Paul Wolff Accessibility Advocacy Award
Every year, individuals, organizations, and businesses within San Luis Obispo County make exemplary contributions of time, energy and talents toward the creation of a barrier-free community for people with disabilities. These individuals, organizations, and businesses are nominated and recognized annually through the Paul Wolff Accessibility Advocacy Award (PWAAA.
PWAAA Award Winners for 2010
Left to Right:
Chris Parker-Kennedy (individual); Aline Graham representing PathPoint (organization), Judy Adkinson representing San Luis Coastal Adult School (business)
The ceremony to present the awards for accessibility advocacy in 2010 was held at the Clark Center on April 30, 2011, and featured a performance by the all-inclusive International Barrier Breakers from Fresno. The Barrier Breakers is a performing group with various abilities who bring ability awareness to communities nationally and internationally. Break the Barriers, Inc. is recognized as a Role Model for Inclusion by the US Department of Education and US Department of Special Education.
Award Winners
Individual: Chris Parker-Kennedy
As one of the founding members of Access for All and a long-time advocate for people with special needs, Chris led a major revision of the organization's website. Chris has worked tirelessly, putting in countless hours outside of her full-time work schedule. This new version is a model for accessible websites and is designed to make it even easier for businesses and community members with or without disabilities to locate information and resources, "a virtual one stop shop."
Community Organization: PathPoint - SLO County Division
For over 45 years, PathPoint has been providing employment services, community access programs, and independent living programs for people with special needs. This past year, it led several major initiatives aimed at creating a barrier-free community for people with disabilities in the county. The "Self-Advocacy and Safety" project addressed the unmet and ongoing needs of emergency preparedness by empowering people with disabilities to advocate on their own behalf in the event of a disaster or widespread emergency. The program was the first of its kind in the county. Additionally, PathPoint established a fund to support the self-advocacy activities of PathPoint's program participants and co-hosted a Voter Registration/Legislative Reception Day at the Rotary Bandstand Park in Arroyo Grande.
Business: San Luis Coastal Adult School
Dedicated to helping adults with disabilities in the community for over 46 years, San Luis Coastal Adult School has consistently donated its facilities and technology to groups assisting adults with disabilities to enhance and educate these individuals. They have also facilitated People First of SLO and their support staff to attend the yearly People First Conference in Sacramento by offering scholarships, transportation and supplies for their trip. The administration and staff have been nothing but supportive and have always encouraged adults with disabilities to become better advocates for themselves.
The Paul Wolff Accessibility Advocacy Awards
Goal: The purpose of the Paul Wolff Accessibility Advocacy Award is to recognize and reward an individual, organization and business (3 awards) making an exemplary contribution toward the creation of a barrier-free community for people with disabilities in San Luis Obispo County during the past year.
Eligibility: Nominees should be individuals, organizations, and businesses (3 awards) who have made significant contributions toward breaking down physical, attitudinal, or informational barriers during the previous calendar year. They should show consistent advocacy toward accessibility or be involved in making important progress towards equality for people with disabilities. If a nominee is an individual, organization, and businesses who already serves this population, they should exhibit commitment above and beyond the call of duty.
Nomination and Selection Process: Nominees for the award will be solicited from the public at large, as well as from Chambers of Commerce, Cities and the County of San Luis Obispo. Awards will be given to an individual, a community organization, and a business (3 awards). Nominations will be accepted in each of these categories. The winner will be chosen by the Award Selection Committee comprised of representatives from organizations who serve people with all types of disabilities.
Access For All
This fund will support activities that further the mission of Access for All, a coalition whose mission is to assist in creating an accessible community where people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of SLO County life.
For more information about PWAAA, contact Janice Fong Wolf, Director of Grants and Programs at (805)543-2323 or jwolf@sloccf.org
