Region awards accessibility champions in honour of International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Whitby, Ontario – Today (December 3) has been officially proclaimed as International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) in Durham Region. In honour of IDPD, The Regional Municipality of Durham has awarded seven local champions the Accessibility Award. This award recognizes their dedication to removing barriers and making the Region more accessible for people of all abilities.

Each year, the local Accessibility Advisory Committees (AACs) nominate individuals, businesses or organizations based on their efforts in identifying, removing and preventing barriers for individuals living with a disability.

A video showcasing the accessibility champions and their work to make their communities more accessible can be viewed by visiting durham.ca/Accessibility.

2021 Accessibility Champions

Town of Ajax

Liz Wallis brought the idea to Town of Ajax staff to consider installing communication boards in parks and playgrounds. Many children have communication challenges and use what are called CORE boards or PECS (Picture Exchange Communication Systems) which is a way of communicating through pictures. Making parks and playgrounds more accessible to all.

Township of Brock

The Nourish and Develop Foundation – led by Zoe Levitt - took their farmers’ market on the road. The Mobile Food Market went to numerous locations around Brock Township and surrounding areas twice per week, providing fresh local produce, meal kits and prepared meals at an affordable price to everyone. The project was started to increase access to nutritious food options, addressing barriers such as cost, transportation, and mobility. A main goal was to ease the ‘food desert’, mostly found in rural areas, where access to local grocery stores may be difficult and/or access to nutritious food, quality and quantity, may be limited.

City of Oshawa

Oshawa Senior Community Centres (OSCC) 55+ - led by Executive Director, Sandi Black rapidly and creatively modified the services that they offered due to COVID-19 limitations. They worked hard during an unsettling time to make seniors and their families feel safe and not alone. They offered such things as: online programs, grocery order and delivery service, frozen meal order and delivery service, telephone outreach, social connecting through Facebook, Zoom chats, porch visits, outdoor programs (when permitted) and free rides to the vaccine clinics.

City of Pickering

Community Care Durham, Ajax-Pickering Adult Day Program – led by Colleen Paris, Day Program Coordinator. Initially at lockdown there was no back up plan for the Adult Day Program, so Colleen got on the phone and called all participants to see how they were doing. She arranged Zoom meetings and activities, and sent out baskets of goodies and activities. She was also able to arrange for a day program for four or five participants at a time, as permitted.

Township of Scugog

Applewood Farm & Winery – Owners, Matt & Stephanie Passa Fiume have shown a commitment to accessibility and disability rights through creating a more accessible experience for all. Through personal experience they believe that children and adults should be able to enjoy the farm environment. They have made improvements to their space by providing ramps, accessible wagon rides and an accessible washroom. They plan to continue to meet the needs of their customers in whatever way they can.

Township of Uxbridge

Terry Baskin, Community member was a previous member and Chair of the Uxbridge Accessibility Advisory Committee where he demonstrated a persistent and passionate commitment to advancing accessibility in his community. He has provided leadership to the Township, as well as numerous community organizations. As a member of the Rotary Club since 2007, he has used this platform to promote and engage the larger business community in advancing disability awareness. He was an active consultant and advocate of the Downtown Revitalization Committee and Uxbridge Lions Playground Committee. Terry is an active volunteer in Durham, supporting organization to increase their knowledge and awareness around disability and participation and what that looks like.

Town of Whitby

Redwood Employment – Founding partners, David & Kara Onofrio. Redwood Employment is a family who is inspired by individuals living with Autism, including their ‘Justin’, as their why. Redwood was founded with intention, giving back in everything they do. Partnering with the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work, Redwood helps individuals with Autism gain and keep meaningful employment. From their own journey, they created their charity, Autismangels.com. They have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and donated it back to charities who support the autism and the special needs community.

Quotes

“In recognition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, congratulations to all of the accessibility champions that have been recognized. I am thrilled to see so much amazing work being done to ensure that Durham Region is an accessible place that everyone can be proud to call home. The Region remains committed to improving the accessibility of our communities well into the future. The champions honoured today have provided inspiration and set a standard that we can all look up to moving forward.”

-        John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO

“It is an honour to recognize those in our community who are working towards making Durham more accessible. Removing barriers to everyday life allows everyone to fully participate in the fabric of our society. Removal of barriers can improve the quality of life for our most vulnerable populations. Through our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, the Region will also continue to identify services and initiatives with an accessible lens to address the growing needs of our diverse community. We are proud to continue doing our part.”

-        Elaine Baxter-Trahair, Chief Administrative Officer

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