John Lipscomb was a great advocate and leader for West Virginians with disabilities. John was an individual with a severe disability who led the cause for supported employment and access for all people with disabilities. John spent many hours and much of his own limited resources to be involved in the fight for civil rights for individuals with disabilities. He was a member of the Fair Shake Network, a Council member of both the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council and the Statewide Independent Living Council and was an instrumental part of the Systems Change Team for the Supported Employment Project. John chaired a committee which wrote and advocated for the passage of the Supported Employment Program in West Virginia’s state code; an effort known as the WV Jobs Campaign. When John died in 1998, West Virginia lost a true leader in the disability community.
This award goes to an individual who is a recognized contributor to the disability rights movement through grassroots advocacy, is a strong proponent of civil rights, and who supports the Independent Living Philosophy. Please donate to the John Lipscomb Fund.