanding Master of Ceremonies.