Wednesday, June 03, 2015
Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
Inaugural David C. Onley Awards Celebrate Ontario's Accessibility Champions
Four outstanding champions of inclusivity have received the inaugural David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility.
The award recognizes individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in creating awareness of accessibility and disability issues in their communities.
Her Honour, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario presented the awards alongside the Honourable David C. Onley and Minister Brad Duguid.
This year's recipients are:
- Access Orangeville, in the Town of Orangeville, received the Role Model/Champion Award (Organization) for transforming Orangeville into a barrier-free community that is an inspiration to towns and cities across the province.
- Dr. Kathryn Church, from Toronto, received the Role Model/Champion Award (Individual). Dr. Church is known around the world for her outstanding leadership in, and commitment to, accessibility and inclusivity, particularly with respect to mental health issues.
- Lois Davies, from Aurora, received the Employee Engagement Award for creating a positive and accessible work environment in York Region and is working to find new opportunities to build more inclusivity.
- Sarah Dinsdale, from London, received the Youth Leadership Award for her work with children, youth and adults with disabilities.
Quick Facts:
- The David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility was created in 2014 to honour the province’s first Lieutenant Governor with a physical disability.
- Mr. Onley served as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and adopted accessibility as the overarching theme of his mandate.
Background Information:
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"It is my pleasure to recognize the inaugural recipients of the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility. These four award-winners have helped change attitudes surrounding both physical and invisible disabilities. I thank them for their important contributions towards making our communities more livable spaces for people of all abilities. "
— The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
"These exemplary winners of the inaugural Award for Leadership in Accessibility have gone above and beyond to transform their communities into accessible and inclusive places where everyone can thrive regardless of their abilities."
— David C. Onley, Special Advisor to the Minister on Accessibility and Honorary Chair, 10th Anniversary of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
"I am proud to recognize these outstanding recipients of the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility. We are a global leader in inclusiveness, and these recipients exemplify our efforts to build a progressive and accessible society. This year’s recipients demonstrate that by working together, we will succeed in building a more accessible province for our future generations. Congratulations to all recipients and thank you for your bold leadership."
— Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
Media Contacts:
Andrew Forgione
Minister’s Office
416-212-4217
andrew.forgione@ontario.ca
Brigitte Marleau
Communications Branch
416-325-2479
brigitte.marleau@ontario.ca
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