2009 / 2008 / 2007 / 2006
2009 Winners
| Acquired Brain Injury Network of Pennsylvania is a volunteer organization of brain injury survivors, their family members and friends, dedicated to increasing public awareness about acquired brain injury and to providing support, education, information, advocacy and other services for people with acquired brain injury and their families. (www.abin-pa.org ) |
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Network of Victim Assistance of Pennsylvania, Inc. supports, counsels and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes and works to eliminate violence in Bucks County (PA) through advocacy, community education and prevention programs. Since they are at greater risk for victimization and abuse, NOVA provides safety education programs and direct services to people with disabilities and works to improve services provided to these individuals by both victim service providers and by the criminal justice system. (www.novabucks.org)
| The Disabilities Rights Project of the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (PA) is dedicated to ending discrimination and abuse against people with disabilities and securing their inclusion and full participation in all aspects of mainstream society. They provide continuing education; conduct research; negotiate, and use the courts to achieve systemic reforms that advance self-advocacy, social justice and equal protection of the law for all members of society. (www.pilcop.org) |
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2009 Commendation Awards
| The Family Savings Partner Program of Open Hearth, Inc. helps vulnerable people, including those with physical disabilities, in Chester County (PA) and Western Montgomery County (PA) end the cycle of homelessness and achieve financial self-sufficiency. They support and empower people as they acquire affordable housing, a means of transportation and financial viability. (www.openhearthinc.org) |
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| VSA arts of Pennsylvania / Amaryllis Theatre is a professional theatre which includes experienced artists with disabilities and provides complete accessibility to its audiences. VSA arts shares its knowledge of inclusive arts education across Pennsylvania and works with artists with disabilities to develop professional careers. In 2007, with Art Reach and other organizational partners, VSA organized and held the state’s first Disability Arts & Culture Festival – Independence Starts Here. (www.amaryllistheatre.org) |
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2008 Winners (see photo archive)
Bucks County Center for Independent Living ensures that anyone living in Bucks County, PA, with a disability has the tools to achieve the level of independent living to which they aspire, based on their individual needs and desires. (www.cilbc.org)
| Catastrophic Injury Program of the National Transplant Assistance Fund provides fundraising guidance and support to catastrophic injury patients – especially those with spinal cord injuries – and their families to help them raise money to cover uninsured medical expenses and provide for items which support independence and improve quality of life. (www.catastrophicfund.org) |
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Pennsylvania Health Law Project advocates with and on behalf of people with disabilities to ensure their access to quality healthcare and home- and community-based services. (www.phlp.org)
| Residential Living Options, Inc. assists people with disabilities and their families in developing plans and accessing resources that allow them to live in homes of their choice in the community by providing creative options, education and community collaboration. (www.residentiallivingoptions.org) |
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Resources for Independent Living is a community-based program that promotes personal growth and empowerment for people with disabilities through information, education, skills development and networking opportunities so they can live independent lives in the community. (www.rilnj.org)
2007 Winners
| Canine Partners for Life professionally trains and places service dogs that increase the independence and quality of life of individuals with mobility impairments, physical disabilities and seizure disorders. (www.k94life.org) |
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InspiriTec, Inc. helps people with disabilities find information technology jobs such as working at call centers, developing software and providing network administration. InspiriTec also provides vocational training, counseling and assistive technology to help clients keep their jobs. (www.inspiritec.org)
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Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports provides community-based sports and recreation programs for people with physical disabilities including skiing, rowing, cycling, climbing and kayaking. (www.centeronline.com)
Self-Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania is a statewide home modification program that helps people with disabilities live independently in their own homes by making them more accessible. (www.sdhp.org)
2006 Winners
| Chester County Disability Services (Cerebral Palsy Association of Chester County, Inc.) provides individualized and targeted programs to help reduce the social isolation of people with physical disabilities and help them live independently as long as possible. (www.ccdisability.org) |
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The Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Inc. resolves complex problems such as domestic violence, benefits, consumer fraud, housing issues, divorce and custody agreements, for low income people with disabilities who would otherwise not have representation. (www.legalclinicforthedisabled.org)
| Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation is a statewide, non-profit organization that extends low interest loans to people with disabilities so they can purchase the adaptive devices and services they need. (www.patf.us) |
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The Villanova Health Promotion for Women with Disabilities Project was developed to identify and begin to overcome the barriers to health care faced particularly by women with disabilities. (www.villanova.edu/nursing)
2006 Commendation Awards
American DanceWheels Foundation brings partner dancing to people of all abilities, and enables wheelchair users to dance with able-bodied partners. (www.americandancewheels.org)
Let’s Travel, Inc. organizes free transportation and recreational outings for people with physical disabilities
in South Jersey who have no other access to transportation.
(www.letstravelnow.org)
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| Pegasus Riding Academy is the only program in Philadelphia offering therapeutic horseback riding for people with severe disabilities. (www.pegasusridingacademy.com) |
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