Honouring Vaughan’s 2021 accessibility champions
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Four outstanding recipients recognized with the City’s annual award
Congratulations to this year’s accessibility heroes! Today, the City of Vaughan hosted its annual Vaughan Accessibility Champion Awards to honour the 2021 recipients. Members of the community nominated accessibility champions – individuals who advocate for accessibility and inclusion, and businesses that have created an accessible work environment.
First established in 2019 by the City of Vaughan’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, the award aims to honour accessibility efforts among Vaughan’s citizens and businesses. The 2021 awards took place this afternoon with a virtual event in celebration of the following four recipients:
- Elio Riggillo in the individual with a disability category. Elio works at the Canadian Helen Keller Centre as a consumer relations co-ordinator. In his role, he actively provides training, education and support for the deaf and blind community.
- Meenu Sikand in the individual category. Meenu is the founder of Accessibility for All, a not-for-profit organization working towards inclusion for people with disabilities and racialized communities. As an immigrant and individual with a visible disability, Meenu advocates for accessibility through education, inclusion and awareness initiatives.
- John Groe in the small business with less than 20 employees category. As a father of a daughter with a physical disability, John founded Accessible Daily Living over a decade ago. His company provides services, consultation and management of all construction related to public or residential accessibility modifications.
- ViBE Dance and Fitness Studio in the medium or large business with 20 or more employees category. For more than 20 years, Marnie and Rena Schwartz have created a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone at their studio. Their philosophy is to inspire others to dream big, be accepting and inclusive, and treat people the way you want to be treated.
The ceremony was hosted by Bryan Keshen, a member of the Vaughan Accessibility Advisory Committee and a 2021 Order of Vaughan recipient. It included virtual greetings from Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, who congratulated the award recipients on their meaningful work to create inclusive opportunities throughout the city. The event also featured a celebratory message from Local and Regional Councillor Linda Jackson, chair of the Vaughan Accessibility Advisory Committee. In addition, recipients of the 2021 Accessibility Champion Awards provided remarks about the importance of inclusion efforts. The ceremony was streamed at vaughan.ca/accessibility, and the community was encouraged to tune in to the celebration.
As the global COVID-19 pandemic continues, now more than ever, it is important to recognize accessibility achievements that residents will enjoy long after the pandemic has passed. Acknowledging community leaders through the Vaughan Accessibility Champion Awards reflects this. The awards also align with several priorities outlined in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan, including enhancing citizen experience, contributing to an active, safe and diverse community, and city-building that fosters community well-being in public spaces. Learn more about how the City champions accessibility in Vaughan’s Accessibility Plan (PDF) and the Accessibility Policy (PDF). Additional information is also available at vaughan.ca/accessibility.
QUOTES
“I am pleased to extend my sincerest congratulations to the 2021 Vaughan Accessibility Champion Awards recipients. Each year, the community comes together to recognize and celebrate the people and organizations in Vaughan that demonstrate what it means to be an accessibility champion. By promoting independence, building welcoming spaces and creating opportunities for everyone to succeed, this year’s honourees are making a meaningful and lasting impact. The City of Vaughan continues working in support of our mission to foster a barrier-free community that is diverse, inclusive and welcoming. A city where everyone is empowered to lead fulfilling lives and reach their full potential is an enlightened city. I am proud to announce that the City of Vaughan has been recognized as the municipality with the most Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification-rated sites in Ontario and the most Gold sites in Canada. This significant achievement speaks to our long-standing commitment to move our city forward without leaving anyone behind. Our vision is further supported by exceptional individuals who are advancing accessibility in Vaughan and beyond. Once again, congratulations to all this year’s accessibility champions, and thank you for your ongoing efforts to position Vaughan as a city of choice.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
“Everyone has a role to play to ensure Vaughan’s communities remain welcoming, inclusive and accessible. Through the annual Vaughan Accessibility Champion Awards, the City gets to advocate for accessibility and encourage the community to take a stand. The recipients of the 2021 award are truly deserving and are making a difference every day – whether through a business practice or daily routine. I believe all Vaughan’s citizens should get to experience all that the city has to offer without limitations. And this is why, year after year, I continue to chair the City of Vaughan’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. This committee is responsible for breaking down barriers in municipal policies and programs and initiating accessibility advancements, such as the Accessibility Champion Awards, to help create a more accessible community. I applaud the 2021 award recipients as they are doing the same in the community. Congratulations to the four recipients. You are truly deserving of this recognition!”
- Local and Regional Councillor Linda Jackson
QUICK FACTS
- Four deserving individuals and businesses have received recognition from the City as part of the 2021 Vaughan Accessibility Champion Awards.
- The annual award honours citizens, groups and organizations that go above and beyond the call of duty to advocate for diversity and inclusion in the Vaughan community.
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