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THE 2008 PAUL G. HEARNE/AAPD LEADERSHIP AWARDS


THE AWARDS PROGRAM
Up to two people with disabilities, who are emerging as leaders in the cross-disability civil rights movement, will each receive $10,000 to help them continue their progress as leaders. They will also have an opportunity to meet and network with national disability leaders at the AAPD Leadership Gala in Washington, DC in March 2008. U.S. residents with any type of disability are eligible to apply.

SELECTION CRITERIA
An “emerging leader” is defined as someone who has demonstrated leadership qualities in his/her personal and/or professional life, and who is just starting to be recognized at a local, regional or national level. Winners of the 2008 Paul G. Hearne/AAPD Leadership Awards must demonstrate all of the following:

AAPD encourages emerging leaders with disabilities of any age to apply. The 44 previous awardees represent a diverse group of people with disabilities aged 11 to 56. Former honorees have assumed leadership positions in diverse organizations and agencies, including but not limited to the World Institute on Disability, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, the National Council on Independent Living, Access Living, Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered, Mental Disability Rights International, and the U.S. Dept. of Justice. For more information on many of the past awardees and what they have accomplished since receiving this award, visit AAPD’s web site, www.aapd.com and click on the link entitled "Past Paul G. Hearne/AAPD Leadership Award Recipients: Where are They Now."

AAPD HONORS A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
Paul G. Hearne was a strong advocate and visionary leader with a lifelong disability who achieved success as a nonprofit executive, foundation president, federal agency director, and mentor to countless people with disabilities. A passionate advocate for increased employment of people with disabilities, Paul opened doors for thousands through his leadership of Just One Break, an employment agency for people with disabilities in New York City, and The Dole Foundation for Employment of People with Disabilities in Washington, DC.

In addition to sharing his expertise and working as an advocate, Paul also used his wonderful sense of humor and positive outlook on life to “win people over” in many situations.

Until he died in 1998, Paul was consumed with two burning passions: to create a national association to give people with disabilities more consumer power and a stronger public voice, and to cultivate potential leaders to carry on the disability rights movement. Paul achieved his first goal during his lifetime with the 1995 creation of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), now recognized as the largest and fastest growing force for disability empowerment.

The Milbank Foundation for Rehabilitation established The Paul G. Hearne Leadership Awards in 1999 to honor their friend and former board member, and to help realize Paul’s second goal by helping to find and support emerging leaders with disabilities.

In 2000, the administration of the awards program was turned over to AAPD. Funding for the 2008 awards was provided by the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES
To be considered for a Paul G. Hearne/AAPD Leadership Award, a candidate must complete an application which includes a statement of no more than 1000 words that addresses all of the selection criteria, as well as a letter of commitment from his/her mentor or supportive colleague who is prepared to work with the applicant in pursuing his/her leadership goals. Please note that, to avoid conflicts of interest, applications will be rejected if the mentor or supportive colleague is a member of the National Advisory Committee for the award (listed below), or a member of the Board or staff of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), or a relative of any of these individuals. Board and staff are listed on the AAPD website at: www.aapd.com.

National Advisory Committee (NAC)
Day Al-Mohamad, American Psychological Association
Joyce A. Bender, Bender Consulting Services, Inc.
Kelby Brick, Hands On Video Relay Services
Annie Forts, Up Syndrome Foundation
Alison Ashley Hillman, Mental Disability Rights International
The Honorable Lex Frieden, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research
John Register, U.S. Paralympics
Helen Roth, Disability Consultant
James Weisman, NAC Chair; United Spinal Association
Betty Williams, Arc of Indiana

Applicants should be aware that, if they are selected for an award, they will be expected to:

The cash award will be disbursed in two $5,000 payments: the first payment at the Leadership Gala in 2008 and the balance contingent upon successful completion of the requirements at the first-year anniversary of receipt of the award.

Applications may be submitted on paper, via e-mail to aapdhearne@aol.com, by audiocassette, or by videotape. (The text of the audio or video transcript should not exceed the word limit for written submissions.) No faxed applications will be accepted.

All eligible applications will be evaluated by a review team selected by AAPD. The review team will identify semi-finalists who will be asked to participate in phone interviews. The top semi-finalists will be recommended for further evaluation by the National Advisory Committee. The National Advisory Committee will make recommendations to the AAPD Board of Directors, who will ultimately select the winners.

Any person who is a member of the AAPD staff, Board of Directors, National Advisory Committee, or a relative of any such persons, will not be eligible for an award under this program.

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