Awardee Spotlight

2015 Paul G. Hearne Leadership Awards

The Paul G. Hearne Leadership Awards are named in honor of AAPD’s founder and first President, Paul G. Hearne, an advocate known for his encouragement and passion for cultivating leaders throughout the disability community. It was established in 1999 to recognize and support emerging leaders.

Keith R. Nolan
After being told that he could not advance in the military because of his deafness Keith R. Nolan went to Congress and, after many meetings and emails, succeeded in helping introduce two Congressional bills that propose to have a demonstration program for deaf and hard of hearing Americans to receive training to become officers in the Air Force. He believes that the accession into the military services of deaf and hard of hearing members can help the military save on force attrition, retention, and replacement and ultimately advance the rights of all Americans with disabilities.

Andrés J. Gallegos
Andrés J. Gallegos, Esq., is a shareholder with the law firm of Robbins, Salomon and Patt, Ltd., in Chicago, Illinois, where he focuses his practice on disability rights and healthcare law. Andrés founded and spearheads the law firm’s 4-year old initiative to improve access to healthcare and wellness programs for persons across all types of disabilities. Through Andrés’ direction and leadership, a three prong approach of education (for consumers and providers), advocacy, and, when required, litigation, is used to effectuate systemic change.