Janet Pomeroy (1911 or 1912–November 26, 2005) was an American advocate for individuals with disabilities and the founder of one of the first recreation centers dedicated to providing inclusive opportunities for people with physical and developmental challenges.
After moving to Hillsborough, California, she volunteered with the Red Cross and began working with children who had cerebral palsy, an experience that inspired her to create her own recreation center in San Francisco.
In the 1970s, she helped develop programs designed to assist disabled individuals transitioning from state institutions into more independent living arrangements, ultimately aiding more than 15,000 people.
[1] In 1952, at a time when societal attitudes often confined disabled individuals to their homes or institutional care, Pomeroy pioneered the idea that they could engage in recreational activities.
[1][3][4] The facility, now located on a 5.5-acre site on Skyline Boulevard, includes a playground, theater, gymnasium, wheelchair-accessible pool, and garden, and employs more than 200 staff members.