City Announces 2018 Celebrating Accessibility Awards Nominees

Published on: 2018/11/28 - in Releases

RELEASE — On December 6, Kingstonians will gather inside Memorial Hall to pay tribute to the people who make our city more accessible, at the eighth annual Celebrating Accessibility Awards.

“We are looking forward to recognizing the amazing people who are building a stronger, more inclusive Kingston for everyone,” says Julie Salter -Keane, community projects manager with the City of Kingston.

Introduced in 2011 in partnership with the Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee (MAAC), the Celebrating Accessibility Awards acknowledge individuals, groups and organizations that make significant contributions, beyond legislated requirements, towards improving access for persons with disabilities in Kingston.

Between Sept. 10 and Oct. 24, the public could submit nominations through the City’s website.


The nominees for the 2018 Celebrating Accessibility Awards are:

Built Environment

* Friends of The Spire: Bruce Hutchinson
* Queen’s University – Brant House and David C Smith House Residences
* The Screening Room: Wendy Huot

Customer Service

* Kingston Coffee House
* Mamma Bears – Network for Access
* Quarry Medical: Dr. John Nuttall and Foot Care Nurses

Education

* H’art Centre of MixAbilities Artist/Educator Training Program
* J.G. Simcoe Public School – Jennifer Ramsay
* St. Lawrence College: Community Integration through Cooperative Integration

Employment

* Pita Pit – Alex DesRochers

Recreation

* Kingston Archery Club
* Kingston Circus Arts: Accessible Circus for Everyone –  Erin Ball

Volunteer

* Able Sail Kingston Volunteers: Colin Duncan, John Curtis, Mark Rosenburg, Ryan Moore,  Gord Crothers
* Kingston Elite All-Star Cheerleading: Team Volunteers and Coaches

Youth

* St. Martha Catholic School: Stop Gap School Project

Other

* Downtown Kingston– Rotary Comfort Zones at Santa Claus Parade


“I want to thank everyone who took the time to submit a nomination. Each year through these awards, we learn about people, groups and businesses that are doing great things to make Kingston more accessible. This year is no exception. Our list of nominees is phenomenal,” says Salter-Keane.

Want to attend the Celebrating Accessibility Awards?

The Celebrating Accessibility Awards will be held in Memorial Hall, at City Hall on Dec.  6  from 1 – 3 p.m. The event will include music from the Limestone Trio, an address from Mayor Bryan Paterson, and a keynote presentation by Nick Foley, a motivational speaker and activist for inclusion.

This is a free event and individuals wishing to attend can RSVP at accessibility-awards-2018.eventbrite.ca. For those unable to attend in person, the Celebrating Accessibility Awards will be live streamed, and a recording will be closed captioned following the event.  “We’re very happy to be able to provide this alternative for people unable to attend the celebrations in person.”

People who attend the event in person or virtually are invited to share their experience on social media, using the hashtag #AccessibilityAwardsYGK.


Release: City of Kingston
Photo : Sean McGrath (cc)