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The Yes I Can Awards were established to acknowledge the achievements of children and youth with disabilities; to overcome barriers caused by disabilities or public misconceptions; to encourage children and youth with disabilities to seek their highest potential; and to increase awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of people with disabilities.

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is a professional association of educators dedicated to cultivating, supporting, and empowering education professionals who work with individuals with disabilities by: Advocating for education professionals and for individuals with disabilities, and/or gifts and talents Advancing professional practice and scholarly research Promoting diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility Building networks, partnerships, and communities

This award honors individuals who embody DADD values and work to address and break down systemic inequities based on disability and other marginalized identities. The recipient will have a track record of promoting social justice through their actions, both personally and professionally, making a lasting impact on autistic students/students with autism, intellectual disability, and/or other developmental disabilities.

Given to someone who is beginning their career and showing promise as a researcher. Individuals who finished their doctoral work less than 5 years ago are eligible. These nominees must be contributing to research related to students with autism, intellectual disability, and other developmental disabilities in a significant way.

The Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES) seeks nominations for an award to recognize a professional who has made a significant educational impact as an International Educator. The award recognizes an individual whose service has positively impacted the lives of students with disabilities while exemplifying leadership, determination, and perseverance. Recognized work/service may include incorporation of virtual instruction to increase access for students with disabilities, creation of program/activities to increase engagement, and/or other innovative strategies to reach students and/or families of children with disabilities. This award is open to all DISES members who serve children and youth with disabilities.

Dr. Deborah Ziegler made extraordinary contributions and accomplishments in her leadership and advocacy work to promote inclusive education for individuals with disabilities and their families throughout the world. Dr. Ziegler demonstrated strong leadership skills in her roles as Assistant Executive Director and Director of Policy, Advocacy and Global Services at the Council of Exceptional Children for more than 20 years. The Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES) seeks nominations for a DISES member whose visionary international leadership, advocacy, and professional service exemplifies the DISES mission.

The Council for Exceptional Children’s Racial Justice Grant encourages and supports work focused on addressing the issues related to the ongoing racial disparities in educational experiences, opportunities, and outcomes for individuals with disabilities from minoritized racial groups. Grants up to $1,000 are awarded to CEC members for initiatives engaging practitioners, children/youth, families, or other stakeholders in support of students with disabilities from minoritized racial groups

Each year, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) recognizes both an undergraduate and a graduate student who has made outstanding contributions in service to CEC and to children with exceptionalities.

The Council for Exceptional Children is committed to upholding the vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to support all of our members, volunteers, and staff as well as the infants, toddlers, and students with exceptionalities and their families we serve, especially those differentially impacted by systemic racism. In this spirit, we invite racially/ethnically diverse CEC members who are in their first seven years of service to apply for the Emerging Special Educators of Color Leadership Travel Award.