OCALI Awards recognize and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and impact of leaders, pioneers, and champions whose efforts help support and improve outcomes for people with autism, sensory disabilities, and low-incidence disabilities.
Award recipients demonstrate significant personal achievements and accomplishments, strong leadership skills and abilities, innovative ideas, practices, and solutions, effective collaboration and mentoring efforts, and overall impact on systems and communities.
Want to browse the names of past recipients? View our list of winners since 2013, when OCALI Awards were first presented.
Submit a Nomination for the Kathe Shelby Leadership Award (Microsoft Form)
Named in honor of Kathe Shelby, former director of the Ohio Department of Education's Office for Exceptional Children (2008-2011), the annual Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding special education leader in Ohio.
Submit a Nomination for the Margaret Burley Impact Award (Microsoft Form)
Named in honor of Margaret Burley, former director of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, the Margaret Burley Impact Award recognizes someone who has made a significant impact on the lives of those with disabilities.
Nominations for either award are due by 11:59 pm EDT, Monday, August 31, 2026!