Access Awareness Week, May 29 - June 4

Raising awareness and removing barriers is the objective of Access Awareness week, which takes place from May 29 to June 4 in Nova Scotia.

Access Awareness Week is held each year to celebrate the way in which Nova Scotians have embraced accessibility and to generate awareness about ways to remove barriers for people with disabilities.

This year's theme, Accessibility for All: Raising Awareness -- Removing Barriers, will be recognized at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 31, celebrating the 18th annual Access Awareness Week.

"Nova Scotia is committed to removing barriers -- barriers to meaningful employment, to fulfilling hopes and dreams, and physical barriers that prevent people from full participation in the community," said David Morse, Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons Commission. "Together we can make our communities more inclusive and accessible."

Access Awareness Week is organized by the Partnership for Access Awareness Nova Scotia. This community-based organization promotes inclusion and equal participation of all Nova Scotians with disabilities as full citizens within communities, through public awareness, education and community partnerships.

The Disabled Persons Commission works closely with the partnership during this week. "The commission works to make Nova Scotia a more accessible place," said Burke MacCallum, acting executive director of the commission. "Nova Scotia is a better place when citizens have full access and full participation in community life. The skills and talents that Nova Scotians with disabilities have to contribute are endless."

Each year, three individuals or organizations are recognized with a Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Award, for their work in improving access. This year, John Kyle of Pictou, Anna Quon of Dartmouth, and Lilith Finkler of Halifax will receive the award at a June 1 forum on accessibility. The forum will be held at 12:30 p.m. at the University of King's College, Halifax.

The award is named after Mel Hebb -- a devoted Nova Scotian advocate for accessibility. Several scholarships will also be awarded to students with disabilities who have demonstrated community involvement and academic excellence.

For more information visit the website at http://accessawareness.nsnet.org/aaweek.html , or contact the Disabled Persons Commission at 902-424-8280, toll-free at 1-800-565-8280, or TTY at 902-424-2667 or 1-877-996-9954.

NOTE: Activities to be held during Access Awareness Week include:

Monday, May 30 - Thursday, June 2

• Islands Consolidated, Weymouth Consolidated and Digby Elementary School students will hold "Disability for a Day." Students will experience what it's like to have a disability for the day, then reflect upon the experience.

Tuesday, May 31

• Employment equity session, Truro Branch, Colchester-East Hants Regional Library , 754 Prince St., from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Motivational presentation by Lee Ann Dalling, an accomplished national and international athlete, at North Nova High School.
• Proclamation and Scholarship Award Ceremony, Red Chamber, Province House, Halifax, 10 a.m.

Wednesday, June 1

• Mel Hebb Hourglass Actions Awards presentation with Community Services Minister David Morse. Forum, Accessibility of Nova Scotia's Health Services for Persons with Disabilities, 12:30 p.m., University of King's College, Halifax.
• Learning disabilities information session for teachers and guidance counsellors with Nova Scotia Community College instructor Lorraine Mockford, teachers and guidance counsellors welcome.; 1 Birch St., Digby, at 1 p.m.
• Access awareness display, Halifax Public Library, Spring Garden Road, Halifax.

Friday, June 3

• Employability Partnership open house barbecue and scholarships award ceremony, Sydney, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.