LCG Honors Lafayette's 2026 Disability Awareness Award Winners

MAYOR-PRESIDENT’S AWARENESS COMMITTEE FOR CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES HONORS 2026 AWARD RECIPIENTS

Lafayette, LA – The Lafayette Mayor-President’s Awareness Committee for Citizens with Disabilities (DAC) celebrated local champions of inclusion during its annual 2026 Awards Ceremony, held October 19 in the Heymann Performing Arts Center ballroom.

Dozens of community members from across Lafayette Parish gathered for breakfast and fellowship as this year’s honorees were recognized for their outstanding leadership, advocacy, and commitment to building a more inclusive community.

This year’s honorees are:

• Non-Profit of the Year: DREAMS Foundation of Acadiana

DREAMS Foundation of Acadiana is recognized for their dedication to creating opportunities, building community, and helping individuals with special needs discover their passions through sports, camps, arts, theater, job training, social activities, and community programs.

• Business of the Year: We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym Lafayette 

We Rock the Spectrum is recognized for providing a place for children to grow together. Its inclusive philosophy, uniquely designed sensory equipment, and dedicated team create an environment where children of all ability levels can play together while building strength, social skills, and confidence.

• Youth of the Year: Daniel Vincent

Daniel Vincent, 12, is recognized for his perseverance in regaining his confidence and belief in himself. His twice-exceptionality, or “2e” (a term for an intellectually gifted child who also has one or more disabilities), has led to challenges with anxiety, fear, academics, and confidence. Through it all, Daniel has persevered. With support from Red Oaks Cottage School, along with his hard work and growing independence, Daniel has caught up in his studies and maintained straight As.

• Public Servant of the Year: Stephanie Krielow

Stephanie Krielow has been a vocal advocate for the Lafayette Autism Community for more than 10 years. She has spread autism awareness and information through her Autism 101 classes, and in 2019, she led a march on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol to urge legislators to pass a law requiring cameras in special needs classrooms.

• Lynette Fontenot Community Achievement Award: Dr. Caroline Nawas Jurisich

Dr. Caroline Jurisich found her calling working with students with special needs. In 2014, she was recruited to help build the UL LIFE Program, which gives adults with intellectual disabilities a college experience. Over her years as the program’s director, Caroline grew a small local pilot into a nationally recognized program. In 2023, when she saw that graduates had nowhere to continue learning and connecting, she opened the Quad, Lafayette’s first enrichment center for adults with cognitive disabilities.

• Vickie Nettles Advocacy Award: Lance Pelissier

Lance Pelissier is recognized for his passion for the autism community and his work with the Autism Society of Acadiana. He has even dedicated his birthday wish to encouraging others to donate to the organization, helping further its mission of empowering members of the autism community with the resources they need to live fully.

The DAC extends sincere appreciation to local sponsors and all those who made this morning’s celebration possible through their time, generosity, and continued support of the disability community.

“Accessibility and inclusion are necessary for people with disabilities to participate fully in the world,” says Disability Awareness Coordinator Harlon Cowsar. “The individuals, organizations, and businesses who are nominated for Lafayette Disability Awareness Awards are the ones who have committed themselves to doing that work. We honor them for never accepting that anything is impossible, and we celebrate them for making us all recognize what is inevitable.” 

The Lafayette Mayor-President’s Awareness Committee for Citizens with Disabilities promotes accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunity throughout Lafayette Parish. For more information or to get involved, visit lafayettela.gov/dac or contact Harlon Cowsar, Disability Awareness Coordinator, at disability@lafayettela.gov or 337-291-8300.

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