2026 Derek Smith Leadership Award

for disability inclusion

The Derek Smith Leadership Award for Disability Inclusion recognizes an individual who

• Exemplified dynamic leadership in business disability inclusive employment policies, programs, practices and/or services

• Created measurable, significant, and positive outcomes for their company disability employment programs and/or services

• Dramatically improved disability employment opportunities

Who Can Apply?

● The nominee should be a Wisconsin business, non-profit, or government individual who demonstrates strong leadership in corporate disability-inclusive employment policies, programs, practices, or services.

● The nominee must have developed or influenced the development of significant business disability inclusive employment programs and/or services that resulted in measurable, tangible and positive outcomes that dramatically improved disability inclusive employment opportunities.

● The nominee must have been actively advocating for and advancing inclusive disability employment change for a minimum of three years.

Nomination Information

• Your Name [Nominator] [Name, business, email, contact information]

• Nominated individual’s information [Name, business, email, contact information]

• Business representative to be notified of award [Name, email, contact information]

• Please provide a brief description of the nominee’s major activities that exemplify his/her dynamic leadership in business disability employment programs and/or Services and the length of time he/she has been actively engaged in these activities.

• Include a description of the significant business practice developed or influenced by the nominee.

• If possible, provide measurable outcomes from the nominee’s activities, including supporting statistics.

Submit Nomination

Help us celebrate Wisconsin employers leading the way in disability inclusion.

Nominate an organization that is building more inclusive workplaces, expanding opportunities, and demonstrating meaningful commitment to hiring, retaining, and supporting individuals with disabilities.