WARRENDALE, PA--Through a donation by The Boeing Co.,SAE International has established a new award to recognize aerospace employees with disabilities who, through technical achievements, innovation, leadership and inspiration, have contributed to the aerospace industry.

The SAE International Steven M. Atkins Ability and Achievement in Science, Engineering and Technology (AASET) Award was established in 2010 and honors Atkins, who serves as vice president, Product Integrity and Functional Excellence, with Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The award is funded through an endowment of $25,000 by the Boeing Co. and will be awarded annually in perpetuity. Nominees will be judged on the accomplishments that have impacted the aerospace industry, including the leadership role he or she played in such contributions. Also, nominations will include how the nominee worked through their disability to achieve the described accomplishments, including the information that highlights the technical achievements and reflects the conviction to succeed.

The SAE International Steven M. Atkins Ability and Achievement in Science, Engineering and Technology (AASET) Award will be presented for the first time during the SAE International 2011 AeroTech Congress & Exhibition, which will be held Oct. 18-21, in Toulouse, France.