Award Finalists

Accessibility by Design Award

Ian Maclean, Doug Clancey, Maurizio Martignago

During renovation of the entrance to the Canada Science and Technology Museum, both the museum and KWC Architects Inc. saw an opportunity to make it more accessible to all Canadians. The entry sequence was greatly simplified and the chosen materials and lighting eased navigation to the visitor entry desk and on into the museum. Although not required, the project team exceeded barrier-free standards to ensure greater accessibility to the museum for people with disabilities.

Allan Teramura, Matt Siemers, Mike Sirois, Louise Meagher, Catherine Laforce

RECIPIENT

Watson MacEwen Architects and the Supreme Court of Canada collaborated to bring a new level of barrier-free accessibility to the highest court in the land. Their Courtroom Modernization Project included a redesign of the lectern where counsel present to the Justices, so it can be adjusted by hydraulic lift to accommodate the needs of counsel with a disability. Believed to be the first of its kind in North America, this new design gives all lawyers the opportunity to argue their cases using the full functionality of the modern courtroom environment.

Artistic Excellence Award

Guy Legault is an energetic man who devotes his time to various projects. He was invited to participate in the first organized art exposition at the Ottawa School of Art thanks to his avid interest and strong artistic talent. Today, Guy attends regular art classes. He recently presented an exposition of drawings, painting and photos during a national event at Majors Hill Park called “Le Campement”.

RECIPIENT

In 2004 Esther Reaffle participated in the art exposition “Les Couleurs de ma vie!”. This experience gave her the opportunity to contribute to the arts community, while helping her gain more recognition within the community. She was recently asked to participate in the national event “Le Campement” at Majors Hill Park.

Career Award

RECIPIENT

André Demers has spent most of his career ensuring that all people with disabilities can be accommodated in the workplace. In 1992 he was hired with Environment Canada’s Adaptive Computer Technology (ACT) Centre, providing technical accommodations for employees with disabilities. He helped establish Human Resources Development Canada’s own ACT Centre in 1998 and has been managing it since 2001.

Chris Jordan has run his own business, Raccoon Paper Shredding & Recycling, for more than 10 years. “No job is too small” for Chris and his support staff – they have several contracts around Ottawa where they pick-up, shred and recycle paper. Chris enjoys interacting with the community and making contributions to various volunteer initiatives.

Citizenship Award in Memory of Cathy Kerr

Valerie Collicott is a tireless advocate for women’s issues, often speaking on behalf of women at rallies and committees, in particular, for women with a disability. She is a long-time member of the Regional Coordinating Committee to End Violence Against Women and the City for All Women’s Initiative. Through her work with the Women’s Events Network, Valerie has been the lead organizer of the Take Back the Night rally for several years, giving hundreds of women the opportunity to empower themselves and raise awareness of their need to be safe in their communities.

RECIPIENT

Christine Murphy has been a significant contributor to support groups and programs for women with a disability who have experienced abuse. Some of her accomplishments include: disability awareness training for the Rape Crisis Centre; co-creation of a policy manual on the treatment by police of women with a disability who have experienced abuse; and co-founding the Disability Advisory Committee at the Queensway Community Health Centre.

Education Award

RECIPIENT

Judy El Hakim has been a teacher in the Physical Support Program (PSP) at the Ottawa Technical Learning Centre for the past six years. She started The Hot Lunch Company, has taken on the role of Lead Teacher in the PSP, and helped establish the Keith Chevrier Award for graduates of the PSP. Her proudest achievement has been integrating her PSP students into credit classes, fostering their inclusion with the rest of the school.

Darlene Ellis, Nancy Ford

The Storefront School Program is a cooperative education program that combines life skills education and work experience. Adults aged 19 to 21 years old with developmental disabilities benefit from the guidance of the excellent staff, who ensure all students are well integrated into the community. Staff members support the growth and independence of each student by acknowledging and celebrating their unique qualities.

Employee Award

Patrick Blondeau has been a dedicated employee of ComputerWise for the past fifteen years. As a Job Coach Assistant, he helps with a wide range of tasks, including checking e-mails, meeting one-on-one with clients wanting more personal assistance, or using Microsoft Excel to collect and organize the hours of offsite clients. His colleagues say he is always willing and capable of undertaking any type of task.

RECIPIENT

For the past five years, Madelyn Scanlan has been the Peer Support Coordinator for the Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario’s Peer Support Program. She matches volunteers with disabilities to people who have new spinal cord injuries. Madelyn can also be seen around the halls of the Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre, where she meets with new patients and helps to educate medical professionals on issues involving people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities.

Employer Award

Kevin Macleod

RECIPIENT

Dana Douglas Inc. is a small Ottawa company that creates and sells innovative home health care products. Over the years, the company has demonstrated a willingness to hire qualified people with various disabilities, at the same time assisting employment agencies that support people with disabilities, with their recruitment needs. Dana Douglas Inc. often rearranges work schedules to accommodate the needs of their employees, just one example of how this company strives to maintain an inclusive workplace.

Karen Pollock, Lori Lafreniere

MDS Nordion is a global life science company providing innovative technologies for medical imaging, targeted cancer therapies, and sterilization of medical devices. These technologies are used around the world for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. For 20 years the company has maintained an inclusive work environment, collaborating closely with Y’s Owl Maclure to provide full and equal work opportunities. MDS Nordion currently employs and celebrates the achievements of two wonderful individuals with disabilities.

Hospitality and Tourism Award

Olga’s Deli and Catering is a family-run business located in the heart of the Glebe, on Bank Street. One group of frequent visitors is the Ottawa Independent Living Resource Centre’s lunch club. The staff at Olga’s goes above and beyond by ensuring the facility is accessible to those with disabilities. It is not often that small businesses are able to provide the type of service and quality of care experienced by many patrons of Olga’s Deli.

Julia Adam

RECIPIENT

In 2007, the Ottawa Folk Festival conducted its first Accessibility Audit, initiated by Hollis Peirce and Folk Fest staff, to ensure its event would be accessible to all. By bringing together a small group of volunteers with disabilities, the festival assessed many aspects of the event. Once the festival ended, members of the “A Team” were asked to submit a report based on their observations, which will be used in the planning of the 2009 Ottawa Folk Festival and other future festivals.

Sports Award

RECIPIENT

Kathleen Forestell has been a member of the Ski Hawks Alpine Ski Club for blind and visually impaired skiers and the Canadian National Paralympic team for many years. In addition to her numerous accomplishments in skiing, Kathleen’s persistence and dedication serve as inspiration to many others. Despite an injury that prevented her from competing in the recent Para-Alpine World Championships, Kathleen has demonstrated courage by returning to the competitive circuit.

Sally Thomas is the only female Paralympic powerlifter in Canada and the only known female certified personal trainer with a disability in Canada. She placed 7^th in the Athens games in 2004 and was named Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association Female Athlete of the Year in 2003. When she isn’t at the gym lifting weights, Sally can be seen sharing her experiences of living with a disability with others, as a Peer Support Volunteer.

Volunteer Award

RECIPIENT

Sam Fulton began volunteering with CNIB in 2003 and was the Chair of the Communication Committee. Since 2006, Sam has facilitated peer support groups for seniors called “New Horizons New Dreams”, which assist clients adjusting to vision loss, and helps them learn more about their condition and to adapt skills for daily living. Sam and this program have proven to be real assets to the clients of CNIB.

Diane Greene has been the driving force behind Capital Wheelchair Curling Club fundraisers, including the selling of roses for Mother’s Day and the National Capital Sports Council for the Disabled’s Wheel-A-Thon. Each year, Diane dresses up in her long evening gown to hand out prizes and award presentations at the Cathy Kerr Memorial Bonspiel. It is her enthusiasm and willingness to go above and beyond, colleagues say, that make her a great volunteer.

Volunteer Opportunities Award

Tammy Parent

The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest provides numerous volunteer opportunities for people both with and without disabilities. Bluesfest staff take care to ensure the online volunteer registration is user-friendly for those with a disability and that orientations are always held in accessible locations. Director of Volunteer Services Tammy Parent and her dedicated team enable many volunteers with disabilities to share their skills, experiences and enthusiasm at Bluesfest and this inclusive attitude prevails throughout the festival.

Liz Gauthier

RECIPIENT

Since 1996, Good Day Workshop Programs Inc. has welcomed people who are unemployed due to a disability and taught them to repair and refinish furniture. The program provides a productive and supportive volunteer experience, skills training and social interaction, enabling participants to become more confident and comfortable in their own abilities. By restoring furniture – and lives – the Good Day Workshop Programs helps foster the success of individuals who are able to give back to the community.

Youth Award

RECIPIENT

Alyse Benzvy Schacter is an 18-year-old advocate with strong dedication and passion. Diagnosed with Severe Treatment Resistant Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Alyse is a strong believer that dialogue and sharing her experiences with others will help combat the stigma behind mental illness. In 2007, she was the recipient of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s Courage to Come Back Award and was named one of Ottawa’s Top 50 People. She was a panelist on Sound Mind, a radio show on CKCU, and completes hundreds of hours of volunteer work every year.

Lindsay Cardarelli is a talented artist who is currently attending the pre-animation program at Algonquin College. She was approached by the Ottawa Independent Living Resource Centre to create a mural for its youth room, and with the help of other youth she encouraged to join; Lindsay finished the mural within a few days. The project was a great way for her to mentor other youth, who gained knowledge and experience with mural painting, and it was also an excellent medium for group work and communication.