Morton E. Ruderman Award

Each year, the foundation presents the Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion to one individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the inclusion of people with disabilities. The Award was named after Mort Ruderman, the founder of the Ruderman Family Foundation. He was a successful entrepreneur, mentor and proud family man who saw his success as the result of help he received from others and was therefore passionate about providing opportunities for others.

2024 award Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion was given to Andrea Bocelli for his longtime, impassioned, personally inspired commitment to people with disabilities.

2014 -Dr. Michael Stein, Visiting Professor at Harvard Law School.

2015 – Ari Ne’eman, President and co-founder of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and an advisor to the White House.

2016 – Senator Tom Harkin, former U.S. Senator and proponent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ADA Amendments Act.

2017 – Marlee Matlin, Academy Award winner and long-time inclusion proponent in Hollywood and beyond.

2018 – Michael Phelps, the most decorated swimmer of all times, in recognition of his advocacy for people with disabilities and the sharing of his own journey with mental health.

2019 – Filmmakers Peter Farrelly and Bobby Farrelly in recognition of their advocacy for the inclusive and authentic representation of people with disabilities in the entertainment industry.

2020 – Taraji P. Henson, Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe winning actress in recognition of her founding of the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to address stigma surrounding mental health in the African American community.

2021 –  Kevin Love, professional basketball player, mental health advocate, and founder of the Kevin Love Fund, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and for his remarkable achievements in the field of inclusion.

2022 – Selena Gomez for her contribution to raising mental health awareness and for her commitment to expanding access to mental health services and education.

2023 – Eva Longoria for her contribution to social justice and inclusion.