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NSSRA Receives Award
Posted 4/29/2004
NSSRA was presented with the Illinois Attorney Generals Best Practices Award in recognition of its efforts to create recreational opportunities for area residents with disabilities.
Presented by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan at an April 21 luncheon in Springfield, the award recognizes the Joint Summer Program (JSP), a unique education / recreation partnership between NSSRA and the Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED).
Developed in 1974, the Joint Summer Program provides a 6-week summer education program for three to 21-year-old children in 20 school districts. Five days a week, the program offers summer school in the morning, and outdoor recreation in the afternoon.
Through the JSP, children with disabilities maintain social and academic gains made during the school year, and have a rewarding summer camp experience. In addition to academics, activities include sports, organized games, music, drama, dance, nature education, arts and crafts and field trips.
A total of 320 individuals enrolled in the program in 2003. An additional 48 individuals participated in inclusive summer camps offered by NSSRA partner agencies.
Mel Robson, senior manager for NSSRA, said, The idea of cooperation is old. This program, however, is a true partnership. Both NSSED and NSSRA are invested in its success. The families of children with disabilities gain a benefit that can only be obtained by school district and park district cooperation. The children benefit from the two agencies working together to have a summer filled with enjoyment and new social opportunities.
For more information about the Joint Summer Program, please contact Mel Robson at NSSRA, 847-509-9400.
The Illinois Attorney General Best Practices Awards are part of Recreation Access Illinois, Madigans ongoing, statewide effort, in conjunction with the Illinois Association of Park Districts, to promote recreation opportunities for people with disabilities. Funded through a grant from the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the awards recognize outstanding public and private sector efforts to encourage full participation in recreational programs and events.
A total of six Best Practices Awards were given, one in each of six categories for local governments, for-profit programs and not-for-profit organizations.
Award nominations were reviewed by a panel appointed by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and chaired by Madigan. The panel included a representative of a park district, a special recreation association, a not-for-profit agency, a for-profit firm and two persons with disabilities.
I am very pleased to present the Best Practices Award to the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, Madigan said. Their outstanding efforts illustrate how creativity, teamwork and commitment can make a difference in making our states facilities and resources accessible to all Illinois residents.
Funding for Recreation Access Illinois is provided through the Vitamin Anti-Trust Settlement and administered by the office of the Illinois Attorney General. Information on the Recreation Access Illinois initiative is available by calling1-800-900-8086 (Voice and TTY) or visiting www.RecreationAccessIllinois.org. Through the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) at the University of Illinois at Chicago, web site visitors will find resources and information to help them make the most of their abilities.
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