Mayor’s Awards Honour Champions of Accessibility
May 21, 2014
Edmontonians who enhance the lives of people with disabilities were celebrated at the annual Mayor’s Awards held at City Hall.
“Tonight’s recipients are helping Edmonton become a world-class, inclusive city where everyone, regardless of ability, has equal opportunity to participate in their community,” said Mayor Iveson. “I congratulate each award recipient and nominee and thank them for their dedication to an accessible Edmonton.”
Thirteen individuals, organizations and businesses were awarded in four categories.
The City of Edmonton Advisory Board on Services for Persons with Disabilities selected this year’s recipients from 28 nominees.
Outstanding Service
Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (Edmonton) – CADS programs instruct individuals with disabilities in adaptive skiing techniques for downhill skiing and snowboarding. CADS ski instructors provide specialized physical assistance and equipment to students. CADS Edmonton has over 90 volunteers in the program.
Chrysalis Art Program – Chrysalis assists persons with intellectual disabilities. The art program engages individuals by using mediums for self-expression, creative skill development and providing personal growth opportunities. The program recently expanded into a larger space to provide participants with greater variety of experiences.
Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts – The centre runs art programs for at-risk youth and adults with developmental disabilities or brain injuries. The centre strives to achieve a unique blend of mentorship, community development and participation by those with disabilities. It runs a public gallery called The Stollery which features the work of artists with disabilities.
Universal Design in Architecture
Residential
Home of Cathy and Peter Nissen
WeAreAllConnect Architecture / Joe Johnson and Builder / Marc Teierle (Aztek Homes) – This barrier-free, one-bedroom infill bungalow is an alternative to condominium living. The owners’ top priorities were easy maintenance, barrier-free living and aging-in-place, so the structure is designed with accessible spaces for conditions associated with aging and built to be altered to accommodate most disabilities.
Home of Leslie Warick
Bill Davidson (Perry Signature Homes Inc.) – This bungalow was designed for increased accessibility. The basement and garage are accessible by elevator.
Non-Residential
Saville Community Sports Centre
David Dorward and Craig Henderson (Kasian Architect) – This multi-sport facility located on the University of Alberta South Campus is home to the Alberta Northern Lights Wheelchair Basketball Society and the Edmonton Inferno Wheelchair Basketball Society. It also offers wheelchair curling, wheelchair tennis. The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) was consulted throughout the building’s design process.
Renaissance Tower
Métis Capital Housing Corporation
Arndt Tkalcic Bengert Architects – Renaissance Tower is a 90-unit residential facility offering affordable, barrier-free living in The Quarters Downtown, east of downtown Edmonton. The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) provided input on its 30 barrier-free units. Features include an accessible rooftop garden, braille on all signage, flush floors throughout the building and suites, adjustable countertops and a wheelchair accessible parkade with wheelchair wash station.
Employers
Paid Employment
City of Edmonton (Abilities@Work Program) – Created in 2013, the Abilities@Work program offers employment to people with intellectual disabilities who are interested in part-time jobs at the City of Edmonton. Eleven such individuals currently work throughout City departments in a range of positions including records support, data entry, clerical support and manual labour.
Anthony at Your Service – This pick-up and delivery business and social enterprise was started by family and friends to help employ Anthony, a man with autism. Anthony at Your Service offers work to persons with developmental disabilities that suit their interest and schedules.
DynaLIFEDX – DynaLIFEDX has demonstrated a commitment to being an employer of persons with disabilities. The company believes all employees should have the opportunity to work in a positive, supportive and inclusive workplace, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Volunteer Positions
Provincial Archives of Alberta – Has three volunteers with disabilities working on several important projects and making valuable contributions to the preservation of Alberta’s history. The volunteers who the Provincial Archives of Alberta supports are from the Goodwill Industries of Alberta Power of Work Program.
Safeway (Callingwood) – Students from L.Y. Cairns School, a junior/senior vocational high school with more than 500 developmentally delayed students, travel to Safeway in Callingwood on 10% Tuesdays. Students participating in the Safeway program are part of the Community Volunteer Access Program run by the school.
Ewen Nelson Award for Self-Advocacy
Dr. Heidi Janz – When Alberta Health Services removed existing home support programs at Creekside Condominiums and awarded the contract for service to a private agency, it had a negative impact on some community members. Dr. Heidi Janz, who relies on a wheelchair, became a vocal advocate against the decision. Through Heidi’s advocacy and community building, the Province overturned the decision.
For more information:
Christopher Webster
Title Communications Advisor
Telephone 780-496-8259
Email christopher.webster@edmonton.ca
NT5
