The Annual Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell Memorial Award recognizes a former or current Fellow of the Disability Belongs™ National Leadership Program who has shown a deep commitment to advancing the disability community in policy, entertainment, or philanthropy.
Created in memory of Ben Spangenberg and Justin W. Chappell, the award honors their extraordinary dedication to human and disability rights. Ben Spangenberg, who passed away on September 29, 2023, and Justin Chappell, who passed away on September 9, 2021, left an indelible mark on the National Leadership Program and the broader disability community.
Recipients will be recognized during an in-person reception and awarded $1,000.
Apply
Application Deadline: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Eligibility and Application Process
- Eligibility: The nominee must be a former or current Fellow of the Disability Belongs™ National Leadership Program who has not previously received this award. Self-nominations are welcome, and anyone may submit a nomination.
- Submission: All application materials must be submitted via the official application form by the deadline. If you experience issues accessing the form, please contact awards@DisabilityBelongs.org for assistance.
Past Recipients of the Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell Memorial Award
2024: Steven McCoy
2023: Elizabeth Kim
2022: Roy Payan
About Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell
(L-R): Justin Chappell and Ben Spangenberg
Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell were remarkable public speakers, passionate advocates, and cherished friends to all who knew them.
Spangenberg joined Disability Belongs™ in 2015 and, from 2017 until his passing, served as the Senior Manager of the organization’s National Leadership Program. Under his guidance, more than 200 Fellows graduated from the program, launching impactful careers in disability advocacy, politics, public service, philanthropy, and beyond. Spangenberg also played a pivotal role in Disability Belongs™’ democracy initiatives, meeting every 2016 presidential candidate across the political spectrum to champion accessibility and advocate for policies that empower people with disabilities to achieve their employment goals.
Before joining Disability Belongs™, Spangenberg worked on Capitol Hill and spent seven years managing disability-focused projects related to employment, education, and community living. He held a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley.
Justin Chappell, an alumnus of the National Leadership Program, was deeply engaged in Disability Belongs™’ work, contributing 19 articles to The Disability Belongs™ Report and traveling to educate presidential candidates on disability issues. After earning his Bachelor’s degree from Catholic University in 2001, Chappell worked as a consultant for nonprofits, served as a legislative correspondent for Senator Tom Harkin, and became a respected advocate in the disability and LGBTQ+ communities. He believed that government functions more effectively when it includes and learns from people with disabilities, and he encouraged young people with disabilities to engage in the political process.
Chappell and Spangenberg became engaged in 2011, waiting until marriage equality was legalized in all 50 states before marrying. Together, they traveled throughout the country, visiting more than forty states.
The Spangenberg-Chappell Memorial Award honors the enduring impact of this dynamic duo – Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell. As applicants consider this recognition, we encourage you to reflect on their dedication to creating a more inclusive world, a legacy that continues to resonate with the core values of Disability Belongs™.
