On July 11, the nonprofit group RespectAbility will host its third annual Incapacity Influence Awards in Washington D.C., honoring incapacity activist Lex Frieden and the world’s first Black deaf and blind journalist, Steven McCoy.
The awards can be held at Okay & L Gates LLP, positioned at 1601 Okay St NW # 1, Washington, DC 20006. The varied, disability-led group works to create systemic change in how society views and values folks with disabilities, whereas additionally advancing insurance policies and practices that empower folks with disabilities to have a greater future.
Frieden, one of many chief architects of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (ADA), will obtain the 2024 Steve Bartlett Award, named after the Honorable Steve Bartlett, who served within the U.S. Home of Representatives and was a principal co-author of the ADA. The award acknowledges and honors a person within the personal or public sector who demonstrates a robust dedication to utilizing the political system to advance public coverage in assist of individuals with disabilities.
Frieden is a quadriplegic as a consequence of a spinal twine damage, and he has had a protracted profession of advocacy for disabled folks. Frieden has beforehand served because the cchairperson and the manager director of the Nationwide Council on Incapacity, a member of the United Nations Panel of Consultants on the Customary Guidelines for Incapacity, and President of Rehabilitation Worldwide.
“By way of his work, Steve Bartlett has created alternatives for hundreds of thousands of individuals with disabilities,” mentioned Frieden. “I’m most honored to obtain this honor in his title.”
McCoy has been residing with Usher Syndrome, which impacts his listening to and sight, since 2019. He’ll obtain The Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell Memorial Award, which honors a former or present Fellow of RespectAbility’s Nationwide Management Program who demonstrates a stable dedication to advancing the incapacity neighborhood in coverage, leisure, or philanthropy.
With a deep ardour for the humanities, McCoy has coated quite a few red-carpet occasions, bringing his distinctive perspective and persona to his work. He’s additionally the host of the favored podcast, “Periods with Steven,” the place he engages in private interviews with media and public figures, sharing their tales and insights.
As he continued to develop in his profession, he realized that whereas asking for lodging, there was nonetheless an absence of accessibility. This led him to launch his nonprofit Spoken Heroes, which strives to empower people with disabilities and create a extra inclusive society. By way of varied initiatives and packages, Spoken Heroes gives assist, sources, and advocacy for the Deaf and blind communities, making a optimistic influence on the lives of many.
“Being acknowledged within the footsteps of Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell is actually humbling,” mentioned Steven McCoy. “I hope to proceed their legacy by striving for optimistic change and empowerment throughout the incapacity neighborhood.”
Ariel Simms, president and CEO of RespectAbility, mentioned that Frieden and McCoy’s work continues to encourage us and newer generations of advocates to maintain going till each particular person with a incapacity actually belongs.”
These concerned about attending the 2024 Incapacity Influence Awards, beginning at 5:30 p.m., should buy tickets here. Those that are unable to attend the ceremony can nonetheless assist RespectAbility and leaders with disabilities by donating here.
