Nominations are now being sought for the 2021 Coppler Disability Awareness Award.
The annual Ray Coppler Disability Awareness Award reflects the mission and vision of the Department for Disability Access and Advising (D2A2). This includes D2A2's mission to enhance theinclusion of IUP's students with disabilities, and the vision of a university that exceeds accessibility complianceone that enhances the integration and success of persons with disabilities, and a campus-wide culture of access.
Selection Criteria
The Coppler Award honors and gives recognition to an IUP student(undergraduate or graduate) who has displayed exemplary and creative contributions within the past academic year (beyond the requisites of their major) toward disability awareness, advocacy, accessibility, support, and/or education. Special consideration will be given to students whose efforts have impacted the inclusion of people with disabilities within the IUP community.
Examples of exemplary contributions could include, but are not limited to:
- Significant involvement in organizations that foster disability awareness;
- Development or coordination of disability awareness events and programs;
- Advocacy for individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence and inclusion;
- Promotion of disability inclusion in student research;
- Use of one's time, talents, or resources to improve access or the quality of campus life and learning for people with disabilities;
- Development of unique opportunities and experiences for individuals with disabilities;
- Promotion of awareness and understanding of disability-related issues;
- Removal of barriers (physical, social, academic, etc.) to create greater accessibility;
- Etc.
(A list of past years' recipients can be found at Coppler Award Recipients.
This year's award will be presented in late April 2021 during the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society's spring ceremony.
The nomination form can be completed online at Coppler Award nomination form.