Proclamation - National AccessAbility Week, May 26 - June 1, 2024

Event: National AccessAbility Week 

Date: May 26 to June 1, 2024 

“Whereas under the Accessible Canada Act 2019, c. 10 (Section 133), throughout Canada each year, the week starting on the last Sunday in May is to be known as National AccessAbility Week, and is an opportunity to promote accessibility and inclusion across communities and workplaces, and a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and to be inspired to further break down barriers; and

Whereas a national accessibility week was first established following Paralympian Rick Hanson’s Man in Motion World Tour in 1987; and

Whereas the County of Northumberland is committed to accessibility; and

Whereas for the week of May 26 to June 1, 2024, the Northumberland Accessibility Advisory Committee (NAAC) approved a variety of awareness activities, in consultation with Communications; and

Whereas the theme of “Advocating for an inclusive Northumberland” raises awareness of that the inclusion of people with disabilities on the County’s accessibility advisory committee is essential to advocate for an inclusive Northumberland and amplify the voices of those with lived experience; and

Whereas the 7 County staff named below were honoured with a “Helping Hands Award” to recognize their efforts at embracing accessibility by going above and beyond mere compliance with accessibility legislation:

Cara Timmermans, Digital & Document Accessibility Specialist, Communications and Information Technology

• For excellence in Information and Communications demonstrated by greatly improving the accessibility of the County’s web content, training and supporting staff on accessible digital document creation, improving Council document accessibility, and conducting regular reviews of webpages and documents.

AJ Wood, Administrative Clerk, Golden Plough Lodge (GPL)

• For excellence in Customer Service demonstrated by going above and beyond to assist GPL residents, their families and staff with resolving issues. He spends time with residents and offers a helping hand to zip up coats, assist residents to exit and enter the building, and help residents to call their family members
• For excellence in Information and Communications demonstrated by going out of his way to help residents and families find information and working to update GPL documents to an accessible format.
• For excellence in Design of Public Spaces demonstrated by ensuring all areas in the front lobby and office areas provide clear pathways for residents who use walkers and wheelchairs.

Jen Glover, Manager Ontario Works, Community and Social Services

• For excellence in Information and Communications demonstrated by supporting staff in the development of accessible documents for our public facing websites and staff reports.
• For excellence in Design of Public Spaces by playing a pivotal role in providing recommendations on design options for Community and Social Services public and staff workspaces and advocating for solutions that foster inclusivity and accessibility.
• For excellence in Customer Service demonstrated by her commitment to accessibility standards and inclusive practices.

Ashley Postma, Jackie Diminie, Jaclyn McDougall, and Kathryn Larcher, Customer Service Representatives, Community and Social Services

• For excellence in Information and Communications demonstrated by their dedication in ensuring all CSS documents and web content are accessible to people of all abilities, actively participating in document remediation and collaborating to establish a streamlined process to manage a substantial volume of documents;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved That I, Warden Brian Ostrander, on behalf of Northumberland County Council, do hereby proclaim May 26 to June 1, 2024 to be ‘National AccessAbility Week’ in Northumberland County.”

Dated this 15th day of May, 2024