University of Houston’s DisAbility Awareness Week kicked off Monday, Oct. 25, with a picnic and awards presentation honoring a faculty and a staff member who have contributed to the academic life of disabled students this year.

The Center for Students with DisABILITIES bestowed its Outstanding Faculty Award to Simon Bott, research associate professor of chemistry. Bott was nominated by one of his students, with a disability, and who stated, “Without question, Dr. Bott is one of the best professors at UH.”

Diane Gwamanda, head of Access Services at M.D. Anderson Library, received the Outstanding
Staff Award. Laura Koltutsky, librarian, nominated Gwamanda because of the major role she plays in ensuring that the facility is accessible to all students, especially those with disabilities.

DisAbility Awareness Week ends Thursday, Oct. 28, with a wheelchair basketball tournament
from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

For more information on the week, visit
http://www.uh.edu/uhtoday/2004/10oct/102104disa_awareness.html.