The award was named after the Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. This award is presented annually to a CEO, President, or government leader who has demonstrated a significant commitment to employ people with disabilities in competitive positions, and worked to influence other business and/or government leaders. This award is to honor the work of Tony Coelho, the author of the Americans with Disabilities Act - a true civil rights leader of people with disabilities.

2011 Tony Coelho Award Winner - John Berry, Director, Office of Personnel Management

2010 Tony Coelho Award Winner - NSA

2009 Tony Coelho Award Winner - Senator Richard J. Durbin, Assistant Majority Leader, US Senate

2007 Tony Coelho Award Winner - Mark Boxer, President and CEO of WellPoint's Operations, Technology and Government Services Business Unit

2006 Tony Coelho Award Winner - Greg Babe, President and CEO of Bayer MaterialScience

2005 Tony Coelho Award Winner - Congressman Steny Hoyer

2004 Tony Coelho Award Winner - Paul Cofoni, President - Federal Sector, Computer Sciences Corporation

2003 Tony Coelho Award Winner - Dr. Kenneth Melani, CEO, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

2002 Tony Coelho Award Winner - Diana Burke, Sr. Vice President of Information Security Systems and Technology, Royal Bank of Canada

2001 Tony Coelho Award Winner - Russ Owen, President of Global Infrastructure Services, Computer Sciences Corporation