Induction year: 2013
Sport: Athletics, Swimming, Wheelchair Sports
A pediatric rehabilitation physiotherapist, Dunn's 40-year involvement in sport has mirrored the progress of athletes with a disability in Canada. Originally from Ogema, Sask., Dunn attended the University of Alberta where she began her involvement with the Alberta Wheelchair Sports, Alberta Amputee Sports and the Edmonton Paralympic Sports Association. She was the one of the founding members of the Alberta Cerebral Palsy Sports Association and the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Association.
In the 1990s Dunn was instrumental in the movement to allow swimmers with a disability to be integrated within national and provincial associations. She is also known for helping develop the classification system in swimming, which now serves as the international model.
"Janet Dunn has an outstanding record of working vigorously to build youth participation in swimming, the development of the international Paralympic movement, and competitive sporting opportunities for children and athletes with disabilities," said Paralympic wheelchair racer Robert Easton. "Her leadership, perseverance and dedication over decades have resulted in Canada being recognized as a world leader in developing swimmers with a disability."
Dunn was a coach on Canada's Paralympic teams in 1984, 1988 and 2012 in wheelchair athletics and swimming. She has been Swimming Canada's National Development Para-Swimming Coach since 2009, helping athletes prepare for London 2012 and Rio 2016.
A graduate in physiotherapy from the University of Alberta, Dunn was inducted into the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, made an Honorary Life Member of the Alberta Cerebral Palsy Sports Association in 1989, honoured by the Province of Alberta in 1987 and 2005 and has earned numerous City of Edmonton awards. She is now based in Victoria, B.C.
