“Celebrating Successes in Employment for People with Disabilities”
On May 25th the Durham Region Employment Network (DREN) held the EmployABILITY Awards Gala at the Tosca Banquet Hall in Oshawa. This very special evening celebrates the employment of persons with disabilities and recognizes people and organizations helping to remove barriers to employment.
After internationally renowned motivational speaker and blind athlete, Craig MacFarlane, inspired the audience as he spoke about his own personal experiences living with a disability, CTV News Anchor Ken Shaw hosted a moving awards ceremony where twelve employees were recognized as nominees for an EmployABILITY award along with their employer and employment agency. The three winners chosen were: Janet Dick working with Avocation Employment Alliance of Durham and employed by Royal Bank Financial Group; Donald Smith working with Northern Lights Canada and employed by East Side Mario’s Oshawa; and Kamal Kishor working with Challenging Directions Whitby Mental Health Centre and employed by Tim Hortons Oshawa.
Other significant awards presented were:
An Innovation Award – to recognize an innovative program that assists clients with barriers, in their quest to obtain employment - presented to Terri Gray for “Dewey’s Café” – located in the Bowmanville Public Library. Named after the Famous Dewey Decimal System – Dewey’s offers individuals with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to gain employment skills.
Two awards under the Volunteer Citizenship category were also presented. Miriam Beach, nominated by Epilepsy Durham Region, received an award for her outstanding contribution to students living with epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Frank Murphy, Executive Director for the Head Injury Association of Durham, received an award for his outstanding service to this organization and its clients since 1991.
Region of Durham Accessibility Awards that recognize individuals or businesses for achievements in removal of barriers that make our community and businesses more accessible were presented to four deserving recipients: Bowmanville GoodLife Fitness for removing barriers within their facility and taking measures to provide exceptional service to members with disabilities; Kathleen Matinlassi of Port Perry for special efforts that enhanced the quality of life for local nursing home residents and also brought the business community together; Lafontaine Trading Post for enhancing accessibility at their downtown Whitby store by removing a physical barrier to allow access for all, and the City of Oshawa for a long list of accessibility achievements that include both physical accessibility measures as well as specialized services.
