Disabilities Awareness Mission

Young volunteers from Driscoll Children's Hospital recently received a state-wide accolade for their community service initiative, Disabilities Awareness Mission , an outreach program aimed at helping elementary-age school children increase their awareness of the abilities and challenges of those living with a physical disability. Given by the Texas Association of Hospital Auxiliaries (TAHA), the 4th Annual P.R.I.D.E. Award was given to 9 Driscoll teenage volunteers at the organization's Teen Leadership Conference in Odessa, Texas on July 19 - 21, 2001. The teens also received a blue ribbon for their scrapbook and exhibit.

TAHA's P.R.I.D.E. Award (People Recognizing Initiatives Dedicated to and Excellence) recognizes teens who have distinguished themselves by their volunteer service, and who have developed an outstanding healthy community project in their school or neighborhood. Recipients are chosen based on dedication to community service, spirit of volunteerism, and positive impact on the lives and health of others and their community. As a non-profit organization, TAHA supports hospital volunteer organizations by providing educational opportunities that enhance the delivery of healthcare services.

The two-hour outreach program was designed to educate area 5th graders about physical and mental disabilities and the ways in which people living with such disabilities overcome challenges in everyday life. The program enables students to acquire a realistic sense of what it is like to live with different disabilities through hands-on activities including wheelchair manuerving as well as walking, turning, and following directions given by touch rather than voice. Also, students will learn the three different types of Olympic Games, discuss famous people with disabilities and take a "Fact or Fiction" quiz. The teens conducted researched, determined curriculum, developed activities and created the materials to send to schools for the program.

The pilot program debuted in May 2001 at Calk Elementary for 75 to 80 5th graders. The program will be continued at area schools this Fall. Specific dates to be determined.

Driscoll teen volunteers received $1,000 and a plaque for the P.R.I.D.E. Award.

Contact Information

Volunteer Services Department at
(361) 694-5011

Disabilities Awareness Mission

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For Patients and Parents

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