Back to SearchDo you know an individual or an organization who has worked to create opportunities and break down barriers for Ontarians with disabilities?
The Ontario Government's David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility remains open for nominations until February 26, 2021. This award recognizes Ontarians who have gone above and beyond to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
There are four award categories:
- Employee Engagement Award
- This award recognizes an employee or volunteer who creates opportunities and breaks down barriers for fellow employees or volunteers with disabilities.
- Role Model Award and
- This award recognizes an individual who advocates for positive change, inspires others and makes significant contributions to improving the overall quality of life for people with disabilities.
- Youth Leadership Award
- This award recognizes a young person, between 16 and 24 years old, who shows leadership and commitment to developing the potential of people with disabilities.
- Honour Roll Award
- This award recognizes an organization that shows leadership in integrating and providing barrier-free working conditions for people with disabilities and is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
The Employee Engagement, Role Model, and Youth Leadership categories are all individual awards, with each recipient receiving an award of $5,000.
The awards were created in 2014 to honour the province’s first Lieutenant Governor with a physical disability.
Who is eligible
Your nominee must be:
- a resident of Ontario (for individuals)
- registered in Ontario (for companies and organizations)
You cannot nominate:
- yourself
- someone who is deceased
- an elected politician currently in office
How to Nominate Someone
You need to mail a detailed form with your nominee’s information that includes:
- a description of your nominee’s achievements in leadership, breaking down barriers, creating opportunities or improving the quality of life for people with disabilities
- two or more signed testimonials from two different people (in addition to the nominator) who know and support your nominee’s achievements (not required for the Champion Award)
You can include other materials, such as news articles, if they give more insight into your nominee’s accomplishments.
You can only submit your nomination by mail at this time.
Nomination Deadline
The deadline has been extended to February 26, 2021.
If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, you can submit your nomination before 5 p.m. the next business day. If your nomination is received after the deadline, it will be considered for next year’s award.
Selection Process
An independent selection committee reviews each nomination and recommends who should receive the award.
Award Presentation
The awards will be presented at a ceremony in the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite at Queen’s Park during National Access Awareness Week at the end of May.
The recipient of the Champion Award is recognized by being placed on the Honour Roll and receives a certificate. The Employee Engagement, Role Model and Youth Leadership award recipients receive $5,000 each and personalized certificates.
For more information on the awards and how to nominate an accessibility leader by February 26th, 2021, visit David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility.
