Yes I Can Awards (CEC National)

CEC is proud to recognize children and youth with exceptionalities who have demonstrated their determination and achievements in multiple ways. Presented each year at the CEC Convention & Expo, the Yes I Can Awards recognize 12 outstanding students with exceptionalities in six categories: Academics, Arts, School & Community Activities, Self-Advocacy, Technology, and Transition.

The Yes I Can Awards Ceremony is the highlight of every CEC Convention & Expo. Recipients and their families, with travel stipends from CEC, will join convention attendees in Louisville, KY, as they are honored live. Recipients who cannot to travel to Louisville will be recognized and celebrated via video.

Award Categories:

• The Yes I Can Academic Award recognizes students and youth with exceptionalities who have demonstrated achievement that far exceeds expectations: (a) in a particular subject area such as math, science, reading, social studies, language arts, foreign language, etc.; (b) in overall academic achievement; (c) on standardized tests, etc. This could be demonstrated through competitions, special projects, and/or performances.
• The Yes I Can Arts Award recognizes students and youth with exceptionalities who have demonstrated achievement that far exceed expectation and/or has led to a positive impact on the student’s social/emotional development or well-being in a particular category, such as music, theater, dance, visual arts, graphic arts, sculpture, dance, written expression, sculpture, etc.
• The Yes I Can Technology Award recognizes students and youth with exceptionalities who have demonstrated achievement that far exceeds expectation, in or through the effective use of technology, including assistive technology, to advance their academic and non-academic skills and/or the positive impact on student social/emotional development or well-being.
• The Yes I Can Transition Award recognizes post-secondary students and youth with exceptionalities who have demonstrated achievement that far exceeds expectation in acquiring knowledge, skills and/or abilities that resulted in successful outcomes in their work, vocational training, or independent living.
• The Yes I Can School and Community Award recognizes students and youth with exceptionalities who have demonstrated achievement or leadership that far exceeds expectations in organized activities at the school or community level through: (a) school-based clubs/activities (yearbook, theater, debate, tutoring, peer mentoring, social, service, etc.); or (b) community-based clubs/activities (volunteer work, Boy/Girl Scouts, church/temple, service, cleanup campaigns, etc.).
• The Yes I Can Self-Advocacy Award recognizes students and youth with exceptionalities who have demonstrated achievement that far exceeds expectations in assuming practical responsibility for oneself, using knowledge of legal rights, advancing one’s goals, or advocating for one’s needs, such as effectively obtaining appropriate accommodations for oneself or others.

Awards Benefits

The Yes I Can Awards Ceremony is the highlight of every CEC Convention & Expo. Recipients and their families, with travel stipends from CEC, will join convention attendees in Louisville, KY, as they are honored live. Recipients who cannot to travel to Louisville will be recognized and celebrated via video.

Award recipients will receive $200. (Checks can be made to the recipient or parent/guardian.) Examples of preferred use of the funds include:

• A local celebration with family/friends/classmates and/or teachers.
• Supporting transition-related expenses (e.g., resume writing services, interview coaching, vocational/technical training, driving classes). 
• Purchasing assistive technology. 
• Purchasing supplies or classes to support artistic endeavors. 
• Supporting extra-curricular activities to help advance the recipient’s interests or academics. 
• Donating the money to a non-profit/club/business the recipient is involved in or owns. 
• Supporting travel to engage in advocacy activities. 

The parent/guardian will be contacted to follow up about the use of funds and to request pictures as a way to further share the recipient’s story.