Personalized Disability Resources | Disability Network Lakeshore

April, 2025

Celebrating a Community Without Barriers Regardless of Ability.

The Ability Award is one of many ways we advance our mission and these priorities by honoring those on the Lakeshore who persist in the vision of communities without barriers.

Since its inception in 2011, the Ability Award has recognized over 100 nominees from our Lakeshore communities. Their work and impact stretches back more than 50 years. Their contributions include development of key supports such as transit systems, world-class housing options, deep systems-change advocacy, and much more. Ability Award nominees are indeed the “village” of the truism that “it takes a village.” Our communities are richer because of these continuing contributions.

Nominate

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2025 ABILITY AWARD.

There are 2 ways to nominate someone for Disability Network Lakeshore’s Ability Award. You can complete the nomination form below or download a fillable word doc here. The nomination deadline for the 2025 Ability Award is March 1, 2025.

Please note that current DNL staff and board members are not eligible for nomination.

Nominee Selection Criteria:

LEADERSHIP: Demonstrates ability to motivate, inspire, and empower people or organizations that results in greater engagement and meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities.
ADVOCACY: Demonstrates ability to champion the inclusion and independence of people with disabilities, in partnership with the disability community, through a program, project, or activity that results in systemic, structural, policy, or attitudinal change and increases the capacity of people with disabilities to live self-directed, independent lives.
ENGAGEMENT: Demonstrates understanding for and prioritizes need to ensure that the unique gifts and talents of people with disabilities are fully realized so that people with disabilities feel fulfilled and know that their contribution matters (whether in their job, school, church, volunteer experiences, etc.).
EMPOWERMENT: Creates opportunities for and with people with disabilities to increase independence and participate meaningfully in decision making; encourages people with disabilities to bring their lived experiences, personal autonomy and authority, vision, talents, and enthusiasm; and uses their personal power to open doors for people with disabilities to use theirs.
LOCALE: Lives or works in Allegan or Ottawa counties
DISABILITY: Lives with a disability, has a family member with a disability, or is a friend or ally to the disability community

Ability Award Nomination Form

Nominee's Information

Nominee's Name(Required)

First Last

Nominee's Email(Required)

Nominee's Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Nominee's Phone(Required)

Nominee's area of interest or accomplishment(Required)

Your Information

Your Name(Required)

First Last

Your Email(Required)

Your Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Your Phone(Required)

Best time to reach you?(Required)

In one sentence, describe your reason for nominating this individual:(Required)

In no more than 500 words, please tell the story of the nominee’s efforts and achievements.

How nominee demonstrates qualities of leadership, advocacy, engagement, and empowerment of people with disabilities. How nominee promotes a philosophy of independence, inclusion, and a community without barriers, regardless of ability

History

The Ability Award began in 2011 as a way to honor Disability Network Lakeshore’s Founding Director, Ruth Stegeman, who served in the organization’s leadership for two decades. During her career with Disability Network Lakeshore, Ruth had a strong passion to advocate for inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

The Ability Award was created to honor and perpetuate that spirit by recognizing people in our community who share the same passion and are making progress in the advancement of creating inclusive communities. The Ability Award recognizes leaders in Allegan and Ottawa counties who promote a philosophy of independence and advocate for fully inclusive communities where people with disabilities can participate, contribute, and belong. We hope that recognizing the efforts of all nominees will inspire others to take action.