Disability Pride Month Advocacy Awards

Nominations Are Now Open For the Annual OPWDD Advocacy Awards
Last year, OPWDD announced the launch of its Annual Advocacy Awards with the presentation of the Willie Mae Goodman Award for Family Advocacy and the Bernard Carabello Self-Advocacy Award. 

Nominations are now open for this year’s awards which will be presented during Disability Pride Month to two awardees nominated by the public. The deadline for submissions is May 29.

About the Awards
Bernard Carabello Self-Advocacy Award
Bernard Carabello has been a tireless advocate for people with developmental disabilities within the state of New York and beyond since 1972. He founded SANYS in 1986, and he was a governor-appointed advocate with OPWDD for 37 years before retiring.
Bernard’s participation in Geraldo Rivera’s Willowbrook expose contributed to the filing of the Willowbrook Consent Decree, and ultimately, the closing of Willowbrook in 1987.
This award, presented to Bernard Carabello in 2025, will be presented in his name to one recipient every year.

CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION SELECTION:A strong advocate for people with Developmental Disabilities with a proven track record of advocacy.

• A strong advocate for people with Developmental Disabilities with a proven track record of advocacy.
• A self-advocate who works tirelessly to advocate for people with developmental disabilities.
• An outspoken advocate for people with developmental disabilities on various topics – such as disability rights, employment, housing, or other topics relevant to people with a developmental disability.
• Participates in groups with their peers and helps advise and educate others on self-advocacy.

Willie Mae Goodman Family Advocacy Award
Willie Mae Goodman has been an advocate for people with disabilities since shortly after her daughter Margaret, a Willowbrook State School former resident, was born.
The Gouverneur Parents Association (GPA), which Mrs. Goodman founded, became the first group of parents to take the former state Department of Mental Hygiene to court. Through a court injunction, they successfully blocked the transfer of their loved ones back to Willowbrook State School.
Mrs. Goodman’s life’s work has not only been about advocating for her daughter, but it’s also been about advocating for all people with disabilities who don’t have a voice.
This award, presented to Mrs. Goodman in 2025, will be presented in her name to one recipient every year.

CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION SELECTION:

• A strong family advocate for people with Developmental Disabilities with a proven track record of advocacy.
• A family member that fights for the rights of not only their loved ones, but all people with developmental disabilities.
• A family member who leads with their heart and works to ensure that all people with disabilities get what they need.
• A family member who understands that to make change, we must all work together to build a stronger system of supports.