Accessibility Excellence Awards Nomination Form

The Accessibility Excellence Awards recognize individuals, groups, organizations and businesses that have made or are making a significant contribution beyond legislated requirements in improving access for persons with disabilities in Belleville.

Nominations focusing on more than one of the disabilities recognized by The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (S.O. 2005, c. 11) are encouraged:

• physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,
• a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
• a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
• a mental disorder, or
• an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997; (“handicap”)

Award Criteria

• Eligible nominees are: Belleville residents, organizations or businesses, which have a positive impact on accessibility in Belleville. Self-nominations will be accepted.
• Nominees whose paid employment or educational requirements include an accessibility component are not eligible for the award unless they demonstrate exceptional accomplishment.
• The selection of awards will be based on the information submitted with the nomination form. Nominators can submit additional information including letters of support, testimonials, pictures, drawings, etc.

As part of the application process, nominees will be asked to identify the area(s) that their nominee’s work best reflects:

• Built Environment: a building, interior, or outdoor space purposely designed, modified or renovated to eliminate barriers and/or enhance access for people with disabilities.

• Customer Service: breaking down barriers that prevent customers with disabilities from accessing the services they need. Barriers include physical/architectural, technological, information or communication, organizational and attitudinal.

• Education: identifying and removing barriers to student participation in learning at all levels from kindergarten to post-secondary and adult education.

• Employment: employers making their workplace practices accessible to potential or current workers with disabilities.

• Information and Communication: creating, providing, and receiving information and communications that people with disabilities can access. Accessible information and communication (both on-line and paper-based) provide all people an equal chance to learn and be active in their communities.

Nominations

Nominations will open May 30 for National AccessAbility Week and remain open. The inaugural award will be presented on Dec. 4 to recognize International Persons with Disabilities Day (Dec. 3). Individuals are welcome to submit applications for multiple nominees.

The deadline for nominations for this year's awards will be Friday, Nov. 24.

Alternative formats for the application are available by contacting Nicole Yantzi, AODA coordinator at nyantzi@belleville.ca.

Find the full Accessibility Excellence Awards criteria and background online.