NEW JERSEY- The Ruderman Family Foundation (REF) announced the winner of its annual Morton E Ruderman Award in Inclusion on January 26th as Ari Ne’eman. The award of $100,000 recognises those people who have made an incredible contribution to include all people with disabilities.
The Ruderman Family Foundation includes all people with disabilities as vital and full participating citizens.
After graduating from the University of Maryland he co-founded the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). Ne’eman was the first president of the organization and remains president today.
Ne’eman, at the young age of 23, became the youngest presidential appointee in history. He was nominated to sit on the National Council on Disability in 2009. He has work continually to make sure that all are included in the rights of all citizens of the United States.
Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation said, that Ari Neeman was selected in recognition of his advocacy as a person with a disability.
“His stance is in direct opposition to those in our society that believe that people with disabilities should be ‘cured’ or dealt with through segregated services.”
Source: Lori Lowenthal Marcus on the Jewish Press website: Founder of Self -Advocacy Org. Wins Ruderman Prize in Inclusion