AWARDS

The Arc's Advocacy Matters! Award

The Arc is seeking nominations for its 2010 Advocacy Matters! Award. The 2010 Advocacy Matters! Award is being presented in honor of the late Lorraine Sheehan.  Lorraine spent her life advancing the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on a local and national level.  She was a champion for her son, John, and worked tirelessly to create opportunities in education and community living for all.  Read more about Lorraine and nominate someone for this award who exemplifies the spirit of her advocacy work.  Applications are due by August 13, 2010.

This award honors an advocate, or group of advocates, who achieved a significant advocacy victory in the past two years that improved life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or their families. The award recognizes advocacy that promotes and protects the civil and human rights of people with disabilities or that increases resources, services and supports that promote their full inclusion and participation in community life. 

While the victory must have been achieved in the past 2 years (2008-2010) at the national, state or local level, the work leading to that outcome may have been progressing over multiple years and may have involved a broad range of advocacy strategies and techniques, such as community organizing, lobbying, public education, media relations or litigation. 

The award is open to individuals or organizations working under the banner of The Arc or as part of a coalition in which The Arc’s role was visible and prominent. 

To nominate a worthy candidate for this prestigious recognition, please submit the following information by August 13, 2010 (click here to access the nomination form).

Criteria:
The following criteria will be applied in selecting the awardee:

  1.  
    1. Importance of the advocacy victory.
    2. Difficulty of making it happen
    3. Leadership and participation by people with disabilities.
    4. Leadership and participation by family members or people with disabilities.
    5. Inclusiveness
    6. Possibility of applying the same strategy in other places.

Requirements for Nomination
To nominate a worthy advocacy effort for national recognition, please submit the following information by August 13, 2010:

  1.  
    1. Name, address, phone number and e-mail address of nominator and length and extent of relationship with nominee/s.
    2. Name, address, phone number and e-mail address of nominee/s or lead organization.
    3. A description of the advocacy conducted by the nominee/organization that addresses the criteria, listed above. (No more than 5 pages).
    4. A description of the individual(s) or organization that led the advocacy effort, including general information about the nominee’s work to effect positive change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
    5. For individual nominees, a brief biographical statement, resume or similar information.
    6. For organizational nominees, a brief description of the mission and current programs and activities of the organization.

Presentation of the Award
The Arc will honor the 2010 Advocacy Matters Award recipient with presentation of the award during The Arc’s 2010 National Convention in Orlando, FL.  The award recipient will receive the following:

  1.  
    1. An expense-paid (including Convention Registration) trip to be presented with the award at The Arc’s 60th National Convention.
    2. A grant of $1,000 to a chapter of The Arc designated by the award recipient.
    3. An awards plaque.

Responsibilities of the Award Recipient
The award recipient will be responsible to:

  1.  
    1. Cooperate with The Arc’s staff in creation and distribution of public announcements, press releases, e-newsletter articles, website content or other material relevant to publicizing the award.
    2. Prepare and present a breakout session about the advocacy campaign at the 2010 National Convention.
    3. Present a webinar session, with the assistance of The Arc staff, about the advocacy campaign on two occasions on dates and times to be agreed upon.
    4. Cooperate with The Arc’s staff in adapting and documents or information generated as part of the advocacy campaign for use by other chapters of The Arc.
    5. Be available to present the regarding advocacy process and results, upon request, at annual meetings or events sponsored by state chapters of The Arc on a minimum of two occasions on dates and times to be agreed upon. Travel costs to be paid by the sponsoring organization.

NOTE: The recipient must adhere to The Arc’s preference for using people-first language in all application materials and when presenting at Convention.

Nominations are due no later than August 13, 2010.  Please submit your application electronically by clicking this link and filling out the form.  If you have any questions regarding the application process, contact Laurie Ertz 202-534-3708.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE NOMINATION FOR THE ARC'S ADVOCACY MATTERS! AWARD