Celebration of People Awards Presented to 13 Individuals and Organizations on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Ottawa, December 4, 2008 – The 8th annual Celebration of People Awards were presented Wednesday evening to 13 individuals and organizations that have made a lasting and positive difference in the lives of persons with disabilities in the Ottawa community.
Held on December 3rd, the UN-designated International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the awards event honoured people with disabilities whose personal example of excellence and contributions are helping to bust barriers and to better enable all citizens to realize their full potential. The awards also recognized other individuals and organizations opening doors for those with disabilities, and promoting an inclusive and equitable society.
The awards were presented at the Hampton Conference Centre before an audience of close to 500 people. Participants included Rick Chiarelli, Ottawa’s Deputy Mayor and Honourary Co-Chair Dennis Jackson, Vice President, Ottawa and West Quebec District, Scotiabank. The other Honourary Co-Chair of Celebration of People is former Ottawa Mayor Jacquelin Holzman.
2008 Award Recipients For 2008, a new award was launched, the Advocacy Award. It was presented to the late Agnes Wee and accepted by her son Robert. In future years, it will be known as the Advocacy Award in Memory of Agnes Wee.
Accessibility by Design Award Supreme Court of Canada Modernization Project – Watson McEwan Architects
Artistic Excellence Award Esther Reaffle
Career Award André Demers
Citizenship Award in Memory of Cathy Kerr Christine Murphy
Education Award Judy El-Hakim
Employee Award Madelyn Scanlan
Employer Award Dana Douglas Inc.
Hospitality and Tourism Award Ottawa Folk Festival
Sports Award Kathleen Forestell
Volunteer Award Samuel Fulton
Volunteer Opportunities Award Good Day Workshop Programs Inc.
Youth Award Alyse Benzvy Schacter
Media Contacts: Kathie Lynas, Celebration of People 613-850-7859, klynas@rogers.com
Jennifer Forbes, Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa 613-761-9796 x.233, jforbes@citizenadvocacy.org
