Winners of the 2009 Inglis Awards for CONTINUING EXCELLENCE Announced

The Board of Directors of Inglis Foundation announced the winners of the 2009 Inglis Awards for Continuing Excellence. The Awards program honors the performance of non-profit organizations in the Philadelphia region that enhance the quality of life for people with physical disabilities, and by doing so support the mission of the Foundation.

Four organizations will receive a $20,000 award: Acquired Brain Injury Network of Pennsylvania, Inc., Lansdale, PA; The Art Ability Program of the Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, Paoli, PA; Network of Victim Assistance of Pennsylvania, Inc., Jamison, PA; The Disabilities Rights Project of the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Two organizations will receive a $10,000 award of commendation: The Family Savings Partner Program of Open Hearth, Inc., Spring City, PA; VSA arts of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

The award winners will be honored on June 25, 2009, at a ceremony at Inglis House, Philadelphia, PA. According to Inglis Awards for Continuing Excellence Review Committee Chairman Laura Schwanger, “Each year the Review Committee is extremely impressed with the high caliber work of area organizations meeting the needs of people with physical disabilities. We salute this year’s winners whose work also expands the reach of Inglis Foundation in helping this under-served population.”

Applications for the 2010 Inglis Awards for Continuing Excellence will be accepted beginning mid-September 2009. Information will be available on the Inglis website (www.inglis.org) at that time.

Honoree Background

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)

The Art Ability Program of the Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital supports and celebrates the creativity, determination and full participation of artists with disabilities. It holds an annual international, juried exhibition and sale of art and fine crafts by artists with physical, cognitive, hearing and visual disabilities. (www.brynmawrrehab.org or http://www.mainlinehealth.org/oth/Page.asp?PageID=OTH001108)

Network of Victim Assistance of Pennsylvania, Inc. (NOVA) 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 public and continuing education for clients and client organizations; 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)

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. (email eric.openhearth@verizon.net for more information)

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. (http://www.amaryllistheatre.org/about/about_new.html) (http://www.amaryllistheatre.org/about/about_new.html)

About Inglis Foundation
Inglis Foundation works with people with physical disabilities to create and provide practical solutions so they may pursue their life goals. All of Inglis’ services and programs are designed to enable people with physical disabilities to enjoy life with the greatest amount of independence and mobility.

Inglis’ community-based programs include: Inglis Housing Corporation, Inglis Adult Day Program, Inglis Community Employment Services and Inglis Care Management. In 2000, Inglis patented Drink-Aide®, a hands-free water bottle for wheelchair users.

For more information, visit the organization’s website: www.inglis.org.