Awards

Named in honor of Margaret Burley, former executive director of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities for 39 years, the Margaret Burley Impact Award recognizes someone who has made a significant impact on those with disabilities. As a parent herself of a son with disabilities, Margaret advocated for her son's right and ability to learn, grow and be a contributing member of their community. Under her guidance and the guidance of others, the Ohio Coalition went from one part-time director to an agency with more than 25 staff members and a $2.5 million budget. 

The nominees of the Impact Award have served as mentors, coaches, advocates, and/or connectors for the disability community and have demonstrated ongoing and continuous passion, dedication, and support.

Ilana Hoffer Skoff
Executive Director Emeritus & Co-Founder, Milestones Autism Resources

Ilana Hoffer Skoff was the co-founder of Milestones Autism Resources in Northeast Ohio, and the proud mom of an adult autistic daughter, Eden. Ilana founded Milestones twenty-two years ago with a fellow special needs mother, Mia Buchwald Gelles. Over the course of her leadership as executive director, Ilana pioneered autism support and education services in Northeast Ohio that transformed the autism landscape. During that time, Milestones grew from a staff of two to twenty, assembling a diverse and passionate team. Her strategic focus enabled Milestones to expand its community education efforts. This included training workshops for first responders, medical students, cultural institutions, and other professionals, where they learned how to better support and interact with the autistic community. She cared deeply for her friends, family, colleagues, and her community, and showed that care daily through her dedicated pursuit for a more inclusive world. 

OCALI joins our friends at Milestones Autism Resources and the Northeast Ohio community in mourning the loss and celebrating the life and impact of Ilana Hoffer Skoff. Ilana passed on March 2, 2025, just a few months after receiving this award.