Good Neighbor Business Award

Needham Commission on Disabilities Good Neighbor Business Award 

Eligibility & Nomination Guidelines

Eligibility

• Nominees must be businesses located in Needham, MA.
• Businesses must have been operating for at least six (6) months prior to the nomination date.
• A business is not eligible to receive more than one award.
• Previous recipients may be recognized publicly again but are not eligible for repeat nominations.

Nominations

• Nominators must be at least thirteen (13) years of age at the time of submission.
• Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted online through the NCOD's Good Neighbor Business Award Nomination Form. 
• Mail-in nominations and self-nominations will not be accepted.

Honoree Selection

• Award recipients will be selected by a review panel of active Needham Commission on Disabilities (NCOD) members.
• The panel will review eligible nominations on a quarterly or bi-annual basis during scheduled NCOD meetings.
• The evaluation criteria will include:

○   Non-traditional or proactive measures to support people of all abilities
○    Physical accessibility accommodations and innovations
○    Staff training and sensitivity toward inclusion and disability etiquette
○    Customer service and assistance for individuals with disabilities
○    Support for local or regional disability-focused community initiatives

Awards

Selected recipients will be honored with a Good Neighbor Business Award plaque recognizing their commitment to accessibility and inclusion.  Awardees will be featured on the Needham Commission on Disabilities (NCOD) website and other public platforms to celebrate their contribution to making Needham welcoming for residents of all abilities.  The NCOD intends to evaluate nominations on a rolling basis.

Privacy & Verification

Nominees may be contacted for additional information and verification of accessibility practices.  NCOD reserves the right to request supporting documentation or conduct follow-up interviews as part of the evaluation process.  By submitting a nomination, you agree that NCOD may publish information about selected awardees, including business name, description, and highlights of inclusive practices.

For questions about this award, please contact Tatiana Swanson.