By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON May 30, 2012 – More than 200 people gathered at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre today for Burlington’s Accessibility Awards. This first-time event, organized by the city’s accessibility advisory committee, celebrates business owners, service providers and community members who have made significant steps toward improving accessibility for people with disabilities in Burlington.
“Today we applaud and thank those who have become champions of accessibility in our community,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “The collective actions of this year’s 16 award recipients signal that our city’s residents and the local business community are ready and committed to making Burlington a more inclusive and accessible city for all residents and visitors.”
The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario attended as keynote speaker and praised recipients for their efforts in making Burlington a more accessible city.
Row one: The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario; Chris Chandler; Sue Shea and Sarah Lisi (Swiss Chalet)Row two: David Fisher (Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee); Robin Rogers (Burlington Youth Soccer Club); Bob Wercholoz; Jim Casey (Able Sail); Don Green(Rotary Mobility Cup); Catherine Hawkins; Ian Ross (Burlington Arts Centre); Nancy MacMillan (Shell); Gwen Piller; Maria Condello (Longo’s); Mayor Rick Goldring; Councillor Blair Lancaster;Row three (back): Scott Wallace (Burlington Taxi); Dr. Stephen F. Hopkins (St. Christopher’s); Peter Summers (Burlington Youth Soccer Club); Martin McInally (Burlington Arts Centre); Bruce Whitehouse (Whiting Group of Canada); Dr. James Kraemer (Caroline Medical Group); Carole Ward
The following is a list of this year’s award recipients in each category:
Education: Catherine Hawkins. Employment: Longo’s, Fairview Street, Swiss Chalet, Bruce Whitehouse, Whiting Group of Canada. Customer Service: Nancy MacMillan, Shell, Scott Wallace, Burlington Taxi. Recreation: Chris Chandler, Burlington Youth Soccer Club, Able Sail, • Rotary Mobility Cup 2011.
Volunteer: Bob Wercholoz , Carole Ward, Gwen Piller. Other: Burlington Art Centre, St Christopher’s Anglican Church, Caroline Medical Group
The awards were presented during National Access Awareness Week, which was established in 1988 following Rick Hanson’s 40,000 kilometre Man in Motion World Tour. The week allowed people to pause and think about accessibility in Burlington, to provide information to others and to call residents of the community to work toward equal access and full participation for people with disabilities.
