DDSN Announces City of Greenville as 2023 Recipient of Silver Palmetto Award

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) is happy to announce the City of Greenville as the 2023 winner of the agency’s Silver Palmetto Award. City officials will be honored next month during Hometown Legislative Action Day, which is hosted by the Municipal Association of South Carolina. Greenville was nominated by the Center for Developmental Services, located in the city.

“Slowly but surely, meeting the needs of those with disabilities and special needs is becoming common practice, and in some cases, a requirement,” said Dana McConnell, the executive director of the Center for Developmental Services. “We are fortunate because the City of Greenville has consistently been ahead of the curve by developing accessible spaces and making our community a friendlier place for the people we serve. We appreciate our city officials and look forward to continuing our partnership with them.”

DDSN’s Silver Palmetto Award is given annually to one city for work conducted in the previous calendar year, and DSN Boards are asked to nominate their local city or municipality if that government body has displayed exceptional service to the individuals we serve.

In her letter, McConnell wrote that city officials solicited input from disability providers last year when drafting their new strategic plan. In addition, construction of the Greenville’s first inclusive playground took place in 2023 and will be completed in 2024. With input from providers, the city’s parks department worked with a local family to design a playground with accessible equipment, shaded areas, and 700 feet of sidewalk to increase connectivity.

Another project worth noting is AccessGVL, an innovative app that was designed in collaboration with the Barbara Stone Foundation that gives individuals with disabilities a way to plan their visit to Greenville. The app shows where to find accessible parking, identifies lesser-known routes that are easier to navigate, and rates businesses on their accessibility.

“I am pleased, but not surprised, to see Greenville recognized with DDSN’s Silver Palmetto Award,” said DDSN Commissioner David Thomas, whose district includes Greenville. “This city strongly supports those we serve, and we are beyond lucky to have the people of this community in our corner.”

The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) is the state agency that plans, develops, coordinates and funds services for residents with various severe, lifelong disabilities. Populations served include individuals with traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disabilities.

For more on DDSN’s activities and mission, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.