HSC Foundation invites applications for its 2010 Advocates in Disability Award

In an effort to support the next generation of disability advocates, The HSC Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2010 Advocates in Disability Award, which recognizes a young person between the ages of 14 and 26 in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area who is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities.

Applicants will be evaluated on their current and previous work that impacts people with disabilities, as well as their ideas for a new or extended project that would benefit individuals with disabilities.  The winner will receive $10,000, and will use $7,000 of the winnings to implement the project that was outlined in his or her application.

"It's an honor just to read the applications for this award and learn about all of the good works young people are performing throughout our community," said Jessie MacKinnon, Vice President of Program and Partnership Development at The HSC Foundation.  "We're confident that we'll find our next youth advocate who is doing outstanding work to empower people with disabilities, and has the vision and capability of taking his or her work to the next level."

Past winners have achieved a variety of noteworthy accomplishments, from helping wounded Iraq war veterans get the support they need, to eliminating outdated and stigmatizing language from Virginia State code.  Ari Ne'eman, a winner from 2008 who founded a nonprofit organization to change the public perception of autism, was recently nominated by President Barack Obama to the National Council on Disability.

This is the fourth year of the Advocates in Disability Award program, and marks the largest prize to date.  This year's winner will receive $10,000 thanks to the Sarah Beth Coyote Foundation, which is matching the former award amount of $5,000.

Applications will be accepted through March 4, 2010.  The winner will be notified by mid April, and a formal announcement will be made during a reception on June 3, 2010.  Applications can be submitted on HSCF's Web site, at www.hscfoundation.org/2010ADA.php .