(Heather nominated Nichole for the award, Paul is Nichole’s fiancé, Ellen presented the award in honor of her late husband Gene Fiorentino, and Nichole is the 2016 award recipient.)
It is with great honor that the Resource Center for Independent Living presents Nichole Hastings with the 2016 Gene Fiorentino Self-Advocacy Award.
Each year, RCIL presents the Gene Fiorentino Self-Advocacy Award in memory of Gene Fiorentino, one of RCIL’s most committed Board members, who full heartedly believed in independent living and was a true self-advocate.
The award was established to honor another person who, like Gene, is committed to self-advocacy; who knows about disability issues and the barriers people face; and is publicly willing to take a stand without regard to consequences and fearlessly address the changes needed for equality.
On Saturday, Dec. 17, RCIL presented the 2016 award to Nichole Hastings. Nichole is very committed to self-advocacy and takes great pride in the work she has done with various organizations throughout Madison County.
Nichole knows the barriers that individuals with disabilities face every day. Having a physical disability (using an electric and manual wheelchair for mobility), Nichole has faced many challenges with accessibility in her community and is currently advocating to make sure a new local clinic space will be accessible to the individuals that use it every day.
Nichole has also assisted with developing a manual on emergency preparedness for individuals with disabilities to use when preparing and responding to an emergency.
One of Nichole’s goals is to participate in awareness rides and marathons. In July of 2016 Nichole rode her accessible bicycle in the Journey Along the Canal with members of Our Abilities.
These are just a few of the examples that illustrate why Nichole Hastings is being honored with the 2016 Gene Fiorentino Self-Advocacy Award. Congratulations, Nichole.