 Our History Promote the NRAF Celebration! |
26 Years of Growth Each year, thousands of rehabilitation providers and health and human services agencies join together during the third week in September to celebrate the powers of rehabilitation and share the message that through rehab there is hope, achievement and success. To answer the need to educate people throughout the United States, Allied Services healthcare system first celebrated National Rehabilitation Week in 1976. What began as a small scale local awareness campaign 26 years ago has steadily grown in scope over the years. 1990 marked a milestone for the celebration when Allied joined forces with rehab facilities across the country to secure a Presidential proclamation which officially designated the third week in September as National Rehabilitation Week. In 1997, the observance took yet another step forward when, for the first time, it was celebrated under the banner of the newly-established National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation. Under the foundation's sponsorship, the celebration has been elevated to a greater level of prominence as it has extended the tenets of National Rehabilitation Week from a week-long event to a year 'round rehabilitation awareness campaign. While the official celebration time remains the third week in September, the foundation also sponsors activities year 'round to achieve the educational goals of the week. The foundation sets a theme for the week, develops and distributes promotional materials and provides any assistance needed by participating facilities. More than 6,500 rehab facilities and health and human services care providers participated in the event in 2000. Through the National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration, the foundation focuses the nation's attention on capabilities rather than disabilities; and increases awareness of the tremendous power and impact of rehabilitation. |
