Award Recipients
William Patrick White Award for Advocacy - Delegate Phil Hernandez
The Endependence Center recognizes Delegate Phil Hernandez for his leadership and advocacy to expand accessibility and inclusion for Virginians with disabilities, particularly his work to advance open captioning in movie theaters.
For many Deaf and hard-of-hearing moviegoers, going to the movies has historically not provided the same experience available to other members of the community. While theaters have offered individual closed-captioning devices, advocates have reported that these devices can be unavailable, improperly charged, malfunctioning, difficult to position, or otherwise ineffective. When the technology does not work, a person may miss dialogue and important information throughout the film after already purchasing a ticket and making plans to participate in an activity that should be equally accessible to everyone.
Open captioning provides a different option. Captions displaying dialogue, speaker information, music, and important sound effects appear directly on the movie screen for everyone to see, eliminating the need for an individual patron to rely upon a separate captioning device.
The effort to address this accessibility barrier also has a personal connection for Delegate Hernandez, whose sister is Deaf. After being approached by an accessibility advocate in 2025 about expanding open-captioned movie screenings in Virginia, Delegate Hernandez brought the issue to the Virginia Disability Commission and worked with disability advocates and organizations to advance the proposal.
During the 2026 General Assembly Session, Delegate Hernandez served as chief patron of House Bill 602, which establishes requirements for open-captioned movie screenings in Virginia. The legislation requires covered movie theater companies to provide designated open-captioned screenings, advertise when those screenings are available, and provide a process for members of the public to request open-captioned screenings later in a film’s run.
The legislation was approved and became Virginia law in 2026, expanding opportunities for Deaf and hard of hearing Virginians—and others who benefit from captions—to participate more fully in an everyday community experience alongside family, friends, and neighbors.
Delegate Hernandez’s advocacy reflects an important principle of Independent Living: people with disabilities should have meaningful access, choice, and the opportunity to participate fully in community life. His work helped move an accessibility concern identified by the disability community into meaningful statewide action.
Through this work, Delegate Hernandez demonstrated the impact that can occur when policymakers listen to people with disabilities and advocates and translate identified accessibility barriers into legislative action. The Endependence Center proudly presents Delegate Phil Hernandez with the 2026 William Patrick White Award for Advocacy in recognition of his work to advance accessibility and full participation for people with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth.
About William Patick White: The William Patrick White Award for Advocacy is presented in memory of Pat White, the first President of the Endependence Center Board of Directors. Pat was a veteran with a disability whose advocacy was instrumental in bringing Centers for Independent Living to Virginia, including the establishment of the Endependence Center, Virginia’s first Center for Independent Living. This award recognizes an individual whose leadership and advocacy have advanced independence, inclusion, accessibility, and the rights of people with disabilities in Virginia.
Outstanding Agency Award - Hope House Foundation
The Outstanding Agency Award is presented to an organization that has worked in partnership with the Endependence Center to expand opportunities, promote inclusion, increase awareness, and improve the lives of people with disabilities.
The Endependence Center is pleased to present Hope House Foundation with the 2026 Outstanding Agency Award in recognition of its longstanding commitment to people with disabilities, community living, and advocacy, as well as its continued partnership with the Endependence Center.
For decades, Hope House Foundation has challenged traditional ideas about where and how people with developmental disabilities should live. Hope House supports adults with developmental disabilities living in their own homes and apartments. Its approach emphasizes individual choice, control over daily life, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for people with disabilities to be full participants in their communities.
In 2026, Hope House strengthened this partnership through its advocacy and outreach efforts. With the work of Advocacy and Outreach Liaison Grey Persons, Hope House collaborated with the Endependence Center to arrange two meetings with Representative Jen Kiggans and her office—one with congressional staff and a subsequent meeting directly with Representative Kiggans. These meetings created an important opportunity for ECI, Hope House, and disability advocates to discuss Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services and the critical role that personal care attendants and direct support professionals play in the lives of people with disabilities. Most importantly, these conversations allowed people with disabilities and advocates to explain what Medicaid-funded community services mean beyond numbers, programs, and budgets.
Hope House’s commitment to advocacy extends beyond this partnership. The organization incorporates advocacy, education about rights, participation in public hearings, and engagement in local and national advocacy into its work. This reflects an understanding that providing quality services is important, but lasting change also requires addressing the systems and policies that create barriers for people with disabilities.
The Endependence Center values Hope House Foundation as a community partner that shares a belief in the dignity, value, and potential of people with disabilities. Our organizations may approach our work from different roles, but we share a commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities are not merely present in their communities, but have the support, opportunity, choice, and voice necessary to fully belong and thrive.
The Endependence Center proudly presents the 2026 Outstanding Agency Award to Hope House Foundation in recognition of its partnership, advocacy, and longstanding commitment to expanding community living, inclusion, choice, and opportunities for people with disabilities.
Jane L. Majer Award for Independence - Erin Eveleigh
After learning about ECI at Tidewater Community College, Erin Eveleigh connected with the organization and quickly distinguished herself through her determination, vision, and unwavering commitment to personal growth. An active participant in monthly Youth Groups and ECI activities, she successfully secured Paratransit services while pursuing ambitious educational goals. Erin graduated from Tidewater Community College and is now attending Old Dominion University, where she is working toward her bachelor’s degree. She also serves as a member of the Consumer Advisory Committee, using her voice and experiences to help shape opportunities for others.
The Endependence Center proudly presents Erin with the 2026 Jane L. Majer Award for Independence in recognition of her extraordinary dedication to higher education, self-advocacy, and the pursuit of an independent future. Through her perseverance, leadership, and commitment to achieving her goals, Erin exemplifies the spirit of independence and purpose that this award honors.
About Jane L. Majer: Serving as President of the Endependence Center, Inc. Board of Directors from 1983 to 1986, Jane was an exemplary role model, allowing no obstacles to stand in the way of achieving her independent living goals. This award recognizes the Endependence Center participant who made significant strides toward independence through involvement, commitment and dedication to purpose—the qualities exemplified by Jane L. Majer.
Outstanding Service Award - Senator Angelia Williams Graves
The Outstanding Service Award is presented to an individual whose service and commitment have expanded opportunities, access, inclusion, and independence for people with disabilities.
The Endependence Center is pleased to present Senator Angelia Williams Graves with the 2026 Outstanding Service Award in recognition of her continued engagement with the disability community and her work to advance accessibility, community inclusion, and opportunities for Virginians with disabilities.
Senator Williams Graves has demonstrated a willingness to listen directly to people with disabilities and the organizations that represent them. In 2023, while serving in the Virginia House of Delegates, she met with Endependence Center participants and staff during Independent Living Day at the Virginia General Assembly. ECI advocates had the opportunity to share their personal experiences, discuss the importance of Centers for Independent Living, and raise priorities affecting people with disabilities.
Her legislative service has also included attention to issues affecting access to community-based supports. In 2024, Senator Williams Graves joined as a patron of legislation addressing Medicaid financial eligibility for individuals receiving services through Virginia’s Developmental Disability Waivers. The legislation changed how certain Social Security Disability Insurance income was considered when determining financial eligibility for the Family and Individual Supports, Community Living, and Building Independence Waivers. Access to these home- and community-based services can be critical to an individual’s ability to live, work, and participate in the community rather than relying on more restrictive settings.
During the 2026 General Assembly Session, Senator Williams Graves continued this record of service by serving as the Senate patron for Senate Bill 722, which establishes requirements for open-captioned movie screenings in Virginia.
For many people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, the traditional closed-captioning devices provided by movie theaters have not always offered reliable or effective access. Individual devices may be unavailable, improperly charged, malfunctioning, difficult to position, or otherwise ineffective. When the technology fails, an individual can be left unable to fully understand or enjoy a movie after making the same plans, purchasing the same ticket, and expecting the same opportunity to participate as anyone else.
Open captioning provides another option by displaying dialogue and important non-speech information directly on the movie screen. Senator Williams Graves carried the open-captioning measure in the Virginia Senate, helping move this accessibility issue through the legislative process and ultimately into Virginia law.
The resulting law expands opportunities for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, as well as others who benefit from captions, to participate more fully in an everyday community experience alongside family, friends, and neighbors. It represents the kind of practical accessibility change that can make a meaningful difference in a person’s ability to participate in community life.
From meeting directly with Endependence Center advocates, to supporting access to home- and community-based services, to advancing communication access through open-captioned movies, Senator Williams Graves has demonstrated an ongoing willingness to engage with issues that affect the independence and participation of people with disabilities.
The Endependence Center proudly presents Senator Angelia Williams Graves with the 2026 Outstanding Service Award in recognition of her continued service, her responsiveness to the disability community, and her work to expand accessibility, inclusion, and opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth.
Lucy Salzberg Outstanding Student Award - Madison Boyd
A participant in the 2026 ECI Summer Pre-Employment Transition program, Madison Boyd exemplifies determination, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous growth. She is a dedicated student-athlete with multiple Special Olympics gold medals in swimming and an aspiring young professional. Through her participation in the 2026 ECI summer program, she strengthened her skills in career readiness, self-advocacy, goal setting, and independent living. As she prepares for her senior year, Madison remains focused on academic excellence, achieving new milestones in the pool, and pursuing future employment opportunities.
She continues to develop her voice as a self-advocate, demonstrating confidence in speaking up for herself while encouraging and supporting others to do the same.
The Endependence Center proudly bestows the 2026 Lucy Salzberg Outstanding Student Award in recognition of her commitment to academic and athletic excellence and future success.
About Lucy Salzberg: Lucy Salzberg was a member of the ECI Board of Directors and a volunteer tutor who instilled confidence and commitment in her students. Lucy demonstrated strong personal commitment to individuals with disabilities, helping them to accomplish their education goals. The Lucy Salzberg Outstanding Student Award honors a student with a disability who has demonstrated commitment to education, self-advocacy, and future independence.
Outstanding City Award - City of Norfolk
The Outstanding City Award is presented to a local city that has demonstrated support for the disability community and the mission of the Endependence Center. The city receiving this award has shown leadership in expanding opportunities for people with disabilities and a willingness to include the disability community in the development of its services, programs, and policies.
The Endependence Center is pleased to present the City of Norfolk with the 2026 Outstanding City Award in recognition of its continued partnership with ECI and its commitment to improving accessibility, inclusion, and opportunities for people with disabilities.
ECI and the City of Norfolk have maintained a longstanding working relationship built on a shared commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities can participate fully in community life. Throughout the past year, that relationship has included collaboration on Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility, housing, emergency preparedness, community services, public planning, and opportunities for people with disabilities to have their voices heard in decisions affecting their lives.
One of the most significant areas of collaboration has been the City’s work to update its ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. Under the leadership of the City’s ADA Coordinator and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Norfolk has invited people with disabilities, advocates, and community organizations to identify barriers affecting access to City facilities, programs, services, and activities. Endependence Center staff have participated in this process and provided input on issues including physical accessibility, accessible paths of travel, transportation and bus stop accessibility, effective communication, employee training, and the importance of including people with disabilities throughout the City’s planning and decision-making process.
The City has also provided meaningful opportunities for ECI to participate in housing planning and advocacy. ECI has continued to work with the Department of Housing and Community Development and other City partners during the development of Norfolk’s Five-Year Consolidated Plan and fair housing planning efforts. Through these opportunities, ECI has been able to raise issues involving the availability of affordable and accessible housing, redevelopment, replacement of assisted housing, accessibility for people transitioning from institutions, and barriers that can prevent people with disabilities from securing and maintaining housing in the community.
The partnership extends to the Norfolk Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities, where ECI has continued to share information about Independent Living services and raise issues affecting Norfolk residents with disabilities. ECI has advocated for accessible participation in Commission meetings and has worked to strengthen opportunities for people with disabilities to engage directly with City leadership and community decision-makers.
Norfolk has also included ECI in emergency preparedness activities through participation in the Local Emergency Planning Committee. This collaboration provides another opportunity to help ensure that the needs of people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs are considered in emergency planning, public information, sheltering, and community response.
What makes this partnership particularly meaningful is the City’s willingness to include disability organizations and people with disabilities in conversations before decisions are complete. Accessibility is strongest when people who experience barriers have an opportunity to identify those barriers, recommend solutions, and participate in shaping the communities in which they live.
The Endependence Center proudly presents the City of Norfolk with the 2026 Outstanding City Award in recognition of its continued partnership with ECI and its commitment to listening to the disability community, addressing accessibility barriers, and expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in the Norfolk community.
Jerry O'Bryan Freedom Award - Charles Bryant
The Endependence Center is proud to present the 2026 Jerry O’Bryan Freedom Award to Charles Bryant in recognition of his journey from institutional care to independent community living.
Referred to ECI through a social worker at the nursing home where he resided, Charles remained steadfast in his determination to build a life beyond its walls. With persistence, resilience, and an open mind, he pursued housing opportunities, worked closely with ECI staff, and developed the skills and confidence to advocate effectively for himself throughout the transition process.
Today, Charles is successfully living in the community and continues to build a strong foundation for the future. Focused on maintaining stable housing while strengthening his budgeting and financial management skills, he exemplifies the independence, determination, and self-advocacy this award celebrates. Charles’ accomplishments reflect the transformative impact of perseverance and a commitment to creating a life of greater freedom and opportunity.
About Jerry O’Bryan: This award is in honor of Jerry O’Bryan, President of the ECI Board of Directors from 1997 until 1998 and is given to either to a participant who has made great strides in increasing their quality of life and independence or to an advocate or service provider that has made a significant effort in improving the service delivery system for those individuals residing in institutions or at risk of institutionalization.
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