Annual Awards series recognize global leaders with disabilities who are sparking change worldwide.
The Viscardi Center is launching a call for nominations for the 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards — an international award series recognizing distinguished leaders with disabilities. Recipients will be announced and honored this coming fall.
Now in their tenth year, the Awards spotlight innovators, role models, and mentors in the global disability community who carry on Dr. Viscardi’s legacy through the example of their professional accomplishments and advocacy work. Past recipients have come from diverse and distinguished backgrounds in academia, healthcare, athletics, entertainment, government, law, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. There have been nearly 90 recipients from more than 20 countries recognized to date.
The Henry Viscardi Achievements Awards commemorate the vision of The Viscardi Center’s founder, Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., a disability rights pioneer who himself wore prosthetic legs. Dr. Viscardi served as a disability advisor to eight U.S. presidents and implemented groundbreaking programs that continue to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities.
“Individuals with disabilities are redefining what it means to have a disability in the United States and countries around the world,” said Dr. Chris Rosa, President and CEO of The Viscardi Center. “Recipients of the Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards demonstrate the strength of disability culture, community, and creativity, as well as the diverse thinking and talent that can revolutionize how we all learn, work, and go about our daily lives.”
The 2022 Henry Viscardi Awards Selection Committee welcomes Victoria Arlen, ESPN On-Air Personality and Paralympic Gold Medalist, as its new co-chair. Returning as co-chair for the tenth consecutive year is Sherwood “Woody” Goldberg, Esq., attorney, retired U.S. Army Colonel, and Emeritus Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army. View the full Selection Committee list.
The deadline for submissions is September 9, 2022. Click here to learn more and submit a nomination today.
About The Viscardi Center
Founded by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., who served as disability advisor to eight U.S. Presidents and became one of the world’s leading advocates, The Viscardi Center educates, employs, and empowers people with disabilities. It serves children, adolescents, and adults with a wide variety of disabilities, providing Pre-K through High School education (up to age 21), school-to-work youth transition services, vocational training, career counseling and employment placement, and assistive technology. On a national level, it advances inclusive business cultures through the National Business & Disability Council and connects aspiring entrepreneurs to self-employment success at the National Center for Disability Entrepreneurship. Its Project Accessible Oral Health initiative leads access to quality oral health care for the global disability community.