Oct 23, 2026
Elijah Brummond, NAAOP’s 2026 Breece Fellow, has been named the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE) 2026 Student Advocate of the Year! This prestigious recognition honors Elijah’s dedication to advocacy and his meaningful contributions to disability policy. His commitment to advocacy began at a young age and continued throughout his 2026 Breece Fellowship, where he advanced policies supporting access to orthotic and prosthetic care and the transitions of care in the limb loss community. NAAOP is proud to see Elijah’s leadership and dedication recognized at the national level and looks forward to his continued contributions to the disability community in his future career.
Read more about Elijah’s recognition in NILE’s 2026 Top Lobbyists announcement.
NAAOP also congratulates Peter W. Thomas, our General Counsel, on receiving the AMRPA National Leadership Excellence Award. This award recognizes Peter’s outstanding service and significant contributions to the field of medical rehabilitation. A longtime leader in the rehabilitation and disability communities, Peter has dedicated his career to advancing disability policy, protecting access to care, and advocating for individuals who rely on rehabilitative services and assistive technology. NAAOP is grateful for his continued leadership, counsel, and commitment.
Read more about Peter’s recognition here.
NAAOP extends our sincere congratulations to both Elijah and Peter!