Contribute to our Awards Fund!
Donations made on this page will go to future recipients of the Annual Steve Bartlett Award and the Annual Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell Memorial Award.
About the Disability Impact Awards
The Steve Bartlett Award recognizes and honors an individual in the private or public sector who demonstrates a strong commitment to using the political system to advance public policy in support of people with disabilities. The award recognizes local, state, and national leaders who advocate policies that help to advance opportunities for people with disabilities in different areas including economic growth, educational excellence and achievement, sustainability, workforce and employment, and equity. The Steve Bartlett Award is in honor of Steve Bartlett, former Chairperson of Disability Belongs™, former member of Congress (1983-1991), and former mayor of Dallas.
The Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell Memorial Award honors a former or current Fellow of the National Leadership Program who demonstrates a strong commitment to the advancement of the disability community in policy, entertainment, or philanthropy. The Spangenberg-Chappell Memorial Award is in honor of Ben Spangenberg and Justin W. Chappell, who devoted their lives to human and disability rights. Ben Spangenberg passed away September 29, 2023 and Justin Chappell passed away September 9, 2021. This award serves as a lasting tribute to the enduring impact that Spangenberg and Chappell have on the National Leadership Program and the disability community at large.