Nominations Open for 2020 Celebrating Accessibility Awards

Published on: 2020/09/16 - in News

Nominations for the 2020 Celebrating Accessibility Awards are now being accepted by the City of Kingston and the municipal accessibility advisory committee (MAAC).

Award categories have been modified for the 2020 awards, following consultation with members of the Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee, with awards for three categories being presented this year to a Business, to a Community Member, and to a Community Organization. Nominators will be asked to specify which area(s) their nominee’s work best reflects.

“The Celebrating Accessibility Awards recognize how Kingston’s residents, businesses and organizations go above and beyond to remove barriers, foster inclusivity and increase engagement for those with disabilities. The positive impacts of an accessible Kingston benefit everyone in our community,” said Janet Jaynes, Deputy City Clerk.

Nominees can be made for one of the following award fields and are due by 4pm on Friday, October 23:

  • Built Environment: a building, interior, or outdoor space purposely designed, modified, or renovated to eliminate barriers and/or enhance access for people with disabilities.
  • Customer Service: breaking down barriers that prevent customers with disabilities from accessing the services they need. Barriers include physical/architectural, technological, information or communication, organizational and attitudinal.
  • Design of Public Spaces: making communal spaces, such as trails, beaches, rest stops, outdoor play spaces, accessible parking, or outdoor paths of travel more accessible.
  • Education: identifying and removing barriers to student participation in learning at all levels from kindergarten to post-secondary and adult education.
  • Employment: employers making their workplace practices accessible to potential or current workers with disabilities.
  • Health Care: making the health care system more accessible to patients with disabilities as well as any patients’ support people.
  • Information and Communication: creating, providing, and receiving information and communications that people with disabilities can access. Accessible information and communication provide all people an equal chance to learn and be active in their communities.
  • Transportation: making the features and equipment on transportation services, including routes and vehicles, accessible to passengers with disabilities.

Established in 2011, the Celebrating Accessibility Awards recognizes members of the Kingston community who help make the city more accessible for everyone.

Additional information and nomination forms can be found at the City’s Access Awards page.


Photo: Nick Youngson (cc)