ADA Applicants:
• ADA Applicants should be the following:
- Between the ages of 14 and 26.
- A person with a disability.
- Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
- Not an employee of the HSC Health Care System or a family member/member of its Board of Directors or the National Youth Transitions Collaborative Leadership Council.
- Able to attend the ADA/NYTI Briefing Reception on June 7, 2012 in Washington, DC. For non-Washington DC metropolitan residents, travel and lodging will be covered by The HSC Foundation. If a personal care attendant (PCA) is required for physical assistance, travel and lodging for the PCA are covered as well.

• Those who applied in previous years -- as well as semi-finalists – are eligible and encouraged to apply for this year’s award.
• Previous ADA recipients are not eligible to apply.
• For those applicants who are paid advocates for individuals with disabilities, your essay detailing your current/previous work that impacts/impacted the lives of individuals with disabilities should discuss your unpaid work and/or what work you are doing that is above and beyond your paid position that impacts/impacted the lives of people with disabilities.

ADA Application:
• Letters of reference or support should discuss the applicant’s current/past work that impacts/impacted the lives of individuals with disabilities as well as discuss the applicant’s ability to execute his or her proposed project.
• A partnership letter should state that the organization is aware of the applicant’s proposed project and is prepared to work in partnership with the applicant, if he or she is selected to receive the award.

Proposed Project:
• A proposed project should be led and executed by the applicant.
• If a proposed project involves a partnership with an organization to implement the project, the applicant should still lead the project.
• A proposed project that focuses on serving and empowering individuals with disabilities is given preference.
• A proposed project that has defined and/or measurable outcomes is given preference.
• For an applicant that is also a paid advocate for individuals with disabilities, a proposed project that partners with your employer is discouraged.

Payment/Tax Liability:
• The ADA recipient will receive the $3,000 cash award at the ADA/NYTI Briefing Reception on June 7, 2012.
• The ADA recipient is responsible for any tax liability incurred from receipt of the $3,000 cash award. The recipient is not responsible for the tax liability associated with the up to $7,000 in project funding support.

Other Important Information:
• Applications must be received by February 28th at 5 p.m. EST if submitted via the internet or postmarked by February 28th if submitted via United States Postal Service.
• Phone interviews will be conducted, with those selected as semi-finalists, during the week of April 2th. Those selected as semi-finalists are expected to answer questions about themselves and their proposed project, as well as provide a projected budget for their proposed project.
• The ADA/NYTI Briefing Reception will be held on June 7, 2012.