DRA Continues to Bestow the Edith Prentiss Award for a Third Year

To carry forward the critical legacy of fiery, grassroots disability advocates in New York and across the Country

September 18, 2024—New York, NY—In September 2021, Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) announced, with support from the Prentiss family, the establishment of the Edith Prentiss Award, to be bestowed annually on a disability justice advocate who demonstrates the same fire, passion, knowledge, and relentlessness that made Edith Prentiss such an impactful voice for people with disabilities.

“We’re so happy that Edith’s advocacy for people with disabilities will live on through this award,” said Andrew Prentiss. “It’s critically important that we inspire and recognize future generations of disability advocates to fight for what is right.”

For DRA’s 2024 Gala, the Edith Prentiss Award will be presented to award-winning recording artist, GRAMMYs Board Governor, and Founder/CEO of RAMPD.org Lachi.

DRA, a national non-profit legal center, came to know Ms. Prentiss as the organization established its New York office in 2010. DRA’s civil rights attorneys quickly recognized Ms. Prentiss as a fearless and generous leader in the disability community and partnered with her to break down illegal, systemic barriers preventing New Yorkers with disabilities from equal participation.”

With Ms. Prentiss and other vocal New York advocates leading the charge, DRA has worked to secure precedent-setting legal victories that have transformed the landscape for people with disabilities, including requiring accessible taxi cabs, establishing a disability-inclusive emergency preparedness plan, ensuring captioning in theatres and access to polling places, and the list goes on.

Rebecca Williford, President & CEO of Disability Rights Advocates, said, “DRA is proud to collaborate with unstoppable advocates like Edith. We look forward to partnering with the community to identify and honor individuals who fight for disability rights with grit and persistence. And we look forward to continuing to represent all of the fierce disability rights advocates to bring lasting systemic equality.”

About DRA

With offices in California, New York, and Illinois, Disability Rights Advocates is the leading national nonprofit disability rights legal center. Its mission is to advance equal rights and opportunity for people with all types of disabilities nationwide. DRA represents people with all types of disabilities in complex, system-changing, class action cases. Thanks to DRA’s precedent-setting work, people with disabilities across the country have dramatically improved access to education, health care, employment, transportation, disaster preparedness planning, voting, and housing. For more information, visit www.dralegal.org.