2021 Accessibility Awareness Recognition Awards

Kawartha Lakes – At the Committee of the Whole Meeting on June 1, the thirteenth annual Accessibility Awareness Recognition Award Winners were announced, to show appreciation for the people, groups, organizations and businesses that went above and beyond to make Kawartha Lakes more accessible this past year.

Councillor Doug Elmslie introduced this year’s awards saying, “Council in partnership with the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee recognizes those working to improve accessibility throughout Kawartha Lakes. May 30 to June 5 marks National AccessAbility Week, which this year takes the theme of ‘leaving no one behind’, and we wanted to take a moment to celebrate those in our own community working to do just that.”

This year saw a variety of recognition awards, presented by Elizabeth Peeters, Team Leader of the Public Awareness Working Group of the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee, and Barb Condie, Accessibility Officer of Kawartha Lakes.

Outstanding Contribution Business

• Dr. David Lane and Team: Dr. Lane is an ophthalmologist specializing in macular degeneration and other optic issues and he and his staff help a high percentage of patients with severe vision loss with great empathy and compassion.
• Subway, Lindsay: Staff at the Subway in Whitney Town Centre were nominated for their excellence in accessible customer service by a legally blind customer who they always make the extra effort to serve and assist.

Outstanding Contribution – Community Groups

• Fenelon Falls Curling Club: During the COVID-19 lockdown, on a volunteer basis the Curling Club delivered groceries from Sobey's to people who were home bound or shut ins, and continued for a three-month period, many of whom had Accessibility issues and were in need of this service.

Outstanding Contribution – Individual

• Mike Perry: Mike helped break down barriers in Kawartha Lakes for many years in many capacities. In 2015 he founded the Kawartha Lakes Disability Income Equality Coalition and through his involvement with the Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce, Mike co-led a Diversity and Inclusion Campaign.

Outstanding Contribution – City of Kawartha Lakes Employee/Team

• Parks, Recreation and Culture Division: Congratulations and sincere thanks to Jenn Johnson, Rodney Porter, Ryan Smith and the entire Parks, Recreation and Culture team involved with Logie Park in Lindsay. An inclusive setting was designed with widened paved walkways, accessible playground with rubberized matting and splash pad along with accessible washrooms and change room areas.

Outstanding New Build or Modification

• T.H.R.I.L. (Therapeutic Horse Riding in Lindsay): T.H.R.I.L. is a program that reaches out to support the special needs community to provide adaptive therapy riding lessons on superbly trained horses with certified coaches. In order to continue to serve their most challenged participants T.H.R.I.L was able to install a lift that will aid the mounting and dismounting with an electronic mechanical hoist and an accessible cart that allows a wheelchair to be rolled up beside the instructor for pony driving carriage program.

Barbara McArthur Award of Distinction

• Jim Armstrong: Jim has been working quietly and diligently behind the scenes for many years to help ensure that our community of Fenelon Falls is as accessible, inclusive and diverse as possible. Jim is the co-founder of ABLE, an organization that enables local families with members who have intellectual disabilities to find the resources they need to thrive in the community.

To watch the full awards presentation, view the Committee of the Whole Meeting on Kawartha Lakes YouTube.

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