Do you know someone within the university community who has been dedicated to promoting accommodation and accessibility on campus? We are now accepting nominations for the 2025 Disability Awareness Awards! The deadline to receive submissions for the 2025 awards is Wednesday, Oct. 6.

For the fourth year, as part of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) acknowledgement on campus, the Office of Accommodation and Accessibility Services, in partnership with the Center for Educational Access, is hosting an awards event to acknowledge the contributions of campus community members who have actively worked towards establishing an accessible environment and fostering an attitude aimed at making this a campus that is welcoming to all people who study or work here, who come to visit their alma mater and for those who visit to cheer on the Razorbacks.

These awards serve to underscore the significance of the entire campus community's involvement in advancing accessibility for all employees, students and visitors at the U of A.

Link to awards nomination form.

Awards categories

The J'onnelle Colbert-Diaz Advocate for Accessibility Award: recognizes individuals who have promoted accessibility and/or affected positive changes that have improved accessibility within the campus community to ensure that all individuals enjoy all the benefits of campus life. These advocates work behind the scenes to remove barriers.

Inclusive Education Award: recognizes a faculty member or academic leadership who has contributed to the enhancement of an inclusive educational environment or equitable opportunities for students.

Inclusive Employment Award: recognizes supervisors, managers or department leaders who have worked to hire and retain employees with disabilities and to recognize best practices affecting employees with disabilities within the workplace. This award recognizes the efforts of individuals who have demonstrated leadership in creating an inclusive and welcoming working environment.

Student Advocate Award: recognizes outstanding efforts by an undergraduate or graduate student in raising awareness of the needs individuals with disabilities and building community on campus.

Awards event information

U of A Disability Awareness Recognition Awards, an in-person event, will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Arkansas Union rooms 507-509.

The awards ceremony will open with remarks from Ann Bordelon, executive vice chancellor for finance and administration.

Registration information: Please contact Accommodation & Accessibility Services if you are interested in attending this awards celebration at 479-575-6208 or access@uark.edu.