Mack Marsh to receive award at Abilities Expo in Fort Lauderdale
- The United Spinal Association's StrongWheeled Together Awards ceremony took place on October 19, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Mack Marsh was recognized for his work with Parking Mobility, an initiative focused on educating communities about accessible parking rights.
- The awards highlight significant contributions to disability rights and aim to inspire ongoing advocacy and awareness in American society.
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the United Spinal Association hosted its third annual StrongWheeled Together Awards ceremony on October 19, 2024, during the Abilities Expo at the Broward County Convention Center. The event honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the advocacy of wheelchair users and disability rights in America. Franklin resident Mack Marsh was awarded the inaugural James J. Peters Community Builder Award for founding the Parking Mobility initiative, which empowers communities to combat accessible parking abuse through a user-friendly reporting app. Marsh has been a dedicated advocate for people with disabilities since becoming a quadriplegic in 2001, focusing on employment, accessibility, and emergency preparedness. His Parking Mobility program not only mobilizes community members but also provides educational resources to inform offenders about accessible parking guidelines. The impact of this project has resulted in significant positive change in access and awareness within multiple Texas communities. In addition to Marsh, other awards were given, including the Brooke Ellison Community Visionary Award to Jennifer French, Executive Director of Neurotech Network, and the Barry Corbet Community Voice Award to the co-director of the documentary IMPERFECT. These honors reflect the association’s mission to elevate the voices of individuals with disabilities and challenge societal perceptions. The StrongWheeled Together Awards are part of a broader campaign initiated by United Spinal in 2022, aimed at fostering a new generation of advocacy for disability justice and improving the quality of life for wheelchair users across the nation.