June 7, 2011, Vancouver, BC – Developmental Disabilities Association, DDA, has been honoured with the 2011 Access & Inclusion Award. The award, presented by Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson on behalf of the City of Vancouver, recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate leadership and commitment to enhancing accessibility, inclusion, universality and elimination of any barriers that impede the full participation of persons with any type of disability in community life.
“It is a particularly great honour to receive the City of Vancouver’s Access and Inclusion Award, firstly because it comes from the most accessible and inclusive city in the world and secondly because Access and Inclusion is what the Developmental Disabilities Association is all about”, said Alanna Hendren, Executive Director upon acceptance of the award from Mayor Gregor Robertson. The longstanding partnership DDA has with their clients is a testament to their success; clients have been with DDA for an average of 27 years, 15 of which have been spent living in the same home. As clients age with the organization, DDA adapts their services in efforts to continue supporting individuals to lead inclusive and productive lives in their community.
The City of Vancouver is committed to the principles of accessibility, inclusion, diversity and equity. Each year, non-profit organizations, clubs, educational institutions, hospitals, government departments, unions,
associations and public and private corporations vie for the acknowledgement, although only one individual and organization is awarded.
About the Developmental Disabilities Association
The Developmental Disabilities Association is a non-profit organization that provides over 50 communitybased programs and services to children, adults and families with developmental disabilities in Vancouver
and Richmond. All services offered by the DDA are accredited by CARF, an accreditation that certifies our attention to healthy and safety procedures and protocols. DDA’s extended networks of support, invest in
individual needs, and strive for an inclusive and safe community. Over 1,600 individuals and families in the Vancouver and Richmond area are serviced by the Developmental Disabilities Association every year. For more information on our programs and services, visit www.develop.bc.ca.
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For more information:
Tanya Cheung
Communications & Marketing Manager
Email: tcheung@develop.bc.ca
T: 604-233-5407
C: 604-763-3808
