The U-M Council for Disability Concerns celebrated disability champions at the presentation of the 2026 James T. Neubacher Award on October 21. The in-person ceremony was held at Weiser Hall and was also available virtually via Zoom. The award is sponsored by the U-M Council for Disability Concerns, Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office, University Human Resources, Michigan Medicine, and the Office of the President.

Excerpt from the University Record:

For more than four decades, Virginia Nelson has worked to ensure that children with disabilities have opportunities to live independently and participate in everyday activities.

As a physician specializing in pediatric rehabilitation medicine, Nelson has helped children who rely on ventilators return home from hospitals, advocated for them to attend schools and summer camps, and traveled around the world to expand access to specialized medical care.

Her lifelong commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities has earned Nelson, a professor emerita of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Michigan Medicine, this year’s James T. Neubacher Award.

Read more about Dr. Nelson in the University Record.

Congratulations to all 2026 Honorees

In addition to recognizing Dr. Nelson, the council also expressed gratitude to five individuals with certificates of appreciation for their significant contributions. 

• Blake Hardin
• Maria Velat
• Sandy Zalmout
• Stephanie Marengere
• Natasha Abner

The event also recognized staff for their work with University of Michigan Adaptive Sports & Fitness

• Kat E. Nic
• Erik Robeznieks,
• Laura Blake Jones

The 2026 Adam Miller Staff & Faculty Award was presented to Dr. Haylie Miller, Assistant Professor, School of Kinesiology 

Celebrating Disability Rights and Inclusion

The James T. Neubacher Award honors a U-M faculty member, staff member, student, or alumnus who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in creating a more accessible and inclusive university. The award recognizes significant contributions in:

• Empowering people with disabilities.

• Advocating for and advancing disability rights and disability justice.

• Increasing accessibility across programs and services to promote comprehensive disability inclusion.

The award is co-sponsored by the U-M Council for Disability Concerns, the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office, University Human Resources, Michigan Medicine, and the Office of the President.