United Spinal Honors Leaders at StrongWheeled Together Awards in Fort Lauderdale
- The United Spinal Association hosted the third annual StrongWheeled Together Awards ceremony on October 19, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- This year's awards honored individuals in three categories: Community Builder, Community Visionary, and Community Voice, recognizing their contributions to disability advocacy and representation.
- The event emphasizes the importance of community leadership in advancing the rights and visibility of wheelchair users in American society.
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on October 19, 2024, the United Spinal Association held its third annual StrongWheeled Together Awards ceremony during the Abilities Expo. This event is dedicated to honoring individuals from the wheelchair user community who have made significant contributions to advocacy, representation, and social responsibility within the disability community. The ceremony recognizes outstanding achievements across three categories: the James J. Peters Community Builder Award, Brooke Ellison Community Visionary Award, and Barry Corbet Community Voice Award. The James J. Peters Community Builder Award was given to Mack Marsh, who has been a staunch advocate for disability rights, focusing on employment, accessibility, and emergency preparedness. His work, especially the founding of the Parking Mobility program, demonstrates a commitment to combating accessible parking abuse. The Brooke Ellison Community Visionary Award was awarded to Jennifer French, the Executive Director of Neurotech Network, who is recognized for her innovative contributions to technology and her work aligning with civic engagement ideals. Regan Linton received the Barry Corbet Community Voice Award for her impactful creative endeavors that promote inclusion in the arts. As an accomplished actor and filmmaker, her leadership reflects the importance of authentic representation of people with disabilities in public life. The StrongWheeled Together Awards are part of a larger initiative to elevate the visibility of disability rights within American culture and society. This initiative began in 2022 and aims to invigorate the efforts for disability justice, creating a more inclusive community and advocating for the rights and recognition of disabled individuals.