INARF 2025 Annual Awards
The Opening Awards Ceremony will set the tone for the Annual Conference by bringing awareness and recognition to the INARF Annual Award recipients as well as the INARF Leadership Academy - Class of 2025 Graduates.
On Wednesday, October 15, the Conference will kick off with the INARF Opening Awards Ceremony, featuring the presentation of the five INARF Annual Awards. Each recipient's achievements will be captured in a video, highlighting how their vision of supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities has raised the bar of service delivery in Indiana. This annual opportunity allows INARF Members to publicly recognize their staff, individuals they support, and community partners who support individuals with disabilities. It is available to all INARF 2025 Annual Conference attendees and guests of the Award recipients.
The INARF Annual Awards – Call for Nominations will open on May 12.
On Wednesday, October 15, the Conference will kick off with the INARF Opening Awards Ceremony, featuring the presentation of the five INARF Annual Awards. Each recipient's achievements will be captured in a video, highlighting how their vision of supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities has raised the bar of service delivery in Indiana. This annual opportunity allows INARF Members to publicly recognize their staff, individuals they support, and community partners who support individuals with disabilities. It is available to all INARF 2025 Annual Conference attendees and guests of the Award recipients.
The INARF Annual Awards – Call for Nominations will open on May 12.
AWARD OPPORTUNITIES
Justin Dart Jr. Personal Achievement Award
The Justin Dart Jr. Personal Achievement Award is named after Justin Whitlock Dart Jr., an American activist and advocate for people with disabilities. Justin helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and is regarded as the "Godfather of the ADA." This award is presented to an individual participating in services through an INARF member organization and who, like Mr. Dart, has maximized their skills and abilities to achieve their chosen goals. Achievements may include volunteerism, advocacy on behalf of disability issues, and/or upward mobility and dedication to reaching their personal goals. Attributes of the Nominees for this award are:
The Justin Dart Jr. Personal Achievement Award is named after Justin Whitlock Dart Jr., an American activist and advocate for people with disabilities. Justin helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and is regarded as the "Godfather of the ADA." This award is presented to an individual participating in services through an INARF member organization and who, like Mr. Dart, has maximized their skills and abilities to achieve their chosen goals. Achievements may include volunteerism, advocacy on behalf of disability issues, and/or upward mobility and dedication to reaching their personal goals. Attributes of the Nominees for this award are:
- Currently utilizing habilitation and/or rehabilitation services to enhance their independence and quality of life
- Have been involved in services for over two years
- Have a diagnosed disability
Keystone Award
The Keystone Award is presented to the most outstanding direct service staff member of an INARF member organization. Qualified candidates demonstrate, through their personal attributes and dedication, the mission of the human services/habilitation industry. Candidates qualifying for this award must currently be employed in a front-line direct care role, such as a Direct Support Professional, Employment Specialist, or Behavioral Consultant, and have a minimum of three years of employment experience. Attributes of the Nominees for this award are:
The Keystone Award is presented to the most outstanding direct service staff member of an INARF member organization. Qualified candidates demonstrate, through their personal attributes and dedication, the mission of the human services/habilitation industry. Candidates qualifying for this award must currently be employed in a front-line direct care role, such as a Direct Support Professional, Employment Specialist, or Behavioral Consultant, and have a minimum of three years of employment experience. Attributes of the Nominees for this award are:
- The first to employ innovative techniques, enriching the quality of services and thus the quality of life for those they support
- The first to uphold the rights of individuals with disabilities
- The first to accept change and insist that such changes have meaning and purpose
- The first in the hearts of those they support
Pinnacle Award
The Pinnacle Award is presented to an outstanding professional level staff member in a leadership/ management role employed by an INARF member organization. The nominees represent outstanding individual dedication to advocacy, innovation, education, and inspiration, and are recognized for their leadership among others within their organization. Attributes of the Nominees for this award:
The Pinnacle Award is presented to an outstanding professional level staff member in a leadership/ management role employed by an INARF member organization. The nominees represent outstanding individual dedication to advocacy, innovation, education, and inspiration, and are recognized for their leadership among others within their organization. Attributes of the Nominees for this award:
- Are committed to the Mission and Vision of their organization
- Excel at motivating others to make a difference
- Seek opportunities to be creative in approaches to supporting individuals with a disability
James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award
The James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award is named in honor of longtime INARF executive and retired CEO, James M. Hammond III, who devoted over three decades of his life to expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities. Mr. Hammond began his career with INARF in the early days of the organization, working closely with INARF's founder, Costa N. Miller. Mr. Hammond succeeded Mr. Miller as INARF's second CEO, serving in this role until his retirement in 2012. This award is presented to an outstanding executive/administrator within the INARF membership. The nominees demonstrate an outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, political acumen, ethical demeanor, and professional posture, furthering the interests of their organization and those of their colleagues across the state. Attributes of these distinguished Nominees are:
The James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award is named in honor of longtime INARF executive and retired CEO, James M. Hammond III, who devoted over three decades of his life to expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities. Mr. Hammond began his career with INARF in the early days of the organization, working closely with INARF's founder, Costa N. Miller. Mr. Hammond succeeded Mr. Miller as INARF's second CEO, serving in this role until his retirement in 2012. This award is presented to an outstanding executive/administrator within the INARF membership. The nominees demonstrate an outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, political acumen, ethical demeanor, and professional posture, furthering the interests of their organization and those of their colleagues across the state. Attributes of these distinguished Nominees are:
- Diligently stay the course of service delivery
- Develop quality programming using the latest industry innovations and creative use of resources
- Believe in the worth of all individuals of varying abilities, which is manifested through the operations/programming and dedication to the cause.
Partnership Award
The Partnership Award is presented to a community partner (i.e. individual, business, club, educational institution or corporation) making significant contributions to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and the organizations supporting them. Partners may also demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through innovative service delivery approaches and by contributing to the formation of positive public images of individuals with disabilities. These contributions may include:
The Partnership Award is presented to a community partner (i.e. individual, business, club, educational institution or corporation) making significant contributions to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and the organizations supporting them. Partners may also demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through innovative service delivery approaches and by contributing to the formation of positive public images of individuals with disabilities. These contributions may include:
- Donations and fundraising efforts
- Volunteerism
- Public education and public relations
- Employment opportunities for individuals with a disability
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