Honoring businesses, caregivers, and community leaders making our community more welcoming for people with disabilities.
The Paige Awards is The You Belong Foundation’s annual celebration of inclusion. We recognize the people and places turning good intentions into real access—on the sidewalk, at the counter, and online. Proceeds fund audit scholarships, staff trainings, accessible materials, and inclusive events across Chicagoland.
The Paige Awards celebrates strength, perseverance, and the everyday impact of people in the disability community. Each year, we honor two categories of individuals. See the nomination requirements below.
Requirements:
Have a physical, intellectual, developmental, mental health, or invisible disability.
For invisible disabilities, examples include chronic pain, chronic illness, neurological conditions, or other conditions not immediately apparent to others.
Be actively moving forward in life in a positive and productive way.
Demonstrate resilience, self-advocacy, or meaningful contribution to their family, workplace, school, or community.
Have a consistent track record of impact for at least the past 12 months.
Serve as an example that life with a disability is not defined by limitations, but by possibilities.
Note: We are not looking for “superhuman” feats. We honor real people living real lives, pursuing goals, overcoming challenges, and showing up each day with purpose.
Requirements:
Work directly with people who have disabilities in a way that meaningfully improves their lives.
May be a teacher, doctor, nurse, therapist, caregiver, parent, nonprofit leader, advocate, or community program director.
Demonstrate a direct and sustained connection to individuals with disabilities beyond basic job requirements.
Show consistent dedication, compassion, and impact in creating opportunities or improving quality of life for people with disabilities.
Demonstrate advocacy, innovation, or service that inspires others to be more inclusive.
Have a consistent track record of impact for at least the past 12 months.