Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we are most frequently asked about the Heumann-Armstrong Award! Applicants must be students with disabilities in the 6th grade or higher, including higher education, and must be willing to be interviewed on video about their experience with disability and ableism in education. Please use our contact form or email CoelhoCenter @ lls.edu with any questions.
How many awards are there going to be?
We are giving out $1000 awards to six students in the sixth grade and higher, including higher education. We are also going to be selecting ten semi-finalists, also from the sixth grade and higher, who will each receive a $100 gift card.
What is disability?
Disability is complicated! For the purposes of this award, we are going to say that a disability is any physical or mental condition that affects the way someone attends classes, participates in extracurricular activities, or socializes with classmates (our definition is based on the CDC definition, so check it out if you have more questions). https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability.html
That definition is very broad, and that’s on purpose! Disability comes in many forms. For example, Judy Heumann survived polio, and now is a power-wheelchair user. People that use mobility aids like power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, canes, or crutches are considered to have disabilities. Disabilities can also be invisible like Crohn’s disease or epilepsy, or mental like ADHD or anxiety.
Students with disabilities are entitled to accommodations thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Schools often make small adjustments for students with disabilities, to ensure they can still have access to school. This is often done through 504 plans, Individualized Education Plans (also known as IEP’s), or accommodation letters in higher ed. You don’t need to receive accommodations to have a disability, or to be eligible for this award!
That description of disability sounds like me, but I’ve always heard people use other words, like “special education”. Why do you use the word “disability”?
A lot of schools tend to use other words to describe disability. Words like “special needs”, “special education”, “differently abled” or “handi-capable”. We choose to use the word disability because it is the word that best sums up our community, and helps to develop a sense of disability pride and disability identity. Disability isn’t a bad word! There has been a lot of work done by activists like Lawrence Carter-Long in recent years, to get people to say the word disability when discussing disability issues.
We don’t judge any applicants for using the language they feel most comfortable with, but we as an organization use the language of disability.
What is the purpose of this award?
We are giving out six education awards to students with disabilities, in the 6th grade or older, who have experienced and combated ableism in education. Winners of this award will receive a $1000 monetary award, and will have a video interview of themselves published on this platform, as well as through The Coelho Center, discussing their experience combating ableism in education. We will also acknowledge six semi-finalists for the Heumann-Armstrong Award.
What is ableism?
Ableism is discriminating against someone because of their disability, which can take many forms. Judy Heumann wasn’t allowed to attend her local elementary school as a child, because the school said her wheelchair made her a fire hazard. Ableism can also be bullying, isolation, or refusal to provide a student with disability accommodations. Like other forms of discrimination, ableism is very common and shows up in many ways.
What do you mean by combating ableism?
Combating ableism is a difficult thing that people with disabilities do literally every day. Some people organize community meetings and start student groups. Others attempt to get policies changed in their school, college or university. People protest, write blogs, join organizations, form organizations, or work to educate others. Ultimately, existing as a person with a disability is a form of resistance and a way of combating ableism, so I would suggest applying to the award as long as you consider yourself to have a disability.
Do I have to do an interview if I win the award?
Yes, we are requiring all awardees to do an interview about ableism in education. We’re doing this to start a new conversation around ableism and accessibility in education.
Do I have to disclose my disability?
You don’t need to disclose your disability if you don’t feel comfortable! You just need to feel comfortable talking about your experience with disability in education. You don’t need to name your disability if you don’t want to.
Do I need references? Or a resume?
NO! Most education awards use ableist metrics like GPA or resume to select winners, and we are looking to combat that framing of education. We don’t require anything but answers to the questions on our form!
What’s the application process?
We don’t ask too many questions in the application process. We ask some background questions, like your name and pronouns, and questions that will help us contact you later, like your email address. Our main questions are short answer questions on what ableism you’ve experienced in education, and how you’ve combatted ableism in education.
How long are the applications open?
The applications are open from May 15th, 2023, until July 16th, 2023.
Talking is easier for me than writing. Can I do my application through a video?
We do accept video submissions for this award! Make a two minute and 30 second video answering the questions in the application, and add the link in the “Contact Us” form on our website.
How can I submit a video application?
There are two ways you can submit a video application. The first is by uploading the video to YouTube and submitting it through our contact form. When uploading the video, you have the option of making it “unlisted” meaning only those with the link can access it. This would allow the application team to view the application, without the applications being visible to the general public. If this method doesn’t work for you, you can also upload the video to google drive and email your application to equalstudentopportunties @ gmail . com and CoelhoCenter @ lls . edu.
Best of luck to everyone applying!