CPD: Dan Johnson Advocacy Award

Accepting Nominations for the Dan Johnson Advocacy Award

The Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities (CPD) is now accepting nominations for the Dan Johnson Advocacy Award. Nomination applications must be received by April 30, 2023, by 5 p.m. (CST).

CPD created this award in memory of Dan and his many accomplishments to recognize people with physical disabilities who are outstanding advocates. The Dan Johnson Advocacy Award is aimed at recognizing excellence in advocacy.

Individuals nominated should be people with physical disabilities who advocate for people with physical disabilities and have had a positive impact on federal or state legislation, public policy, or programs that affect people with disabilities in Wisconsin. The advocacy work conducted should exceed normal expectations of regular advocacy practice and should be inclusive and respectful of the values and independence of those who are affected by it.

Full award criteria

Nomination application

CPD Press Release

Award recipient(s) will be notified following the approval of the nomination by CPD members in July 2023 and the award will be presented at CPD's quarterly meeting on October 25, 2023. The name of the awardee(s) will be kept confidential until the award is presented

Dan Johnson Advocacy Award Ceremony 2023

Save the Date
October 25, 2023
DoubleTree by Hilton Madison East
4402 E. Washington Ave., Madison WI

About the Dan Johnson Advocacy Award

One of Dan's many accomplishments was establishing CPD, a governor-appointed council, established in state statue, solely focused on issues for people with physical disabilities. It is the only physical disabilities council in the country.

During Dan's 36 years of service to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, he was an influential advocate for people with physical disabilities. This award is in memory of Dan and his many accomplishments and was created to recognize people with physical disabilities who are outstanding advocates.

The Dan Johnson Advocacy Award is aimed at recognizing excellence in advocacy, and public policy change for people with physical disabilities, rather than disability advocacy. Individuals nominated should b e people with physical disabilities who advocate for people with physical disabilities and have had a positive impact on federal or state legislation, public policy, or programs that affect people with disabilities in Wisconsin. The advocacy work conducted should exceed normal expectations of regular advocacy practice and should be inclusive and respectful of the values and independence of those who are affected by it.

Dan Johnson Advocacy Award Recipients

2019

September 4, 2019: CPD issues press release announcing first recipient of the Dan Johnson Advocacy award to John Nousaine (PDF)

About Dan Johnson

Dan Johnson loved life and lived it to the fullest. Dan was one of many individuals who have had their lives turned upside down by an injury. Dan was much more than an advocate who possessed courage and unwavering persistence; he was generous, kind, compassionate, wise, funny, and gentle. His life was full of colleagues, friends, and family. He always had his work cell phone on, because someone might need his mentoring skills. Among his many accomplishments, he treasured the family he created as a foster parent and adoptive dad. In his wife Kathy, he found someone who shared his passion for family and adventure. He loved camping, raising kids, being a soccer dad, and driving. He was a great son, brother, cousin, uncle, friend, husband, father and grandfather. Doug Nelson, former president and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, now retired, met and became good friends with Dan during Nelson’s time as the deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services. Nelson wrote, “I have never known a finer human being, or a friend I was prouder to have, than Dan Johnson.” Learn more about Dan. (PDF)