Mitsubishi Electric: Changes for the Better

Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation

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MEAF Executive Director Honored With KIT Founders Award

posted March 26, 2009
SAN DIEGO, CA—Rayna Aylward, Executive Director of the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, was presented with the Kids Included Together (KIT) Founders Award at a luncheon ceremony on March 20th in San Diego. Jan Giacinti, KIT CEO, made the surprise announcement at the 5th Annual KIT National Conference before an audience of more than 200 educators, recreation specialists, and representatives of youth-serving organizations.

KIT, based in San Diego, specializes in training community-based youth organizations on how to include children with disabilities in their regular programs. The KIT Founders Award was established four years ago to recognize the exemplary efforts of an individual, organization or foundation in leveling the playing field for people with disabilities. “The standards for this award are so high,” said Giacinti, “that until today there has only been one recipient of the KIT Founders Award.”

In presenting the award, Giacinti declared that Aylward has “done more to foster the process of inclusion, advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, and motivate organizations of national scale to recognize disability as a part of the diversity initiative than she’d ever take credit for.

“She enabled a foundation of relatively small size to turn a ripple into a wave that is reaching from coast to coast,” continued Giacinti. Aylward was selected to receive the award for her ability to make modest investments that can maximize impact and bring out the best in an organization for the benefit of people with disabilities. Giacinti shared the example of how Aylward facilitated a lasting partnership between KIT, with just six employees in California, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, which has thousands of employees across the country, to make a lasting impact on the lives of youth with and without disabilities.

In closing, Giacinti said of Aylward, “Her vision is crisp and clear – create a world where all people regardless of their abilities are welcomed, valued, and included as contributing members of our society.”

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Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation Presents Second Annual Inclusion Champion Award

posted March 25, 2009
SAN DIEGO, CA—Ingrid M. Kanics, OTR/L, Therapy Director, Hattie Larlham, Mantua, OH received the 2009 Inclusion Champion Award, presented by the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) at the Kids Included Together annual conference in San Diego.

The award, now in its second year, includes a trophy and a $1000 contribution to the recipient’s organization. It was established by MEAF to honor individuals who have made measurable and sustainable impact in promoting the inclusion of youth with disabilities.

In presenting the award, MEAF Executive Director Rayna Aylward highlighted Kanics’ inclusion advocacy within the Hattie Larlham organization and her efforts to develop programs and promote inclusion throughout the country. “Ms. Kanics is a shining example of the power of one individual to make a difference in the lives of many. Because of her work, thousands of children with disabilities have inclusive opportunities to play with their friends and visit museums with their families. We are a better society because of Ingrid Kanics.”

Kanics started working with Hattie Larlham when the organization hired her company to create the design for their new play center in 2003. This facility assists in the development of cognitive, social, physical, and emotional skills of children with intellectual disabilities. It also provides educational and networking support to families and surrounding communities. Prior to joining Hattie Larlham as a full-time employee, she worked at the Center for Creative Play in Pittsburgh, where she assisted many communities and museums in creating universally accessible indoor play environments.

In accepting the award, Kanics remarked: “A truly inclusive environment is one that does not ‘disable’ individuals but allows them to engage in any activity to the best of their ability. It an environment that allows them to play together, learn together, and become a community that embraces all.”

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About The Play Center at Hattie Larlham:
The Play Center is a universally accessible, 7,000 square-foot play area that provides children of all abilities with a variety of developmentally appropriate, hands-on play experiences including big
muscle play, manipulative play, sensory play, creative arts and pretend play. The Play Center is part of the Hattie Larlham Life Achievement Center, which also includes a therapy pool, resource library stocked with specially adapted toys for children with disabilities, outpatient therapy clinic and eating area with a courtyard. Construction on the Life Achievement Center was completed in August 2008, and will fully open in July 2009. www.hattielarlham.org

About Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation:
Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) was established in 1991 by the Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and its US subsidiaries, with the mission of helping young people with disabilities maximize their potential and participation in society. Based in the Washington DC area, MEAF has invested more than $2 million since 2003 in its Inclusion Initiative to help organizations like Hattie Larlham fully include more youth with disabilities. www.meaf.org

About Kids Included Together
Kids Included Together (KIT) is a San Diego-based non-profit organization specializing in providing best practices training for community-based youth organizations committed to including children with disabilities into their existing recreational, social and child care programs. Incorporated in 1997, KIT supports the inclusion of children with disabilities or other special needs in programs that occur in the non-school hours. KIT accomplishes this by creating four-year affiliations with organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs. During this affiliation, KIT focuses on sustainability so organizations will continue to provide inclusive environments long after KIT’s involvement has ceased. www.kitonline.org

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