• August 7, 2009

American Airlines and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) have partnered to offer the "Altitude Award," which will honor the best U.S. TV spots featuring authentic depictions of people with disabilities.

Companies are invited to submit TV spots that portray people with disabilities in a positive and progressive light. Only spots that have aired between Oct. 1, 2007 and March 31, 2009 are eligible for submission.

Entries must be submitted online at www.aa.com/altitudeaward by the producing agency or company and will be evaluated in Dallas by a panel of judges. Five finalists will be selected for public voting.

The finalist with the most votes will receive the Altitude Award, along with highly coveted free advertising onboard American Airlines planes. The winning ad will be announced in November 2009.--Tanya Irwin