The HSC Foundation Announces Winner of 2010 Advocates in Disability Award

WASHINGTON, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The HSC Foundation (HSCF) is pleased to announce the winner of the 2010 Advocates in Disability Award. The award celebrates individuals ages 14 - 26 who set the standard for the next generation of disability advocates. The $10,000 award will be presented to Lacy Pittman for the development of a contest called, "My Generation: Youth, the ADA and Art."

Lacy Pittman's award-winning entry proposed a way to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. With the money awarded, Pittman will encourage young people, 16 - 24, to demonstrate and interpret the impact the legislation has had on them through paintings, videos, posters, literature and other artistic mediums.

The winner of "My Generation: Youth, the ADA and Art" will be invited to attend and present at the Association of Programs and Rural Independent Living (APRIL) disability conference on October 28, 2010. The artist's work will also be reproduced, distributed and displayed at local Centers for Independent Living around the country.

"As a nonprofit organization we are truly committed to helping youth with disabilities transition to adulthood and the world of work," said Thomas W. Chapman, EdD, MPH, president of The HSC Foundation. "The Americans with Disabilities Act is a landmark piece of legislation and we are honored to support Lacy's concept to involve young people in creatively expressing the impact of the ADA."

Pittman, of Falls Church, VA, is a policy analyst for the National Council on Independent Living. At the council, Pittman advocates for legislation to improve the lives and independence of those with disabilities. She began her work with disabilities at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she facilitated several programs, encouraging career development and employment preparation for those with disabilities.  

"Through my work and experience, I have been truly inspired by how graciously those with physical and mental disabilities have been able to cope and thrive," said Lacy Pittman. "I know that I will also be inspired by my peers and their artistic interpretation to commemorate this monumental legislation."

The 2010 award grant was made possible by the Sarah Beth Coyote Foundation and The HSC Foundation. Past winners of the Advocates in Disability Award have achieved a variety of noteworthy accomplishments, from helping wounded Iraq war veterans get the support they need, to eliminating outdated and stigmatizing language from Virginia State code.  

About The HSC Foundation

The HSC Foundation (HSCF) is dedicated to improving access to services for individuals who face challenging social and health care barriers due to disability and chronic illness.  It puts a particular emphasis on youth, especially those who are transitioning to adulthood.  The HSC Foundation serves as the supporting organization to three healthcare nonprofits. To learn more about The HSC Foundation, visit http://www.hscfoundation.org.

SOURCE The HSC Foundation