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2027 disABILITY Impact Awards

dLCV (the disAbility Law Center of Virginia) seeks to award individuals or organizations from across the Commonwealth of Virginia who have risen to the challenge of supporting, advocating for and championing individuals with disabilities. If you know of a person or organization who has demonstrated the ability to adjust, adapt and excel in the areas of direct support services or disability advocacy, they are likely an excellent candidate for our impact awards! Keep reading for more information on the process, timeline, and eligibility of nominees. This year, we will also be honoring our legacy Darrel Tillar Mason Awardee during the Impact Awards!

All nominations are due by Monday, March 1, 2027.

Eligibility and Nominations:

Who is eligible? Individuals or organizations who:

  • Provided direct services for individuals with disabilities
  • Demonstrated skill and dedication in the realm of disability advocacy
  • Used their lived experience to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities
  • Conducted this work in 2025 or 2026
  • Are located within the Commonwealth of Virginia

Examples of individuals or organizations to consider:

  • A special education professional who continually perseveres in their advocacy for students with disabilities
  • An organization who provided cost-effective ways to serve people with disabilities, despite new and challenging accessibility issues present in our society
  • An individual with lived experience with disability who creatively problem-solved for themselves or others in a way that could serve as a model for other individuals with disabilities
  • An organization that works to fill in gaps in services, supports or resources for people with disabilities

Nominations are due no later than March 1, 2027, at 11:59 pm.

Selection Process and Acknowledgement:

Nominees will be informed of their nomination during the Spring of 2027 and asked to RSVP to the online Impact Awards Ceremony. The ceremony will take place in the Spring of 2027.  The event will be held virtually, live on Zoom, and later shared on our YouTube page. All nominees will be recognized at the ceremony and awardees will be given a brief opportunity to speak on their work. Award recipients will be selected by a committee of dLCV staff & board members, based on a developed rubric of criteria. Awardees will be notified in advance of their award.

2027 Darrel Tillar Mason Award

In 2027, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) will honor an individual whose work has promoted equal rights and self-determination for  Virginia’s disability community. Advocates, coaches, mentors, special education professionals, professors, direct service professionals and self-advocates are all worth contemplating for nomination.

The Darrel Tillar Mason Excellence in Advocacy Award is named in honor of a notable and longstanding advocate for people with disabilities. In past years, we have been able to present this in recognition of the amazing advocacy work done with and on behalf of people with disabilities all across the Commonwealth. You can read more about Darrel Tillar Mason’s work here.

We especially seek a nominee whose efforts towards inclusion support the principles embodied in the mission of the dLCV:

to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation.

Eligibility and Nominations:

A nominee for dLCV’s Darrel Tillar Mason Excellence in Advocacy Award should have demonstrated effective support of the principles embodied in the mission of the dLCV by their advocacy. The nominator should specify which aspects of the dLCV’s mission have been the focus of the nominee’s advocacy.

The selection committee recognizes the importance of a family member’s tireless advocacy for his or her family member with a disability. Likewise, we recognize the importance of dedicated workers employed by agencies, companies, or organizations who faithfully serve individuals with disabilities. We also recognize there are many people with disabilities who serve as mentors, coaches, and self-advocates. However, we are seeking to bestow this award on an individual who has gone beyond doing a great job for a family member or an employer. The committee is interested in honoring an individual whose advocacy or representation has had an impact on the larger disability community, which can include the nominated person.

Nominees could be advocates, coaches, mentors, special education professionals, professors, direct service professionals, nonprofit employees, lawyers, judges, legislators or self-advocates. Self-advocates are individuals with disabilities who use their own stories and lived experience to shape a larger part of the disability rights or pride movement. Alternatively, the desired impact could be related to local, state or national volunteer initiatives that provide services to individuals with disabilities or raise the public’s awareness of the need for new, additional, or improved services for the disability community.

There are those who make changes so people with disabilities have the independence to participate fully in their own communities. Another impact could be related to local, state, or national policies or regulation – support of, or opposition to. For example, an elected official who championed a policy or regulation benefitting the disability community or defeated one that did not may make an excellent nominee. A lobbyist who educated elected officials and motivated the introduction of the positive policy or regulation could be nominated, as well. A private citizen who utilized community organizing strategies to encourage public support for the policy or regulation would also be a worthy nominee.

  • Volunteer, personal efforts, and paid work are all eligible endeavors.
  • The selection committee will give favorable consideration to advocacy over a sustained period.
  • We are looking to support individuals, not businesses, governments, or non-profits, for this particular award.
  • Nominees must be nominated for their impact in Virginia.
Selection Process and Acknowledgement:

Nominees will be informed of their nomination during the Spring of 2027 and asked to RSVP to the online Impact Awards Ceremony. The ceremony will take place in the Spring of 2027. The event will be held virtually, live on Zoom, and later shared on our YouTube page. All nominees will be recognized at the ceremony and awardees will be given a brief opportunity to speak on their work. Award recipients will be selected by a committee of dLCV staff & board members, based on a developed rubric of criteria. Awardees will be notified in advance of their award.

Nomination Form

Your Information

Your First and Last Name:(Required)

Nominee Information

First and Last Name (or Organization Name)
Not required, but if an Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter link is available, please share!
Not required. Use this is a second submission spot if more than one type of account is available.
Region of Virginia in which the nominated individual or organization served people with disabilities in 2024 or 2025:(Required)
Please check all that apply

Thank you for helping us elevate individuals and organizations advancing access, inclusion, and justice. Please click Submit below to finalize your nomination.

2026 Award Winners

Dr. Andrea Banks

Recognized for her leadership and commitment to person-centered support that empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live with dignity, independence, and meaningful community inclusion.

Recognized for her leadership and commitment to person-centered support that empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live with dignity, independence, and meaningful community inclusion.

Dustin Wright

Recognized for expanding access to mental health care, behavioral health education, and crisis intervention training through clinical practice, teaching, and community outreach.

Recognized for expanding access to mental health care, behavioral health education, and crisis intervention training through clinical practice, teaching, and community outreach.

Eileen Shaffer

Honored for her advocacy and leadership supporting individuals with disabilities and their families through community education, resource navigation, and outreach initiatives.

Honored for her advocacy and leadership supporting individuals with disabilities and their families through community education, resource navigation, and outreach initiatives.

Jeniece Perkins

Recognized for empowering youth and adults with disabilities through mentorship, independent living support, and self-advocacy education.

Recognized for empowering youth and adults with disabilities through mentorship, independent living support, and self-advocacy education.

Irra Kala

Honored for developing “Brainee,” an innovative brain-controlled wheelchair concept designed to increase accessibility and independence for individuals with mobility disabilities.

Honored for developing “Brainee,” an innovative brain-controlled wheelchair concept designed to increase accessibility and independence for individuals with mobility disabilities.

Stephanie Ellsworth-Cofield

Honored for her volunteer service and advocacy efforts supporting individuals with disabilities through legislative advocacy, accessibility initiatives, and community outreach.

Honored for her volunteer service and advocacy efforts supporting individuals with disabilities through legislative advocacy, accessibility initiatives, and community outreach.

Delegate Leslie Mehta

Honored for sponsoring legislation to strengthen emergency preparedness and CPR readiness for providers serving individuals with developmental disabilities.

Honored for sponsoring legislation to strengthen emergency preparedness and CPR readiness for providers serving individuals with developmental disabilities.

Delegate Holly Seibold

Recognized for her advocacy and leadership in advancing protections and accountability measures for individuals with developmental disabilities across Virginia.

Recognized for her advocacy and leadership in advancing protections and accountability measures for individuals with developmental disabilities across Virginia.

Sportable

Honored for creating inclusive adaptive sports and wellness opportunities that empower hundreds of athletes with disabilities across Virginia each year.

Honored for creating inclusive adaptive sports and wellness opportunities that empower hundreds of athletes with disabilities across Virginia each year.

HOME

Recognized for advancing fair housing rights and expanding accessibility and inclusion through advocacy, enforcement, and statewide education efforts.

Recognized for advancing fair housing rights and expanding accessibility and inclusion through advocacy, enforcement, and statewide education efforts.