The San Luis Obispo Community Foundation recently hosted a benefit dinner and awards ceremony honoring this year’s Paul Wolff Accessibility Advocacy Awards (PWAAA) recipients. Now in its 14th year, these annual awards honor an individual, organization, and business throughout our county that is making a significant contribution toward breaking down physical, attitudinal, and informational barriers for those with disabilities. These awards honor their exemplary contributions of time, energy, and talent.
The Individual Award was given to Norma Wightman, a volunteer at the States Parks Department, who has made outstanding efforts to create a more accessible San Luis Obispo County. Wightman took initiative to gather information from Access for All to help State Park Docents understand the needs of people with disabilities, as well as informed disabled individuals about the changes made to the trails.
The Business Award was given to the Central Coast Gymnastics Sports Center Inc., the only children’s recreational center in San Luis Obispo County that actively structures its activities to create a disability-neutral environment. In 2014, CCG developed inclusive classes where children with disabilities are supported to participate alongside non-disabled peers.
The Organization Award was given to Arts for Living, an organization engaging persons with developmental disabilities in community development through inclusion in the arts. The organization’s Music Club is the first music therapy program in San Luis Obispo County for individuals with disabilities. Over 50 individuals with disabilities have benefited from Arts for Living’s “Music Club, “Glee Club,” and “Swing for Joy” activities.
“We hope this special event inspired more involvement with AFA including providing support for the Access for All Fund, held at The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo. The Fund provides a permanent source of funding for Access for All’s mission,” says Janice Fong Wolf, Director of Grants and Programs.
Since 1998, The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County has supported our county with grants totaling more than $26 million. The Foundation’s assets under management have grown to more than $48 million and provide support to all aspects of our community in perpetuity. For more information or to donate to any fund, visit The Community Foundation’s website or call 543-2323.