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 award winners? View our list of winners since 2013, when the awards were first offered.
Know someone who exhibits these qualities? Nominations and submission instructions are now available!
Have questions regarding the selection process? Email us at events@ocali.org.
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 Family 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 Family Impact Award recognizes a professional or parent who has made a significant impact on the lives of families of those with disabilities.