Let’s celebrate Calgarians who improve life for people with disabilities

Every year, the Advisory Committee on Accessibility (ACA) celebrates and recognizes Calgarians who are improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities through the ACA Annual Awards program.

These awards celebrate the areas of advocacy, design, and accessible transportation. The deadline to nominate an individual or business for their contributions is Friday, December 1, 2017.

Read on to learn more about the winners of the 2016 ACA Awards, and the work they’ve done to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

2016 ACA annual award recipients and special guests.

·                     The Access Recognition Award was awarded to Darlene Boyes of Calgary Recreation for her expertise in supporting the Recreation Accessibility Study. The study audited 45 City-operated facilities and recommended improvements to increase accessibility. Darlene’s passion, advocacy and expertise help ensure City facilities are physically accessible, welcoming and inclusive.

·                     The Advocacy Award recognized Mark Burzacott of Between Friends, an organization dedicated to creating social, recreational and self-development opportunities for people with disabilities to connect, grow and belong. Through Mark’s work, he removes barriers of isolation and participation. He recently developed a Sensory Room, a therapeutic space for members, at the Between Friends Camp Bonaventure.

·                     The Ella Anderson Accessible Transportation Award was given to Stephen Hansen for the formation of Access Calgary, now Calgary Transit Access. A visionary in accessible transportation, he was instrumental in creating Access Calgary in 2001 to ensure people with disabilities could use transit to meet their diverse needs. Today, Calgary Transit Access provides over one million trips each year to nearly 15,000 Calgarians that are unable to use Calgary Transit services due to a disability.

For more information about what The City is doing to improve accessibility, visit calgary.ca/accessibility, and don’t forget to submit your nominations by December 1, 2017.