Andrew J. Imparato, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD, was honored and recognized for his leadership of AAPD. It is the largest cross-disability membership organization in the U.S. Imparato was also honored for his important contributions to life in this country by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Disability. He is one of four individuals who was presented with the Secretary's Highest Achievement Award, to honor their efforts on behalf of all people with all disabilities.

The award was presented at the annual Secretarial event, hosted by the Office on Disability, Celebrating Persons with Disabilities to celebrate the abilities of people with disabilities and those making a difference in the lives of people of all ages with disabilities. The awards are presented annually in October, which is Disability Employment Awareness Month.

"I have been privileged to work closely with Andy over the past few years and have found his leadership skills and characteristics to be in a class by itself," says Helen Roth, AAPD's Chairman of the Board. "I am seriously in awe of the clarity of his thinking and communication, the creative yet pragmatic nature of his ideas, his positive "can-do" attitude and his ability to carry through effectively on decisions. I congratulate HHS for publicly honoring Andy for his outstanding leadership."

Imparato joined AAPD in 1999 as its first full-time President and CEO. During his tenure, AAPD has more than quadrupled its membership - with more than 130,000 members currently - its annual budget, and its staff size. Founded in 1995 on the fifth anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), AAPD pursues its mission of political and economic empowerment of all people with disabilities through public policy advocacy and programs, fostering leadership development, mentoring and career exploration, voting and civic participation, and member benefits.

Imparato, whose perspective is informed by his personal experience with bipolar disorder, is frequently called upon to write, speak, or provide testimony about disability issues. He has testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging; U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing and Transportation; U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space; U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Health; U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; U.S. Civil Rights Commission; and the Institute of Medicine.