Barrier breakers to be honoured at awards ceremony
St. Catharines - To mark National Access Awareness Week, May 30 to June 5, March of Dimes Canada will be presenting 12 “Breaking the Barrier” Awards to people and businesses that have promoted integration and equal access for people with disabilities throughout the Niagara region, on Wednesday, June 2, at 11am at the Market Square in St. Catharines
The Joe Dineley Commemorative Award, sponsored by Dell Lewis and Krall Home Health Care, is awarded for exceptional leadership and commitment to furthering the integration and accessibility of persons with disabilities in the Niagara Community. This year’s Joe Dineley award goes to Russ Findlay who, in the words of his supporters, “has been the driving force in ensuring that today the City of Welland can be described as one of the most accessible communities in the Niagara Region”. As chair of the Welland Accessibility Advisory Committee since its conception in 2003, Russ’ knowledge and determination has resulted in the addition of many accessibility features and retrofits throughout the city including a completely accessible civic square, amphitheatre and sporting venues. Through his devoted leadership, he inspires those around him to see possibilities instead of obstacles, and to share in a true vision of accessibility for all.
In addition to this award, the following individuals and businesses will be also be honoured:
Andrew Waldron, St. Catharines - Volunteer Excellence Award
Welland Recreational Canal Corp.,Welland - AccessibleNiagara.com Award
Paisley Janvary-Pool, Niagara Falls–Breaking the Barrier Award- Volunteer Work
Frances Tanner, St. Catharines – Breaking the Barrier Award -Advocacy
Premier Fitness Clubs, St. Catharines - Breaking the Barrier Award- Recreation
Matt Staples- McDonald’s Restaurant -Dendres Corp., St. Catharines - Breaking the Barrier Award -Employment
Sol Estrin, Niagara Falls – Breaking the Barrier Award –Volunteer Work
Salvation Army, St. Catharines - Breaking the Barrier Award –Employment
Kassandra Murray- Mide Bistro, Niagara Falls- Breaking the Barrier Award -Commerce
George & Eileen Stafford, Stevensville- Breaking the Barrier Award –Volunteer Work
Robert Montgomery, Niagara Falls – Breaking the Barrier Award –Volunteer Work
Citizens of the Niagara region are invited to join in the post award festivities which includes a lunch, raffle and door prizes and displays by organizations providing services for people with disabilities. A number of local dignitaries will also be in attendance to present their certificates of recognition to the award winners. The award ceremony and festivities will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Today, it is estimated that 1 in 6 people living in Ontario has a physical disability.
For more information contact:
Lorraine Nadeau
NAAW Chairperson
Tel: (905) 687-7467, ext. 268 Fax: (905) 687-9522
E-mail: lnadeau@marchofdimes.ca