08/06/2025
The Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities (CPD) created the Dan Johnson award in his memory, his many accomplishments to recognize people with physical disabilities who are outstanding advocates.
The Dan Johnson Advocacy Award is aimed at recognizing excellence in advocacy, and public policy change for people with physical disabilities, rather than disability advocacy, for which there are many other prestigious awards. CPD reserves the right not to select an award recipient in any given year, or to name more than one award recipient in any given year, at the discretion of CPD and its members at the time. Criteria and Eligibility Criteria Awardees will be selected based on the description and/or evidence provided in the nomination package that show how they are currently, or have previously, contributed to physical disability advocacy, and/or positive public policy impact in Wisconsin.
Awardees are individuals with physical disabilities who advocate for people with physical disabilities and have positive impact on federal or state legislation, public policy, or programs that affect people with disabilities in Wisconsin. These individuals should be extensively involved in the disability and their local community, and should work to educate decision makers, the public, and media about issues faced by people with physical disabilities. The advocacy work should exceed normal expectations of regular advocacy practice and should be inclusive and respectful of the values and independence of those who are affected by it. Individuals can be nominated if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
• The individual’s advocacy work has resulted in a significant act(s) or specific decision(s) advantageous to Wisconsinites with physical disabilities, and the advocacy work has been the primary reason the decision was made • Implementation of extensive and/or innovative policies, programs, or services which increased the potential or independence of people with physical disabilities in Wisconsin.
• Implementation of extensive and/or innovative policies, programs or services which increased the potential of people with physical disabilities to participate in the community in general.
• Has served as an officer or committee member in an organization whose primary purpose is advocacy to people with physical disabilities.
• Has been extensively involved in the development of services, local community activities, and/or involved in increasing awareness of persons with physical disabilities.
• The individual’s advocacy work mobilized grassroots advocacy-action for people with physical disabilities at the local, community, regional and/or state levels. Other criteria include:
• Shares their knowledge of and passion for advocating for people with physical disabilities through service, writing, speaking, and/or consulting.
• Has played a lead role in developing community, state, or national awareness related to people with physical disabilities and is generally recognized as a leader in this field.
• Actively participates in stakeholder groups dedicated to advancing advocacy or policies about, or relating to, people with physical disabilities.
• Has actively championed advocacy tool/program/strategy for people with physical disabilities. Within the above criteria, additional consideration will be paid to these following factors:
• Advocacy efforts that include multiple components that serve to frame an issue, develop alliances, and gather and disseminate information relevant to moving the initiative or activity forward.
• Consistency of effort. Eligibility Awardees will be selected based on the description or evidence provided in the nomination application that demonstrates how they are currently or have previously contributed to physical disability advocacy.
The nominee must be:
• A person with a physical disability. Physical disability is defined in Wisconsin State Statute 15.197(4), and,
• Alive (or living at the time of nomination), and, • Advocating for, or has advocated in the past, for people with physical disabilities in Wisconsin, and,
• An individual who represents, or is drawn from, a stakeholder group across the physical disabilities continuum: academic; community partners; individual consumers; industry; government; or non-profit sector.
Application Process and Awardee Determination CPD is a governor-appointed council, established by Dan Johnson, and created by the Wisconsin State Legislature in 1989, to address the needs of people with physical disabilities. CPD is chaired by an elected council member and is comprised of 14 members, who govern the award process. CPD is responsible for the call for nominations, evaluation of the nominees, and selection of award recipient(s).
Each nomination package must include a completed application form, a letter of recommendation, and any additional information that will assist CPD during the evaluation and award process. Nomination applications can be emailed to Ashley Walker at [email protected]. dhs.wisconsin.gov/cpd 1 WEST WILSON STREET, ROOM 551 POST OFFICE BOX 2659 MADISON, WI 53701-2659 PHONE: 608-266-9354 WEBSITE: dhs.wisconsin.gov/cpd
Profiling the Award Recipient CPD will work to elevate the profile of the award recipient by publicizing the award, the recipient’s accomplishments and contributions, and the award event itself through its website, social media, local and state publications, and networks. CPD will make every effort to recognize the award recipient and their accomplishments.
About Dan Dan Johnson loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was born Christmas day 1947. He lived with his parents and sisters in the country outside of Racine, Wisconsin. As a high school freshman, Dan played football and was also a member of the wrestling team. However, the days following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination were unlike any other. The entire country was in shock. Unfortunately, the decision by Dan’s wrestling team to meet that Saturday for practice would change Dan’s life forever. During practice Dan’s wrestling partner came in low, and as Dan attempted to jump over him, his legs tangled, and he landed hard between the mats arranged around them for protection. Dan knew instantly something was terribly wrong when he could not move or feel his legs. His family doctor told him he had fractured his 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae, damaging his spinal cord. He needed immediate surgery and would have a lengthy recovery. Once Dan began rehabilitation, his doctors did not mince words. He was paralyzed and would not walk again. He would always require a wheelchair for mobility, and would need to depend on others for bathing, dressing, toileting, and transfers. However, he was told through hard work he could learn to do many things for himself, complete his education, and become employed. In the 1960s, there were few services available for people with physical disabilities or their families, and Dan’s family struggled both financially and emotionally. Dan graduated from high school and attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Dan made it his life’s work to advocate for people with physical disabilities and to ensure they have access to the same opportunities as any other person. Dan’s many professional accomplishments included: • Founding Society’s Assets, one of the first Independent Living Centers in the State of Wisconsin.
• Supporting expansion of a lawsuit to cover all public transportation systems in Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.
• Securing Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) funds in 1976 to provide employment benefits counseling and placement service for people with physical and sensory disabilities. • Developing a curriculum to provide a training program for CETA recipients to become personal-care attendants.
• Developing educational materials about the need for agencies receiving federal funding to become accessible (both facilities and programs) according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Creating the first telephone message relay service for people who were Deaf or hard of hearing, as well as for people with speech impairments who required telephone assistance in the Racine area. Society’s Assets was the first state and national contractor of the message relay service.
• Serving as the first board president of Wisconsin Disability Coalition, which worked to pass the amendments to the 1978 Rehabilitation Act and worked to pass the Community Options Program (COP) as an alternative to institutional care.
• Working to increase funding for Independent Living Centers (ILCs) which led to the creation of four more ILCs, and provision of Independent Living services being provided statewide.
• Creating the taskforce that led to the creation of the Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities.
• Working on an initiative to improve the employment outcomes for people with physical disabilities and the creation of the Ticket to Work Act.
• Developing a model of supported employment for people with physical disabilities called Vocational Futures Planning which piloted in Dane County with 40 individuals on long-term support waivers securing employment.
• Working with Department of Health Services to establish the Medicaid Assistance Purchase Plan (MAPP). MAPP provides work incentives that allow people with physical disabilities to earn money, save for their futures, and retire with access to health and long-term care they need.
• Identifying individuals to serve as a steering committee for people with physical disabilities. Recommendations from this committee were used to support the development of Family Care and the Wisconsin Partnership Program.
Dan was one of many individuals who have had their lives turned upside down by an injury. Dan was much more than an advocate who possessed courage and unwavering persistence; he was generous, kind, compassionate, wise, funny, and gentle. His life was full of colleagues, friends, and family. He always had his work cell phone on because someone might need his mentoring skills. Among his many accomplishments, he treasured the family he created as a foster parent and adoptive dad. In his wife Kathy, he found someone who shared his passion for family and adventure. He loved camping, raising kids, being a soccer dad, and driving. He was a great son, brother, cousin, uncle, friend, husband, father and grandfather. Doug Nelson, former president of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, met and became good friends with Dan during Nelson’s time as the assistant secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services. Nelson wrote, “I have never known a finer human being or a friend I was prouder to have than Dan Johnson.” dhs.wisconsin.gov/cpd
The Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities was created by the state legislature in 1989. Its mission, established by Wisconsin state statute 46.29 is to:
