TASH Awards Program

TASH Awards celebrate equity, opportunity and inclusion and are presented each year at the annual conference. 

The Nomintaion process is closed

TASH & 
2007 “TASH / Brookes Publishing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education” Award Nomination – Inaugural Year! 

• Most Promising Inclusive School
• Inclusive Education Advocate of the Year
• Inclusive Education Administrator of the Year
• Inclusive Education Teacher of the Year
• Most Promising Inclusive School District – co-sponsored by the National Institute for Urban School Improvement

Purpose
To honor important and courageous contributions of individuals and school districts in advancing inclusive education and equitable opportunities for students K-12, particularly those with the most significant disabilities and support needs. TASH recognizes that the path to full inclusion can be challenging, depending on the local community, state and local leadership, and other factors.  Our goal is to highlight contributions to progress along the path, and in keeping with recognized quality practices. Selected awardees will set a high standard for innovation and excellence in inclusive education for others to emulate.

Alice H. Hayden Award – This award is presented to a doctoral student enrolled in a program in education or a related field, and who demonstrates potential for leadership in teaching, scholarship, and service on behalf of people with significant disabilities.  The individual needs to have demonstrated a continuing desire in working in partnership with people with disabilities.

The Alice H. Hayden Award was initiated in 1978. The award is in honor of the leadership and inspiration of one of the founding members of TASH, Professor Alice H. Hayden. Dr Hayden was the Founder and Director of the Model Pre-School Center for Handicapped Children, of the University of Washington Child Development and Mental Retardation, Center Experimental Education Unit.  This fellowship award is the first of its kind established by the Association.

Dr. Hayden was actively involved in the field of special education for many years. Her responsibilities in professional preparation are in the area of special education and early childhood education for children with disabilities. Much of her writing addresses strategies for early and continuous intervention with children with disabilities, through an interdisciplinary and parent centered approach.   Alice was a member of several of the publication, nomination, and other committees of TASH. In 1977 she was awarded an honorary doctorate degree for her pioneering work in that area of child development and her leadership in demonstrating and believing in the power of cooperative and coordinated efforts in improving the lives of children and youth labeled with severe disabilities.

Positive Images in Media Award – This award honors presentations in print, film or other forms of media, which promote positive images of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.

Criteria for this award include:
• Available in alternative formats; optimally accessible to all viewers/participants
• Supports the philosophy of independent living/ self determination
• Contributes to the elimination of stereotypes by portraying people with disabilities and their lives accurately and in respect of the complexities of being human