History of the Award

Since 1998, the American Bar Association Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law has been pleased to present the Paul G. Hearne Award for Disability Rights. Each year, an award is presented to an individual who or an organization that has performed exemplary service in furthering the rights, dignity, and access to justice for people with disabilities. Paul G. Hearne, the award’s namesake, was an activist, philanthropist, and a leader for all people with disabilities. Hearne was a pioneer in advancing the cause of the disabled. Hearne helped create opportunities for himself through his tenacity, intelligence and initiative. He served as the director of Just One Break, Inc., the nation’s first private job placement agency for people with disabilities; the National Council on Disability; the Dole Foundation for Employment of People with Disabilities; the International Center for the Disabled; the Very Special Arts International Fund; and the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation.

The Commission awards this prestigious honor to one who carries on Hearne’s vision and life work.  The award will be presented at the ABA’s 2008 Annual Meeting in New York, NY by the ABA President. Starbucks, the corporate sponsor of the Hearne Award, will give the recipient a $1,000 honorarium and pay for the recipient’s travel expenses to New York City.

Join us in recognizing outstanding public service to some of the 54 million Americans with disabilities

• Click here for the nomination form

 

Current Recipient

The 2008 Award will be given to Lester T. Pritchard, a disability rights advocate and mentor who was born with cerebral palsy. While working in the disability rights field for more than 33 years, Lester has embraced a vision for individuals with disabilities, namely that they are to live independent lives that are meaningful and purposeful. This philosophy was evident early on in his career, as Lester worked to gain physical access to businesses, public accommodations and residencies in Urbana, Ill. In 1997, he cofounded Citizens for Housing Options Meeting Equity Standards, which helped pass one of the nation’s first ordnances that require publicly funded buildings to be accessible to individuals with developmental disabilities. He also co-founded the Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois, a grassroots organization that promotes the rights and independence of individuals with disabilities. Lester will be given the award at the Commission's Annual Meeting Award Ceremony and Reception.

 

Past Recipients

1999	James W. Ellis
2000	Mary Lou Breslin & Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF)
2001	Stanley S. Herr *
2002	Robert Perske
2003	Disability Rights Advocate, Inc. (DRA)
2004	Anil Lewis
2005	The Honorable Rhonda J. Brown
2006	Louise A. McKown
2007	Laura Cooper-Fenimore
2008	Lester T. Pritchard

*deceased

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For any questions about the award, please contact:

William J. Phelan, IV, Esq.
Special Projects & Technology Coordinator
Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law
American Bar Association
740 15th Street, N.W., 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
phelanw@staff.abanet.org
202-662-1576
202-662-1032 (fax)