DD Acceptance Award Nominations

Please use this form to submit a nomination for the 2026 Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities Awards. It is important that you provide us with as much information as possible about the nominee so we can have all the information to select the most deserving for this year's awards.

Nominations must be submitted no later than 4:00 PM on April 24, 2026. The winners will be announced at our DD Acceptance Luncheon and on our Social Media platforms throughout the month of June.

Award Categories:

Heart of Support: The Heart of Support Award recognizes an extraordinary professional who brings compassion, dedication, and creativity to supporting people with developmental disabilities. Whether serving as an Independent Provider or an agency-employed DSP, this person enriches lives, promotes independence, and inspires everyone around them.

Lasting Legacy: The Lasting Legacy Award recognizes a person who dedicated their life and career to making the world a better place for people with developmental disabilities.  The winner of this award will be someone who has been in the DD field a long time, retired or passed away. Their legacy reflects a deep commitment to independence, inclusion, leadership, mentorship, and creating lasting change.

Inclusive Employer: This award recognizes a community employer who provides meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. This employer goes above and beyond to ensure their employees not only succeed but thrive. Their workplace culture is inclusive, supportive, and innovative.

Individual Spotlight: This award recognizes an individual with a developmental disability who demonstrates determination and a commitment to achieving personal goals. The individual who receives this award demonstrates a drive to be better, a desire to be more independent and wants to make a difference in their life and the lives of others.

Community Partner: This award recognizes an individual, family member, staff person, volunteer or organization that has worked diligently to create partnerships and alliances within our community. This person(s)/organization helps with creating an inclusive culture and environment for everyone to live, work and grow.

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Thank you!