ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL. Ill. - Bruce E. Beyer, <a href="http://www.aschq.army.mil/home/index.htm">U.S. Army Sustainment Command</a>, Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., was presented the Army's Outstanding Individual with Disability Award Dec. 4 at the Department of Defense Disability Awards Ceremony and Forum in Bethesda, Md.
Beyer is one of 16 DoD employees from various agencies honored at the ceremony. He earned the award for his contributions as a member of ASC's Logistics Enterprise Integration Team. Beyer played a key role in awarding and managing the Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program contract, under which contractors from the private sector are used to provide a broad range of field services to U.S. and allied forces during combat and training operations.
Beyer has used a wheelchair since 1982, when he fractured his neck in a bicycle accident. He was unable to continue his job as a tool and die maker, so he returned to college and earned a bachelor's degree in computer sciences from St. Ambrose University. He came to work at the Arsenal in October 1988 as an entry-level production analyst.
Beyer is active in raising awareness of people with disabilities. He provides administrative and technical support to his church, and has represented the Arsenal as a peer counselor for students in the Rock Island Milan School District.
Beyer was an instructor in the Arsenal's Windmill Program, which trained managers in the challenges faced by disabled individuals in the workforce. He has also conducted seminars in assistive technology and advocacy for disabled individuals in Rock Island and Scott Counties.
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