Disability Rights and Resources

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
703-324-7948 TTY 711
Disability Rights and Resources, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 708
Fairfax, VA 22035
Trina Mayhan-Webb
Director

Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards

2024 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards

The Fairfax Area – Disability Services Board’s Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards are presented annually to recognize people, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and other organizations that excel in demonstrating a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in the Fairfax area and how people with disabilities have significantly benefitted from their efforts.

Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion & Equality Award Winners:

  • Join us as we recognize Patricia Beech and Brain Injury Services as the recipients of the 2024 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards.
  • Winners have demonstrated a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or Falls Church.
  • The annual awards ceremony will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Pennino Building, 12011 Government Center Pkwy., Rooms 200/206, Fairfax, VA 22035. Learn more

Three possible award categories: 

  • Individual: Individual whose work has benefited the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.
  • Group: A business, non-profit, or organization that has worked to benefit the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.
  • Self-Advocate: Individual who has been a strong self-advocate or worked to better the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.

Nominees may self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or organization. Awards may or may not be awarded for each category, depending on nominations received. 

Requirements:

  • Demonstration of a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or Falls Church.
  • Demonstration of how people with disabilities have significantly benefitted from their efforts.

How to Nominate a Person or Organization

The nomination form MUST be completed and e-mailed to: disabilityrights@fairfaxcounty.gov BEFORE 5 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024. Please title subject line, “Martha Glennan 2024”. 

Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion & Equality Award Nomination Form (PDF)

The following information is listed on the nomination form:

  1. Nomination for an (Individual) or (Organization) - Circle or Underline One Selection
  2. Name of Individual or Organization Being Nominated:
  3. Type of Organization (if applicable):
    • Nonprofit  
    • Government Agency  
    • Business  
    • Other
       
  4. Contact Information for Individual or Organization Being Nominated:

Name:
Email:
Phone:

  1. Contact Information for the Person who is Nominating the Individual or Organization (if applicable):

Name:
Email:
Phone:

Please tell us about this individual or organization’s demonstrated success promoting full inclusion and equality for people with disabilities to thrive in the community. (Attach other pages as necessary)

Question - Based on your/the nominee's work to date, how do you think it has changed or enhanced, and will change/enhance, opportunities for people with disabilities so that they can actively participate in employment, housing, transportation, political, social and/or recreational opportunities within the community? (Attach other pages if needed)

Nominations must be completed and emailed by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024! 

                                           Email: disabilityrights@fairfaxcounty.gov. Subject line: “Martha Glennan 2024”.                              

Late submissions are ineligible and will NOT be considered by the FA-DSB.


2023 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion & Equality Awards

On December 11, 2023, the Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board presented Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards to Cheryl Johnson, Jeremy Smith, and University Mall Theatres and Cinema Arts Theatre for their commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax and the City of Falls Church.

Penelope A. Gross, Vice Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor James Walkinshaw, Braddock District, and David Simon, chair of the Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board, welcomed everyone and offered congratulations to the winners.

Individual Award Winner, Cheryl Johnson 

Individual Award Winner, Cheryl Johnson
(L-R) David Simon, chair, Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board, Supervisor Penny Gross (Mason), Cheryl Johnson, Supervisor James Walkinshaw (Braddock). 

Cheryl Johnson has been devoted to the disability services field for over 25 years. Since 2006, she has worked at The Arc of Northern Virginia, always with a person-centered focus. Her passion and work continue to lead to more equitable services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Specifically, her work led to an expansion of access to dental care. Since 1998, Cheryl has also served as a companion for an individual with a disability living in a group home.

Self-Advocate Award Winner, Jeremy Smith

Self-Advocate Award Winner, Jeremy Smith
(L-R) David Simon, chair, Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board, Supervisor James Walkinshaw (Braddock), Jeremy Smith, Supervisor Penny Gross (Mason). 

Jeremy Smith is fulfilling his lifelong goal of being a role model and supportive advocate for himself and others with disabilities. In 2016, he graduated from Gallaudet University with a degree in Communication Studies, and he uses social media platforms to build communities. Jeremy serves on the Board of Directors at the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons and is active with the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia. He is currently working on a website with his Deaf Plus Advocate mission, which he is planning to launch in early 2024. 

Group Award Winner, University Mall Theatres and Cinema Arts Theatre

Group Award Winner, University Mall Theatres and Cinema Arts Theatre
(L-R) Supervisor Penny Gross (Mason), Supervisor James Walkinshaw (Braddock), Mark O'Meara, David Simon, chair, Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board.

University Mall Theatres and Cinema Arts Theatre, both owned by Mark O’Meara and managed by Dan Collins, foster an environment where high school students and adults with special needs thrive. They provide students with learning and leadership opportunities and hire individuals with disabilities as theatre staff. The theatres also provide equitable accessible seating, food, and access for community groups, such as group homes and assisted living facilities.

 

The Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board congratulates these winners and thanks everyone who is continuing to support people with disabilities in all aspects of community life!

Fairfax Virtual Assistant