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Michael Lechner Award: Nomination Requirements

The 2002 Michael Lechner Award will be presented on September 6, 2002 in honor of Michael R. Lechner, former Executive Director of the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns (KCDC).  One award will be given to a Kansan with a disability who has effectively advocated for changes in his or her community to improve the lives of people with disabilities. 

Examples of such changes include improved physical or program access, expansion or enhancement of employment opportunities for people with disabilities, fuller inclusion into the community, accessible parking, improved provision of alternative forms of communication, increased access to adequate health care services, especially powerful legislative advocacy, etc.

Michael Lechner’s advocacy activities had far-reaching results in improving independent living opportunities for Kansans with disabilities.   One of Mike’s most notable successes was in working with the Kansas Legislature to change the Nurse Practice Act to allow personal care attendants to provide certain home care services.  This effort opened the way for the self-directed HCBS waiver programs.  Because of his leadership and the support of advocacy groups around the state, Kansas’ HCBS program is now one of the most progressive in the nation, empowering people with disabilities to direct their own care services and stay in their own homes/communities. Nominations MUST include:

1. A completed award form (Michael Lechner Award Form).
2. Any supporting documentation of the nominee’s accomplishment(s) such as newspaper or newsletter articles.
3. Two letters of support from colleagues or organizations.
4. Nominee’s vita (listing of personal information vital or pertinent to the advocacy activities), including the person’s name, address, telephone number, education (if relevant), employment (if relevant), advocacy activities, affiliation with disability and/or pertinent community organizations. 
   
   ADVOCACY MUST HAVE OCCURRED IN KANSAS AND IMPROVED INDEPENDENT LIVING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE STATE OF KANSAS OR WITHIN A KANSAS COMMUNITY.

Deadline for submission is August 1, 2002.

Please send nominations to KCDC, 1430 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka KS 66612-1877. Questions may be directed to Martha Gabehart at 1-800-295-5232 (voice), 1-877-340-5874 (TTY) or 785-296-0466 (fax).