County Wins National Recognition for Universal Accessibility and Blind Sports Day Program

​The National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) recognized the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department (PBC Parks) with two awards on June 2 during its annual meeting in San Diego, California.

NACPRO's Universal Accessibility Award was presented to PBC Parks for its All Abilities Play Inclusion Program, which enables and encourages greater participation in parks and recreation by persons with disabilities. PBC Parks is a nationwide leader in universal accessibility, operating the CMAA Therapeutic Recreation Complex, which offers a state-of-the-art athletic center with adaptive sports equipment, an aquatic center with pool lifts, and numerous programs designed to enhance the quality of life for thousands of adults and children with differing abilities each year. The department also recently undertook design work for a Miracle League field, specifically designed for children with physical and or cognitive challenges and will be fully wheelchair accessible.

NACPRO's Park & Recreation Program Award was presented to PBC Parks for its Blind Sports Day Program, recognizing the impact of its inaugural event held on October 14, 2023, coinciding with National Blind Sports Month, raising awareness of blind and adaptive sports. Department employees, working with partners Endless Possibilities and The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. and community volunteers, showcased four sports: Beep Baseball, Beep Kickball, Goalball and Boccia for Visual Impairments. All participants, regardless of vision level, wore a blindfold to create an equal playing field, with many expressing no previous knowledge of the sports and a desire to participate again.

Jennifer Cirillo, director of Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, expressed her gratitude: "We're honored to receive these awards from NACPRO, highlighting our commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. The All Abilities Play Inclusion Program and Blind Sports Day Program show our dedication to creating accessible, enriching experiences for everyone. Seeing the joy these programs bring to our community is truly inspiring. We're excited to continue expanding our efforts, including the Miracle League field, additional beach accessibility mats, and installation of more communication boards at our playgrounds, in partnership with the Parks Foundation of Palm Beach County, Inc."