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​DADD Awards Nominations
 
The following awards are given each year through a nomination process by members and friends of DADD. We encourage anyone to nominate someone whom they believe should be recognized for their work, service, research, and/or leadership in the field of developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Chair and then voted on by the voting members of the DADD Awards Committee.
 
Awards will be presented at the DADD Annual Conference, January 20-22, 2021 in Clearwater, Fl. The deadline for consideration of awards being given at the 2021 DADD Conference is October 1, 2020. Nominees who are selected will be informed by November 1, 2020.
 
To submit a nomination, please complete the Google Form (either through the link provided or by requesting a form) and submit any additional materials to: Angela K Stone-MacDonald, Awards Chair (Angela.Stone@umb.edu). 
All individuals wishing to nominate someone for an award are asked to complete a form that will be made available each year during the call for nominations. 
 
Descriptions of the awards:
   
Teacher of the Year: Teachers may be nominated for this award by their peers, administrators, parents, or other professionals. A letter of nomination should be sent to the Awards Chair. Selection criteria include: (a) Currently teaching full or part-time, (b) Serving students with intellectual disability and/or autism, and (c) Exhibiting exemplary personal and professional skills. The teacher does not have to be a member of DADD, but preference will be given to those nominees who are members.
 
Para-Educator of the Year: Para-educators may be nominated for this award by their peers, teachers, administrators, parents, or other professionals. A letter of nomination should be sent to the Awards Chair. Selection criteria include: (a) Currently working in an educational setting full or part-time, (b) Serving students with intellectual disability and/or autism, and (c) Exemplifying the best in supporting the education of students with autism and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities. Nominees do NOT have to be a member of DADD or CEC.
 
Shriver–Kennedy Student Achievement Award: Presented to a young person up to age 25 who excels in one of the following areas: academics, arts, athletics, community service, employment, extracurricular activities, independent activities, technology, and self-advocacy. Students with an intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, or other developmental disability are eligible for this award.
 
John W. Kidd Subdivision Award: Given for exceptional performance during the past year. Criteria include: (a) Maintaining membership integrity during the previous fiscal year, (b) Engaging in innovative programming, evidenced by plans and performance presented at time of application for award, and (c) Having active participation by members in DADD activities beyond the subdivision level.
 
Burton Blatt Humanitarian Award: Presented to an individual who reflects the ideals of the Division and who has made significant contributions to the field of intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or autism. Criteria for selection include: (a) Exceptional effort and involvement in furthering the cause of persons with intellectual disability, developmental disabilities, and/or autism, and (b) DADD member.
 
Legislative Award: Given to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in the area of legislation. Individuals are eligible for nomination if they have been involved in the development and/or support and/or enactment of legislation designed to meet needs of individuals with intellectual disability, developmental disabilities, and/or autism.
 
Research Award: Presented to an individual who reflects the ideals of the Division and who has made significant contributions to the field of developmental disabilities through research. Selection criteria include: (a) Exceptional effort and involvement in furthering the cause of persons with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and/or autism through research, and (b) DADD member.
 
Tom E. C. Smith Early Career Award: Given to someone who is beginning his/her career and showing promise as a teacher educator. Individuals who finished their doctoral work less than 5 years ago are eligible. These nominees must be contributing to teacher education in a significant way.

​DADD Awards Winners
 
Dolly Gray: Please click here to check out the DADD Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award 

John W. Kidd Subdivision Award: ​
2004: Georgia
2008: Ontario
2013: Ontario
2014: Florida
2016: Arkansas
2020: Arkansas

Burton Blatt Humanitarian Award:
Unknown: Pan Gillet
Unknown: Ed Polloway
Unknown: Jim Patton
Unknown: Tom Smith
Unknown: Dave Smith
Unknown: John Kidd
2002: Scott Sparks
2003: Sharon Kramer
2004: Brenda Smith Myles
2006: Ann & Rub Turnbull
2007: Bob Stodden
2008: Andy Berg
2009:  Barbara Gartin
2010: Nikki Murdick
2012: Tina Dyches
2013: Tom Smith
2014: Brenda Smith Myles
2015: Stan Zucker
2016: Paul Alberto
2017: Stan Zucker
2018: Diane Browder
2019: Dianne Zager
2020: Teresa Taber Doughty
2021: Michael Wehmeyer

Legislative Award: 
2002: Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
2008: Sen. Edward Kennedy
2013: Michael Fasano (FL)
2014: Sen. Tom Harkins (Iowa)
2015: David C. Onley (Ontario, Canada)

​Research Award: 
2013: Stan Zucker, Arizona State University
2014: Diane Browder, UNC at Charlotte
2015: Linda Mechling, UNC at Wilmington
2016: Erik Carter, Vanderbilt University
2017: Emily Bouck, Michigan State University
2018: Kevin Ayres, University of Georgia
2019: Vicki Knight, Vanderbilt University
2020: Juliet Hart Barnett, Arizona State University
2021: Matthew Brock, Ohio State University

Tom E. C. Smith Early Career Award: 
​2015: Jason Travers, University of Kansas
2016: Jordan Shurr, Central Michigan University
2017: Carly Roberts, Washington State University
2018: Melissa Spence, California Lutheran University
2019: Jenny Root, Florida State University
2021: Suzanne Kucharzyk, University of Arkansas

Teacher of the Year: 
2019: Barbara Putnam
2021: Srinivas Pannela

Para-Educator of the Year: ​
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​Shriver–Kennedy Student Achievement Award: ​
2011: Jordan Obrecht
2014: Eric Kirschner
2020: Michael Johnson
2021: Scott Fisher