University of Calgary
Helping disabled Albertans
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Alumnus to receive provincial award
Don Carruthers Den Hoed is the inclusion and outreach coordinator for Kananaskis Country parks.Today is the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. The day is intended to increase awareness and understanding of persons with disabilities and the issues that impact their lives. Across Alberta, events will be held to celebrate and to recognize Albertans whose efforts contribute to making the province accessible to everyone.The Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities presents its Awards of Excellence today, and U of C alumnus Don Carruthers Den Hoed, BA'98, MA'07, has been selected as the winner of the Premier’s Council Award for Public Awareness for his innovative work on providing outdoor adventure to people with physical disabilities. Carruthers Den Hoed’s graduate work with the Faculty of Education explored how Alberta Parks can create meaningful wilderness experiences for the disabled. In working on his thesis, he connected with the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, whose chair suggested that his thesis could in fact bring about significant change to the government division. “The whole parks philosophy is about biodiversity—we think nothing of saving a particular species of plant or creating corridors for deer or bears,” says Carruthers Den Hoed. “That same ethos is important for social diversity. I wanted to explore how we could combine inclusion with social justice so we may all have the benefits of Alberta’s green space.” Carruthers Den Hoed, the inclusion and outreach coordinator for Kananaskis Country’s Parks Division, says the program “Push to Open” uses adapted TrailRider wheelchairs and sea kayaks, and volunteers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to bring visitors deep into K-Country for several days. During that time, the wilderness becomes inclusive—everyone is equal, everyone belongs and everyone is able to enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer. Carruthers Den Hoed’s award will be presented over the noon hour at Calgary City Hall where there will be a TrailRider wheelchair on display, along with a variety of other booths and exhibits to mark the day.
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December 3, 2009