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Kawartha Lakes – At the Regular Council Meeting on June 20, 2023 the fifteenth annual Accessibility Awareness Recognition Award Winners were announced. These awards recognize individuals, groups and businesses that have exceeded expectations while working to remove barriers for individuals with disabilities or increase public awareness within the community.
Photo caption: From left to right; back row Councillor Charlie McDonald, Shauna and James Beard from A Step Ahead Foot Clinic, Sarah Holt and Mike Cavanagh from Country Side Pharmacy, Hannah Schever from Tru Faces; middle row Christine Briggs Kawartha Lakes Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Accessibility (IDEA) Partner, Mayor Doug Elmslie, Kathy Morton from Aunt Laura's Tearoom, Diane Engelstad Chair of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee (KLAAC), Sheila Scott, Debra Good, and Shirley Lambert; front row Norm Price, and Kathryn Peeters.
Councilor McDonald spoke on behalf of the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee, saying “I’m pleased to be here with you today and announce that over the last 15 years we have recognized close to 140 individuals and businesses who have contributed to breaking down barriers to accessibility in our community.”
Mayor Doug Elmslie echoed Councillor MacDonald’s sentiment, saying “I am so proud of the dedicated efforts of our Accessibility Advisory Committee. Having sat on the Committee myself for a number of years, I can say without a doubt that their endless commitment to reducing barriers and social stigmas is admirable.”
The following awards were presented by Elizabeth Peeters and Gigi Porteous, members of the Accessibility Advisory Committee:
Outstanding Contribution Business
- Aunt Laura’s Tearoom:
Aunt Laura’s Tearoom is located in an old farmhouse that is at least 175 years old, not a business you would expect to be accessible and yet, owner Kathy Morton does her best. There is a path and ramp to allow access, and tables and washrooms are accessible. Lighting is great for those patrons with visual impairments.
Photo caption: From left to right Mayor Doug Elmslie, Christine Briggs Kawartha Lakes Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Accessibility (IDEA) Partner, Kathy Morton from Aunt Laura's Tearoom, Diane Engelstad Chair of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee (KLAAC), and Councillor Charlie McDonald.
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Country Side Pharmacy:
Countryside Pharmacy has worked hard to reduce barriers for customers, having recently installed an automatic door. They are committed to serving clients who cannot enter the building and offering free delivery once a week. They also offer vaccinations outside if clients are unable to access the building.
Photo caption: From left to right Mayor Doug Elmslie, Christine Briggs Kawartha Lakes Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Accessibility (IDEA) Partner, Sarah Holt and Mike Cavanagh from Country Side Pharmacy, Diane Engelstad Chair of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee (KLAAC), and Councillor Charlie McDonald.
- A Step Ahead Foot Clinic:
A Step Ahead Foot Clinic is helping to make life easier for residents with disabilities with compassionate staff who are patient with clients with disabilities, in-home services, and a bright, accessible location with wide halls, slip resistant floors and chairs in the treatment rooms.
Photo caption: From left to right Mayor Doug Elmslie, Christine Briggs Kawartha Lakes Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Accessibility (IDEA) Partner, Shauna and James Beard from A Step Ahead Foot Clinic, Diane Engelstad Chair of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee (KLAAC), and Councillor Charlie McDonald.
Outstanding Contribution – Community Groups
Fenelon Falls United Church: The church is doing its part to break down barriers to accessibility. An elevator allows all visitors access to the building. After realizing that some visitors were having difficulty seeing the screen or bulletins, a large print version was made available each Sunday. A wheelchair accessible washroom is available for anyone needing it and other organizations can use the building for disability programing.
Photo caption: From left to right Mayor Doug Elmslie, Christine Briggs Kawartha Lakes Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Accessibility (IDEA) Partner, Debra Good from Fenelon Falls United Church, Diane Engelstad Chair of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee (KLAAC), and Councillor Charlie McDonald.
Tru Faces: Tru Faces is an online community for individuals with disabilities. It allows members to share their stories, educate about disability awareness and connect with others with similar challenges. Tru Faces was co-founded by sisters Emilee and Hannah Schevers, whose goal was to create a space where the voices of people with disabilities are amplified and included.
Photo caption: Hannah Schevers from Tru Faces, Mayor Doug Elmslie.
Outstanding Contribution – Individual
- Andre Obumsawin: Using his past employment experience in planning as well as personal experience with accessibility issues, Andre developed a series of standardized comments for the Public Spaces Working Group to use while reviewing building plans. These comments were meant to encourage developers to see the inclusion of accessibility features as a bonus, not an onus. Andre was recognized at the awards but was unable to attend.
Norm Price: Norm Price is a long time member of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee and has advocated for many years to improve the Lindsay Transit system for riders with accessibility issues. He served on the Transit Committee and then the Public Spaces Working Group, voicing his concerns with the system. As a result of his efforts, the Lindsay Transit System is more accessible to residents with mobility concerns.
Photo caption: From left to right Mayor Doug Elmslie, Christine Briggs Kawartha Lakes Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Accessibility (IDEA) Partner, Norm Price, Diane Engelstad Chair of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee (KLAAC), and Councillor Charlie McDonald.
Barbara McArthur Award of Distinction
- Emilee and Hannah Schevers: Emilee and Hannah are sisters and co-founders of Tru Faces. They have provided over 1000 hours in the past four years to improve the lives of people with disabilities through community development, integration and support. Tru Faces is dedicated to creating a public awareness of disabilities as well as breaking down stereotypes. Hannah accepted the award on behalf of herself and her sister Emilee.
Photo caption: From left to right Mayor Doug Elmslie, Christine Briggs Kawartha Lakes Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Accessibility (IDEA) Partner, Hannah Schevers from Tru Faces, Diane Engelstad Chair of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee (KLAAC), and Councillor Charlie McDonald.
Kathryn Peeters: Kathryn Peeters who is almost 31, has been speaking for 25 years. By her fifth birthday Kathryn had six brain tumours. As a result of surgery to remove the tumors, she is legally blind, has a seizure disorder and cognitive impairment. Kathryn has spoken at events, community groups and for crowds up to 1,500 people to raise awareness about pediatric brain tumours and visual impairments.
Photo caption: From left to right Councillor Charlie McDonald, Diane Engelstad Chair of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee (KLAAC), Christine Briggs Kawartha Lakes Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Accessibility (IDEA) Partner, Mayor Doug Elmslie, Kathryn Peeters.
To watch the full awards presentation, check out the Regular Council Meeting on our YouTube Channel.
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