Parks & Recreation News
Tuesday, August 7, 2007SPECIAL POPULATIONS DIVISION TO RECEIVE AWARD
LAWRENCE – Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department’s Special Populations Division will receive the InterHab annual Kansas Inclusive Communities Award for 2007 at its annual state conference Oct. 10-12 in Wichita, Kan.
InterHab is the resource network for Kansans with disabilities and links agencies together across the state. The award is for programs and services that promote community inclusion for persons with developmental disabilities. The Parks and Recreation Special Populations Division was nominated by staff at Cottonwood, Inc.
The Special Populations Division is headed up by Annette Deghand, who was singled out in the nomination for her work in developing inclusive programs and for encouraging individuals with disabilities to take part in any program offered by the department. She has worked for the department for nearly 16 years. In that time, Deghand has developed award-winning programming for the disabled. With many of the programs, she has integrated those with and without disabilities to create awareness and understanding with all participants.
“We are extremely pleased to be recognized for our special populations programs,” Ernie Shaw, interim director of Lawrence Parks and Recreation, said. “Annette has a tremendous rapport with her clients and looks at the needs of both children and adults. Her dedication in creating an environment of inclusion has assisted the department to be nationally recognized for its programming. She continues to be an amazing influence in her clients’ lives and to the department.”
Deghand received the Community Partner Award from Cottonwood, Inc. in 2006. In 1996, the Douglas County chapter of the Association for Retarded Citizens presented a Special Recognition Award for the Lawrence Parks and Recreation’s Unified Sports program. In 1997, the Unified Sports program was recognized at the State level by the Association for Retarded Citizens and also received an Outstanding Program Award by the Kansas Recreation and Parks Association’s Kansas Therapeutic Recreation Society.
Deghand has been a member of the Kansas Recreation and Parks Association since 1990 and served on the board of directors in 1995 and 1999. She was a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association in 1996. She has also been a member of the Transition Council of Douglas County since 1991. In addition, she served as the local coordinator for the Douglas County Special Olympics from 1991 to 2001 and the Special Olympics Indoor Games from 1991 to 1997.
Prepared by Roger Steinbrock, 785-832-3458
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