April/May 2000

Resources

By Sharon Burke

The National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation (NRAF)

The mission of the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation (NRAF) is to educate people on the impact of and the benefits of rehabilitation, to develop programs that increase opportunities for the nearly 50 million Americans with disabilities, and to help those who are disabled live up to their full potential.

The National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation was established in 1996 by Allied Services, a not-for-profit health care system headquartered in Scranton, Pa. Since 1976, Allied Services has sponsored National Rehabilitation Week, a nationwide celebration to educate people on the benefits of rehabilitation and the capabilities of people with disabilities. NRAF was created to extend the observance from a week-long event to a year-round awareness campaign. One of NRAF’s main initiatives is to elevate the celebration to a greater level of prominence.

Each year, NRAF leads the nationwide observance of the National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration. Through this event, thousands of rehabilitation providers and health and human services agencies join together during the third week in September to celebrate the powers of rehabilitation and share the message that through rehab there is hope.

Each year, NRAF sets a theme for the week, develops and distributes promotional materials, and provides any assistance needed by participating facilities. NRAF also sponsors a national awards program that honors individuals and organizations for outstanding work on behalf of people with disabilities.

Through the National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration, NRAF focuses the nation’s attention on capabilities rather than disabilities; increases awareness of the tremendous power and impact of rehabilitation; salutes the determination of the nearly 50 million Americans with disabilities; applauds the efforts of rehab professionals; provides a forum for education; and asks Americans to find new ways to fulfill needs that still exist.

National Awards Program

Each year, the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation, in conjunction with Allied Services, honors individuals and organizations for their outstanding efforts on behalf of people with disabilities. Traditionally, NRAF distributes nomination packets and award winners are selected from among those nominated.

In celebration of the year 2000, NRAF is inviting people across America to join in selecting and saluting this year’s honorees by casting a vote for the NRAF Achievers of the Millennium through the foundation’s interactive Web site at www.nraf-rehabnet.org.

The nominees consist of more than 100 past award recipients. These honorees have triumphed over disability and inspired others to reach for the stars. They have helped dispel negative stereotypes, increased awareness of the capabilities of people with disabilities, increased opportunities, and opened doors to unlimited possibilities.

Participants can cast their vote in six award categories:

• Research and Technology: for outstanding medical research efforts and technological advances;

• Lifestyle: to an individual who has overcome a disability and presents an excellent role model to others;

• Newsmaker: an individual or organization, which through the arts, entertainment, or the media has called attention to the capabilities of people with disabilities or the power of rehabilitation;

• Hall of Fame: for outstanding athletic achievement or for inspiring those who are disabled to participate fully in competitive and recreational activities;

• Advocacy: for outstanding advocacy efforts that have helped eliminate barriers and increased accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities; and

• Horizon: for outstanding efforts in expanding opportunities to people with disabilities.

Votes can be cast from June 30 to July 15. Award winners will be announced at the National Awards Dinner, September 19, at USA TODAY Headquarters, Arlington, Va.

Honorary Chairpersons

Each year, NRAF selects an Honorary Chairperson to lead the National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration and to encourage people nationwide to join the observance. Honorary chairpersons are prominent individuals who are knowledgeable about the value of rehabilitation. Past chairpersons include: Regis Philbin, USA Today publisher Thomas Curley, Tipper Gore, Miss America 1995 Heather Whitestone, George and Barbara Bush, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, James S. Brady, actor Chris Burke, and Bob Dole. The theme for 2000 is “Celebrate the Successes of People With Disabilities.”

NRAF Toy Network Aids Children with Disabilities

To help expand opportunities for children with disabilities, one of NRAF’s early initiatives was the establishment of a Toy Adaptation Network, which brings together providers from across the United States who adapt toys for children with special needs at no charge. The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, Washington, DC, is providing funding for the project.

To date, 11 providers are part of the network: Allied Services; Frederick County Developmental Center, Frederick, Md; Tidewater Center For Technology Access, Virginia Beach, Va; Tech-Able Inc, Conyers, Ga; Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh; and The Tetra Society of North America in Anchorage, Alaska, Portland, Ore, Columbus, Ohio, San Francisco, and Houston. A toll-free number, 888-Fix-A-Toy, is staffed by NRAF to direct callers to the site nearest them. All sites have been selected on the basis of familiarity and experience with children who are disabled.

NRAF is currently seeking to expand the network’s membership across the country. Approved facilities must have staff who are expert in dealing with children with disabilities. Training on toy modification is provided through NRAF. Each member can receive up to $2,500 in start-up funding to establish the program. Facilities must make the toy adaptation program available as a free community service.

Looking Ahead

The NRAF board of directors meets regularly to strategically plan how to further the foundation’s goals. The board is currently exploring the following initiatives:

• Coordinating educational programs to better inform medical and insurance professionals, government officials, the media, schools, and community and civic groups about the value of rehabilitation.

• Developing disability sensitivity programs for medical practitioners to help them better understand, provide services to, and interact with people who have disabilities.

• Creating a National Speakers Bureau

• Facilitating national rehabilitation conferences and expositions

• Distributing a national newsletter

Contacting Nraf

Learn more about the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation by visiting its Web site at www.nraf-rehabnet.org. Along with general information, the site contains sample media releases, rehab facts, artwork that can be downloaded and customized for your organization’s participation in the 2000 National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration, membership applications for the National Toy Adaptation Network, a forum that rehab providers can use to distribute and receive information on rehabilitation and disability issues, and links to related sites and instructions on how to link NRAF’s site to your own facility Web site.

For more information, contact NRAF at PO Box 71, Scranton, PA 18501-0071; (800) 943-6723.

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