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Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards

Martha Glennan Award logo vertical

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.

Do you know an individual or organization that excels in providing equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in the Fairfax area? Nominate them for the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board’s 2023 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Award!

Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion & Equality Award Winners Will Be:

Honored for demonstrating a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or Falls Church.
Presented at an annual awards ceremony on Monday, December 11, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Pennino Building, 12011 Government Center Pkwy., Rooms 200/206, Fairfax, VA 22035. View event flyer.

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 20, 2023. Please title subject line, “Martha Glennan 2023”.

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

The following information is listed on the nomination form:

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

Name:
Email:
Phone:

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 20, 2023!

Email: disabilityrights@fairfaxcounty.gov. Subject line: “Martha Glennan 2023”.

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

2022 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion & Equality Awards

On December 12, 2022, Stephanie Davidson and Marian Homes, Inc. were recognized 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.

Jeffrey C. McKay, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Deborah Hammer, chair of the Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board welcomed everyone and offered congratulations to the winners.

Individual Award Winner: Stephanie Davidson

Deborah Hammer, chair, Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board, Stephanie Davidson, Langley Residential Support Services, Supervisor James Walkinshaw (Braddock).

Stephanie Davidson is the director of residential services at Langley Residential Support Services (LRSS) and for thirty years she has advocated fiercely for the rights of people with developmental disabilities. Her creative solutions to challenges have been shown to improve the inclusion, equality, and outcomes of hundreds of LRSS residents and program participants. Davidson treats each individual like family and ensures that each person enjoys life and achieves his/her own personal goals at the pace that works for him/her.

The key to Davidson’s success is her ability to listen to the adults in her care and accordingly, have their trust. She is committed to defending the rights of people with developmental disabilities and always ensures that the rights of the individual come first. Davidson has navigated many challenging situations in her thirty years, but through her steadfast approach to always asking if the resolution will improve the inclusion, equality, and outcomes for the individual, the best decisions have been made with the best interests of LRSS residents and community support participants in mind. Her everyday work ensures that the voices of people in the LRSS community are heard and valued. Davidson’s work contributes to improving the lives of people in the larger Fairfax disability community.

Organization Award Winner: Marian Homes, Inc.

Deborah Hammer, chair, Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board, along with representatives from Marian Homes, Inc., Bill Crowder, past president, Ercole Barone, past president, Tom Savage, vice president, Paul Wilkinson, board member, and Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw (Braddock). — Deborah Hammer, chair, Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board, along with representatives from Marian Homes, Inc., Bill Crowder, past president, Ercole Barone, past president, Tom Savage, vice president, Paul Wilkinson, board member, and Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw (Braddock)

Marian Homes, Inc. is a non-profit organization created to address the need for group homes in Fairfax County for adults with intellectual disabilities living at home with aging parents and families without adequate resources to care for their loved ones. The great need for additional community-based housing options for adults with intellectual disabilities to live independently in the community inspires Marian Homes, Inc. to own and maintain houses used as group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Marian Homes, Inc. has successfully purchased and remodeled eight affordable homes in Fairfax County. These homes enable adults with intellectual disabilities to live independently with others once their parents can no longer care for them. Marian Homes, Inc. promotes personal growth in a group home setting and reinforces that adults with intellectual disabilities can live productive lives, working, and contributing to society.

Marian Homes, Inc. provides aging parents with peace of mind about their children’s futures and, approximately forty individuals with intellectual disabilities have benefitted from the group housing offered through Marian Homes, Inc.

The FA-DSB congratulates the winners and thanks everyone who is continuing to support people with disabilities in all aspects of community life!