Access Awareness Week

Premier John Hamm has proclaimed May 27 to June 2 as Nova Scotia Access Awareness Week. The theme for this year is Full Citizenship for All.

"This year’s theme continues to heighten awareness for all of us that persons with disabilities are, first and foremost, fellow citizens," said Peter Christie, Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons Commission.

Access Awareness week is sponsored by the Partnership for Access Awareness--Nova Scotia, a community-based organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for all Nova Scotians with disabilities by promoting diversity and inclusion.

Kendall Rolfe, a Grade 7 student at Springhill Junior High School, was honoured today at Province House for her winning entry in the Access Awareness Week poster contest.

"This is an excellent work and will be used to form the basis of a poster produced to heighten awareness of disability issues over the upcoming year," said Donna Merriam, Co-Chair of the Partnership for Access Awareness -- Nova Scotia.

A number of activities are planned for the week, including the Mel Hebb Hour Glass Action Award Luncheon. "These awards provide an excellent opportunity to honour citizens and businesses that have contributed to a barrier-free society." said Mr. Christie.

On May 30, this year''s Hour Glass Action Award winners will be recognized:

• Stonehame Chalets, Fitzpatrick Mountain: Owners Donald and Sharon Gunn are recognized for their physically accessible chalets and lodge in the mountains of Pictou County.

• Keith MacDonald, Outstanding Individual Award: Keith MacDonald is recognized for his dedication as a volunteer of Tetra Society of Metro Halifax. Tetra recruits skilled volunteer engineers and technicians to create assistive devices for people with disabilities. This unique program was developed in response to difficulties that people with disabilities experience in their search for greater independence and integration within their communities.

Other activities to be held during Nova Scotia Access Awareness Week include:

• A citizenship forum that will provide an opportunity for persons with disabilities to learn about and discuss a variety of areas of concern, including inclusive transportation and recreation.

• The awarding of several scholarships to students with disabilities, sponsored by ScotiaBank, the Royal Bank of Canada, and the Halifax Sheraton Hotel. The total value of the scholarships is $5,000 and the recipients will be 2001 graduating students with disabilities.

• Hants County CAN, the disability partnership of Hants County, is planning a week of activities to raise awareness of access issues experienced by persons with disabilities. The week will celebrate businesses that have shown outstanding dedication to persons with disabilities as well as honour the abilities of local Hants County citizens who have overcome disabilities.

• A breakfast of champions on June 1 that will honour persons with disabilities in the Pictou County area that have championed disability issues over the past 10 years. Other Pictou County community events include radio trivia, an essay contest and daily cable shows on equity and inclusion.

• An entrepreneurial exposition for the disability community in Yarmouth presented by the Network of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities and the Mental Health Self Employment Opportunities Project.