A number of Centretown organizations were honoured this week for their contributions to people with disabilities.
The eighth annual Celebration of People Awards honours individuals and organizations which have made a positive impact in the lives of people with disabilities in the Ottawa community
The award for accessibility by design, given to a recipient who shows the most initiative and innovation in designing buildings accessible to all individuals, went to Watson and MacEwan Architects for their collaboration with the Supreme Court of Canada.
The Lisgar Street-based architecture firm received the award for its courtroom modernization project, which allows the lectern to be adjusted by hydraulic lift so that lawyers with disabilities are given the opportunity to argue their cases in an equal manner.
The other finalist for the award, also a Centretown-based architecture firm, KWC Architects, which was nominated for its collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Science and Architecture in redesigning the entry sequence to the museum.
The second Centretown award winner was Good Day Workshop Programs Inc., which won the Volunteer Opportunities Award. The organization, which is located on Bronson Avenue, was honoured for its work in welcoming people unemployed due to their disabilities and teaching them to repair and refinish furniture. The program was said to be a productive and confidence building experience in the lives of its volunteers, who are given an opportunity to give back to the community.
The other finalist for this award was the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, which takes place at LeBreton Flats. The Bluesfest was honoured for its volunteer opportunities for people with and without disabilities, and for its dedication in ensuring that all its volunteer registration and orientation were easily accessible for all.
The awards were presented in front of an audience of close to 500 people, including Rob Chiarelli, Ottawa’s deputy mayor, and former Ottawa mayor Jacquelin Holzman, who was also a honourary co-chair. Overall, 13 individuals and organizations were honoured. The event was held on the UN-designated International Day of Persons with Disabilities.