About the Community Building Awards

This award honors a family member who has worked hard to improve the lives of people with I/DD.

Nominees must:

• Be a family member of a person with I/DD. Lead or support advocacy work on the local, county, state, or federal level.
• Go “above and beyond” what is expected.
• Help improve areas such as:
  – Education
  – Employment
  – Transportation
  – Housing
  – Other related areas
• Involvement in community service or volunteer work is welcome, but not required.

Additional Information Needed for this Award

Please describe:

1. The nominee’s advocacy work in at least one of the listed area(s) on the local, county, state, or federal level.
2. How they have shown leadership and creativity while advocating for individuals and families.
3. How they have shown kindness, honesty, and strong values.
4. Their volunteer work or community service.

This is NJCDD’s highest honor. It recognizes someone who has spent many years making communities more inclusive. This award may be given after someone has passed away.

Nominees must:

• Have a lifelong commitment and dedication to creating inclusive communities.
• Have made a lasting impact.
• Be a role model for people with I/DD and their families, as well as professionals in community building.

Additional Information Needed for this Award

1. Please attach the nominee’s resume or biography, which should include:
   • their work history;
   • service at the local, county, state or federal level;
   • awards received;
   • publications; and
   • service to grassroots or professional organizations.
2. Please describe why you think they are a role model for people with I/DD, their families, and people involved in community building.
3. Please describe how they have shown dedication and commitment to inclusive communities.

This award honors a person or organization that has created real systems change and improved the lives of people with I/DD and their families.

Nominees must:

• Have made real change in systems at the local, county, state, or federal levels in one or more of the following areas:
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Transportation
  • Housing
  • Health Care
  • Child Care Services
  • Self-Direction and Personal Choice

Additional Information Needed for this Award

Please describe:

1. The changes the nominee made.
2. How those changes helped people with I/DD and their families.
3. How the nominee has shown leadership and creativity while advocating for individuals and families.
4. How they have shown kindness, honesty, and strong values.

This award honors businesses that go beyond what the law requires to make their space welcoming and accessible.

Nominees must:

• Go “above and beyond” expectations to improve accessibility, including providing:
  • Easy building access
  • Flexible seating
  • Staff trained to assist customers with disabilities
  • Large, clear signs
  • One-on-one help for customers

Additional Information Needed for this Award

Please describe:

1. How the business supports accessibility.
2. How it goes “above and beyond” what is expected.

This award honors an elected official who has improved the lives of people with I/DD through laws or public policy.

Nominees must:

• Be a local, county, or state elected official.
• Show strong leadership and action to improve inclusion in their community or state.

Additional Information Needed for this Award

Please describe:

1. The nominee’s title/elected role.
2. What they did to promote inclusion.
3. How their work addresses important issues for people with I/DD and their families.
4. The positive outcomes of their efforts.

The Multi-Media Award honors media professionals who fairly and accurately represent people with I/DD.

Entries will be judged by a panel made up of members of the awards committee and communications professionals on the following:

• Journalistic quality: Displaying creativity and originality while building public understanding of people with I/DD; using respectful, person-first language; and maintaining high journalistic
  and technical standards.
• Understanding of people with disabilities: Demonstrates the accomplishments and contributions of people with I/DD; recognizes the needs and preferences of people with I/DD; positively portrays individuals with I/DD as valued citizens living full, productive lives.
• Depth and continuity of coverage: Topics apply to the full spectrum of people with I/DD, even if showcasing one element or issue; demonstrates consistent and accurate reporting that raises public awareness of those issues.

Additional Information Needed for this Award

1. Describe the multi-media piece created by the nominee, including the theme(s)/topic(s).
2. Provide a sample of the media—an article, a news segment, a podcast, etc.—in a universally accessible format.
   • Recordings should be no longer than 60 minutes in length and contain complete programs or series, or a synopsis of a longer series.
     • A script or link is acceptable, if a recording isn’t available.
     • DVDs must be PC compatible

This award honors educators or schools that include students with disabilities in all parts of school life. The goal of the Award is to develop a diverse network of educators who actively embrace the principles of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA).

Nominees must engage in an educational program/practice that:

• Includes students with and without disabilities.
• Is ongoing (not a one-time event).
• Includes general and special education staff.
• Is part of the general education program.
• Works from a strengths-based model.
• Promotes high expectations for children with disabilities.
• Supports long-term success.

Additional Information Needed for this Award

Please describe:

1. The educator or school.
2. The program/practice, including how long it has been in place and how many students with and without Individual Education Plans (IEPs) participate in it.
3. How it promotes inclusion.
4. Available administrative support.

This award honors a leader who protects the rights of people with disabilities, while showing strong, compassionate leadership.

Nominees must:

• Be a leader in their organization.
• Show strong leadership and compassion, while promoting quality
  services and supports for people with I/DD and their families.

Additional Information Needed for this Award

Please describe:

1. The nominee’s leadership role.
2. How they “go above and beyond” what is expected.
3. How they show creativity, compassion, and strong values
   while advocating for individuals with I/DD and their families.