2010 AWARD NOMINATION FORM

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Hearne Award, created in 1999, honors the work of Paul G. Hearne, a lawyer who was born with connective tissue disorder. Although Mr. Hearne’s disease limited his growth to less than four feet, and restricted his movement, he moved mountains. Mr. Hearne’s mark on the disability rights movement, especially from a legal perspective, was tremendous. He founded the first legal services office in New York for people with disabilities, authored the first national legal handbook on disability rights, and helped draft the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The award is to be presented to an individual who has performed exemplary service in the furtherance of access to justice for people with disabilities, or an organization or group that furthers the goal of full participation for people with disabilities in society.

Learn more about the award.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Nominate an individual or an organization that has made significant contributions to furthering the rights, dignity, and access to justice for people with disabilities. Examples of eligible organizations include: (1) disability advocacy organizations; (2) a law firm or law practice; (3) a state or local bar association; (4) a nonprofit legal services program; (5) a law school clinic or academic-affiliated program; or (6) a law-related program providing representation for people with disabilities.

The following individuals and organizations are ineligible:

Self nominations. Therefore, any explanations of the nominee’s qualifications may not be from the nominee.
A current member of the Commission or his or her immediate family members. Previous Commissioners and their family members may be nominated.
Equity partners in the same law firm or organization of a Commission member.

INSTRUCTIONS

All applications require two items:

the nomination form
a description of your nominee's qualifications (no more than three pages) along with a list of your nominee's accomplishments (no more than ten pages)

You can submit these items in one of two ways. First, you can fill out the form below and attach the required description and list document through our online form. If you choose this option, you must place the description of your nominee's qualifications and the listing of your nominee's accomplishments into one file (our system will only allow you to attach one file to your form). Second, you can download the nomination form here:

2010 Paul G. Hearne Award Nomination Form

and mail, fax, or e-mail a completed form to:

The Paul G. Hearne Award
c/o William J. Phelan, IV
American Bar Association
Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law
740 15th Street N.W., 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

fax: 202-442-3439
e-mail: phelanw@staff.abanet.org

Please remember that all documents must be received or postmarked by APRIL 1, 2010. If you submit your documents electronically, make sure all PDFs are accessible and tagged for people who use screen-reading software. MS Word is preferred.

2009 HEARNE AWARD ONLINE NOMINATION FORM

NOMINATOR INFORMATION
First name:
Last name:
Title/Position:
Firm/Organization:
Address Line 1:
Address Line 2:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Daytime phone:
Evening phone:
E-mail:
Co-nominators, as well as letters of recommendation (no more than 2 pages, please) are welcome. Please list anyone who is also nominating, or anyone who is submitting a letter of recommendation:
NOMINEE INFORMATION
First name:
Last name:
Title/Position:
Firm/Organization:
Address Line 1:
Address Line 2:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Daytime phone:
Evening phone:
Approximate length of service to the disability community:
How did you find out about the Hearne Award?
Please upload a MS Word Document containing: 1. A description of your nominee's qualifications, e.g., your nominee’s background and experience (no more than three pages). 2. A listing of your nominee's accomplishments, i.e. why your nominee is deserving of recognition (no more than ten pages).

Any questions can be directed towards:

William J. Phelan, IV
p: 202-662-1576
phelanw@staff.abanet.org