Where industry professionals connect with experts, peers, resources and information to
enhance quality services for individuals with disabilities.
enhance quality services for individuals with disabilities.
INARF 2024 Annual Awards
The INARF Annual Awards Recognition Luncheon is the annual opportunity for INARF Members to publicly recognize their staff, individuals supported, and community partners who embrace individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. On Wednesday, October 10, our tradition continued with the presentation of five Annual Awards during the Luncheon as a way to ‘Treasure the PRESENT, in alignment with this year's Conference theme ‘Honoring the PAST, Treasuring the PRESENT, Shaping the FUTURE’. The Annual Awards Recognition Luncheon featured moving stories captured in video of each recipient's achievements and how their vision of supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities raised the bar of service delivery in Indiana. This distinguished event is available to all INARF 2024 Annual Conference attendees.
Award nominations are now open.
Award nominations are now open.
Award Opportunities
Below are the five Annual Awards to be offered at the Annual Conference with additional information provided on each.
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 to 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. Candidates for this award must:
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 to 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. Candidates for this award must:
- Have utilized 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 intellectual/developmental disability
Keystone Award
The Keystone Award is presented to the most outstanding direct service staff member of an INARF member organization. Qualified candidates manifest, through personal attributes and dedication, the mission of the human service/habilitation industry. Candidates qualifying for this award must currently be employed in the role of front-line direct care such as a Direct Support Professional, Employment Specialist, Behavioral Consultant, etc. and have three (3) years minimum employment. These individuals are:
The Keystone Award is presented to the most outstanding direct service staff member of an INARF member organization. Qualified candidates manifest, through personal attributes and dedication, the mission of the human service/habilitation industry. Candidates qualifying for this award must currently be employed in the role of front-line direct care such as a Direct Support Professional, Employment Specialist, Behavioral Consultant, etc. and have three (3) years minimum employment. These individuals 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. These individuals:
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. These individuals:
- 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 intellectual and development disabilities
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 became INARF's second CEO after Mr. Miller's passing, leading INARF until his retirement in 2012. This award is presented to an outstanding executive/administrator within the INARF membership. The nominees present outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, political acumen, ethical demeanor and professional posture to further the interests of their organization and those of their colleagues across the state. These distinguished individuals:
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 became INARF's second CEO after Mr. Miller's passing, leading INARF until his retirement in 2012. This award is presented to an outstanding executive/administrator within the INARF membership. The nominees present outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, political acumen, ethical demeanor and professional posture to further the interests of their organization and those of their colleagues across the state. These distinguished individuals:
- 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 serving them. Partners may also display dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities through innovative approaches to service delivery and by helping form positive public images of people 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 serving them. Partners may also display dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities through innovative approaches to service delivery and by helping form positive public images of people with disabilities. These contributions may include:
- Donations and fundraising efforts
- Volunteerism
- Public education and public relations
- Employment opportunities for people with disabilities
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