The Spirit of Access Awareness Goes On

National Access Awareness Week (NAAW) has been an annual celebration of positive changes that increase awareness and remove barriers facing people with disabilities in their communities.

This year, NAAW was not federally funded. However, many cities and towns across Canada are forging ahead with their own initiatives to keep the spirit of NAAW alive.

New Brunswick’s Disability Awareness Week has a theme of "Full Citizenship for All." A province-wide contest will demonstrate examples of how persons with disabilities have been included in their school or community. (Info: (506) 444-3000 (voice/TTY.)

Municipal Advisory Committees in Newfoundland were established last year to continue the mandate of NAAW. Some are still active this year. (Info: (709) 754-1398.)

Alberta’s initiatives include a fundraising campaign titled, "Pay Phone Exchange," which has a goal to remove one regular pay phone in every Albertan community and replace it with a TTY-equipped telephone. (Info: 403) 420-0898.)

Sidney, B.C., focuses the theme of its Access Awareness Week on "Homegrown Solutions," with its kickoff at an Access Awareness Fair, May 30. The fair includes displays and information on accessibility projects. (Info: (250) 656-0441.)

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, its Annual Access Achievement Awards will be given to recognize businesses, organizations and individuals who have advanced awareness of disability issues. An Employer’s Breakfast will present employment issues of concern. In Brandon, Face to Face -- a mentor/prot‚g‚ initiative -- will be held again this year. (Info: (204) 943-6099.)

A Steering Committee in Ottawa, Ontario, has been assembled from 22 organizations. Starting June 1, the committee will be distributing a poster that reads, "Awareness + Access = Opportunity -- Just Do the Math," presenting volunteer awards, and holding awareness activities. (Info: (613) 737-7350, ext. 5535.)

In Kenora and Dryden, Ontario, plans include wheelchair basketball games to be held around the beginning of June. Other communities in northern Ontario have already held awareness events, such as sensitization workshops for students in Thunder Bay. (Info: (807) 345-3400.)

Hopefully, through these cross-country activities, the spirit of NAAW will carry on, and we will continue to take some special time each year to celebrate our progress in disability issues.