As independent living coordinator at Advocates for Access, Adam Duvall works to provide learning opportunities and broaden the reach of disability awareness in the Peoria area. In addition to creating and launching marketing initiatives to publicize agency events and services, he developed a comprehensive curriculum encompassing critical life skills for people with disabilities and streamlined the process of training and educating personal assistants. He restarted the agency’s intern program, leading a committee that sought out college students to become part of its mission, and maintains a widely-used housing list to help those in search of accessible and affordable housing in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford and Fulton counties.
Duvall recently completed his sixth year as camp commissioner for the Curley “Boo” Johnson Skills for Life Basketball Academy, where he oversees 700 campers and 100 staff members. He also spent four years as volunteer co-coordinator for the March Madness Experience and has served as a driver for the Chillicothe to Peoria St. Jude runners for the past seven years, helping them maintain proper rest and hydration throughout their 55.4-mile journey, which raised more than $466,000 in 2019.
He is currently serving his second term as secretary for the Independent Sports Club of Central Illinois, where his leadership on the Capital Improvement Grant Committee helped award six local youth sports organizations nearly $12,200 in facility improvement grants this year. He collaborated with professional baseball player Zach McAllister to start “A Night at the Ballpark with Zach McAllister” and the Zach McAllister Baseball Camp, which teaches area youth about baseball and life skills. Over the last three years, the event and camp have raised more than $100,000 for services at Advocates for Access.
Duvall has been a sports reporter for the Peoria Journal Star since 2006 and was a member of the 2016 Illinois Coaches Association Softball Newsperson Hall of Fame class, recognizing his 14 years covering high school softball. PM
