Approximately 122,000 adults and children with developmental disabilities live and work in communities across Arizona. The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities believes every person, regardless of ability, has valuable strengths, infinite capacity to learn, and the potential to contribute to our community. To that end, the Committee hosts our annual Disability Awareness Awards to create awareness about developmental disabilities, teach the importance of inclusion within every aspect of life, and share the stories of individuals with a disability to show that a successful life is possible.
Nomination Dates
Open: TBD
Close: TBD
The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities is seeking nominations for the 31st annual Disability Awareness Awards. The Awards recognize deserving individuals in five categories: Student of the Year, Educator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Employee of the Year, and Employer of the Year.
Awards Winners
The annual Disability Awareness Awards recognizes deserving individuals in five categories. Please join us in congratulating our honorees:
2023
- Educator: Rose Escalante
- Volunteer: Austin Rector
- Employer: Jude Walker, Clarendale of Chandler
- Student: Kyler Lister and Freddie Rodriguez
Educational Nominations
Celebrate the contributions of students excelling with disabilities and the educators and volunteers committed to improving their lifelong success. Nominations are accepted for Habilitator/Educator of the Year, Student of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year.
A complete nomination packet includes the official nomination form and supplemental details that describe the specific accomplishments and contributions that qualify the nominee for the award. Award criteria are available below.
This award recognizes an individual who has worked in the field of training or educating people with disabilities.
Criteria:
- Worked in the field of educating or habilitating people with disabilities in Chandler in the last year.
- Involvement of the nominee was in an active role, not as a figurehead.
- Work produced positive changes for individuals with disabilities.
This award is to recognize a student with a disability who has excelled beyond his or her apparent limitations.
Criteria:
- Must be a resident of Chandler (at least one year).
- Must be between the ages of 3 and 22.
- Displayed the courage to learn and grow to his or her fullest potential.
- Demonstrated the willingness to pursue and achieve personal goals despite his or her disability.
This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated consistent and outstanding volunteer service to people with disabilities.
Criteria:
- Contributed a needed service in the community of Chandler in the last year.
- Involvement of the nominee was in an active role, not as a figurehead.
- Amount of time devoted to the activity or service was significant.
- Activity or service provided produced positive changes for individuals with disabilities.
Employment Nominations
Reflecting on the important role different perspectives play in the workforce, the fall Disability Awareness Awards celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and employers and educates the community about the value of an inclusive workforce. Nominate an Employee or Employer of the Year who exemplifies these values.
A complete nomination packet includes the official nomination form and supplemental details that describe the specific accomplishments and contributions that qualify the nominee for the award. Award criteria are available below.
This award recognizes an employee with a disability who has overcome barriers and has excelled in the performance of his or her work. The award is based on the employee’s achievements in the workplace. Criteria:
- Individual must work within the Chandler city limits (at least one year).
- Nominee must have been employed (part-time or full-time) in the last year.
- Nominee must be performing at an average or above-average performance level in his or her place of employment.
- Nominee has demonstrated initiative and commitment in pursuing his or her professional and personal goals.
This award recognizes an employer who has successfully incorporated employees with disabilities into the workplace and business. Any individual, corporation or agency with a record of employment of people with disabilities and who meets the following criteria is eligible.
Criteria:
- At least two years of employing individuals with disabilities.
- Must be a Chandler business or agency.
- Nominee has made reasonable accommodations, provided necessary training, and has made efforts to create an accessible work environment for employees with disabilities.
- Must have employed a person or persons with disabilities in the last year.