The Arc Tennessee Awards Luncheon 2025

The awards ceremony will be hosted on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville.

TNSTEP will be presenting its Advocacy Awards during this luncheon.

Wayne Parker Advocate of the Year Award

This award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional use of TNSTEP’s resources and information to help a child—whether their own or another’s—access a free and appropriate public education. The nominee should embody teamwork and collaboration, along with a passion for sharing the knowledge they’ve gained with others. Ideal candidates may include parents of children with disabilities, advocates working alongside families, educators who have made a significant impact in the life of a student with a disability, or service providers who have played a key role in connecting students and their families with necessary resources to ensure they receive a quality education.

Wesley Rice Youth Advocate of the Year Award

This award is presented to a youth with a disability, aged 7 to 26, who stands out as a strong self-advocate in their school, home, or community. The nominee must exhibit leadership by confidently speaking up for themselves and others, demonstrating courage and resilience in advocating for their rights and needs. This individual should serve as a positive role model for other young people with disabilities, inspiring them to take pride in their voices and abilities while fostering a sense of empowerment and inclusion within their communities.

Scott Finney Self-Advocate of the Year

This award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional self-advocacy by taking responsibility, speaking up for themselves and others, and leading by example. This award recognizes a person who embodies the core values of advocacy through their actions, showing determination, courage, and a commitment to creating positive change. Named after Scott Finney, a man who dedicated his life to leading by example, this award celebrates those who, like him, inspire others through their strength, resilience, and unwavering advocacy for themselves and their communities.

Click here to register to attend the TN Disability MegaConference and Awards Luncheon.