Announcing the 2025 David Veatch Advocacy Achievement Award Honoree: José Hernandez

 

The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) is proud to announce that José Hernandez has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the David Veatch Advocacy Achievement Award.José is a passionate advocate, mentor, and community leader whose work has advanced disability rights across New York and the nation. A C-5 quadriplegic since the age of 15, José transformed his lived experience into a lifelong commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities are fully included and valued in every aspect of society.As the NYC Advocacy Coordinator for United Spinal Association and President of United Spinal’s New York City Chapter, José leads grassroots advocacy on issues ranging from accessible transportation to healthcare. He also serves as a Commissioner on New York City’s Civic Engagement Commission, where he works to ensure civic participation is equitable and inclusive of individuals with disabilities.José’s leadership extends beyond New York City, with years of engagement at the local, state, and federal levels. He has mentored peers in rehabilitation centers, testified at public hearings, organized rallies, and met with elected officials in Washington, D.C. to bring the voices of people with disabilities directly to policymakers. He has also contributed his expertise as a board member for organizations including the Independence Care System, the Paratransit Advisory Committee for New York’s MTA, and the North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium.Through his mentorship, advocacy, and leadership, José embodies the spirit of the David Veatch Advocacy Achievement Award. His work continues to inspire and pave the way toward a more inclusive and accessible future.The award will be presented during the 2025 NYAIL Statewide Conference & NYS Disability Rights Hall of Fame Dinner, September 16–17 at the Albany Capital Center.

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Remembering David

David Veatch was a young man who was a staunch advocate for home care and consumer-directed personal assistance services throughout New York State. Originally from Long Island, David received his education at Syracuse University, where he majored in journalism at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He was President of the Organization for Disabled Students (ODS) and was news editor of Interact, a school-wide video/text system. 

Before graduating from Syracuse in 1987, David shepherded several initiatives to make life easier for disabled students on campus. Among those initiatives was; “adopt an administrator,” new curb cuts for sidewalks, and having the elevator in Hendricks Chapel renovated. Throughout his time at Syracuse and for his short career after college, he was a tireless advocate for individuals with disabilities. He spoke at rallies and confronted the policies of Governor Mario Cuomo before the media and a legislative committee. On March 10, 1993, at the age of 26, David died while preparing for a protest.

 

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The David Veatch Advocacy Achievement Award is presented during the NYAIL Statewide Conference to an individual who has shown a passion for advocacy for individuals with all types of disabilities. In presenting this award, we keep alive the memory and spirit of David Veatch, a tireless activist for people with disabilities. 

We invite you to share a compelling and heartfelt nomination that provides ample supporting details on why your nominee deserves the prestigious David Veatch Advocacy Award. Let their remarkable contributions and unwavering commitment to empowering the lives of individuals with disabilities becelebrated and recognized at the NYAIL Statewide Conference!

Please send award nominations to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and let us know why the person you are nominating deserves to be recognized! The deadline for nominations has passed and we are no longer accepting nominations.