Washington, D.C., April 4 – RespectAbility is pleased to announce two new awards in honor of Justin W. Chappell and Steve Bartlett, both key contributors to our work. Nominations for the first-annual awards are open now and will close on May 15. Winners of the awards will receive $1,000 and will be recognized in a ceremony.
Justin W. Chappell
The Justin Chappell Memorial Award honors a former or current Apprentice of the National Leadership Program who demonstrates a strong commitment to the advancement of the disability community in policy, entertainment, or philanthropy. This award honors Justin W. Chappell, who devoted his life to human and disability rights and passed away on September 9, 2021.
Steve Bartlett
The Steve Bartlett Award recognizes and honors an individual in the private or public sector who demonstrates a strong commitment to using the political system to advance public policy in support of people with disabilities. The award recognizes local, state, and national leaders who advocate policies that help to advance opportunities for people with disabilities in different areas including economic growth, educational excellence and achievement, sustainability, workforce and employment, and equity. This award is in honor of Steve Bartlett, former Chairperson of RespectAbility, former member of Congress (1983-1991) and former mayor of Dallas.
“Justin Chappell and Steve Bartlett have made enormous contributions to RespectAbility and the disability community at large,” said Graciano Petersen, RespectAbility’s Senior Director for Training, Culture, and Leadership Development. “We are proud that these awards will recognize others who are just as committed to advocating for people with disabilities.”
Visit RespectAbility’s website to learn about how you can nominate someone or yourself for the Justin Chappell Memorial Award or the Steve Bartlett Award.
RespectAbility is a diverse, disability-led nonprofit that works to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities and advances policies and practices that empower people with disabilities to have a better future.
