Court of Appeals Judge Charles Susano received a 2007 Spirit of the Americans With Disabilities Act award during a ceremony in Knoxville. Lillian Burch, executive director of the Knoxville Disability Resource Center, said Susano is "a good example of an individual who has continued working in the community, being a contributing member" in spite of his disability.
Burch described the judge as "an inspiration to other people." He was paralyzed from the chest down in a 1992 accident. Susano's wife, Carolyn, is pictured with him at the Knoxville ceremony.