The National Courage Award is presented by Courage Center to individuals who have made outstanding contributions on behalf of people with disabilities.
2011 James S. Krause, Ph.D., spinal cord injury researcher
2010 Judith Heumann, disability rights advocate
2009 Jordan Thomas, founder, the Jordan Thomas Foundation
2008 Jim Ramstad, Minnesota Congressman
2007 Michael Graves, architect and designer, Universal design advocate
2006 Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, Ghana, disability rights advocate
2005 Trisha Meili, Central Park jogger and disability advocate
2004 Erik Weihenmayer, mountain climber and disability awareness advocate
2003 Award not presented
2002 Vernon H. Heath, philanthropist, advocate, co-founder/CEO, Rosemount, Inc.
2001 Janet Reno, United States Attorney General
2000 Award not presented
1999 Bob Dole, former U.S. Senator
1998 Award not presented
1997 Justin Dart Jr., citizen advocate for the ADA
1996 Christopher Reeve, actor and activist
1994-95 Edward V. Roberts, president, World Institute on Disability
1993 John Hockenberry, journalist
1992 Bree Walker, journalist
1990-91 Dr. I. King Jordan, president, Gallaudet University
1989 Stephen Hawking, physicist and author
1988 Cliff Crase, wheelchair sports advocate
1987 Marilyn Price Spivack, co-founder, National Head Injury Foundation
1986 Itzhak Perlman, violinist
1985 Joni Eareckson Tada, author, lecturer, founder of Joni and Friends
1984 Wilko Schoenbohm, executive director, Courage Center
1983 Robert & Dorothy DeBolt, advocates - adoption of children w/special needs
1982 George Conn, commissioner, Rehabilitation Administration
1981 Max Cleland, administrator, Veterans Affairs
1980 Anne Carlsen, administrator, Anne Carlsen School