EmployABILITY Awards


"Celebrating Successes in Employment for People with Disabilities"

The EmployABILITY Awards recognize:

- People who, despite a substantial barrier to employment, successfully obtained and maintained competitive employment.
- Businesses and employers for their efforts in removing barriers and hiring people with disabilities.
- Service providers for their commitment to move persons with disabilities from job preparation to job placements.
- Volunteers who give their time to assist persons with disabilities and the removal of barriers.
- Media personalities and/or groups that promote stories on either individuals with disabilities or businesses that have made their premises accessible.



2012 EmployABILITY Awards nomination packages now available, click here for details



More detailed information can be found about each gala below:
2011 EmployABILITY Awards
2010 EmployABILITY Awards
2009 EmployABILITY Awards
2008 EmployABILITY Awards

With support from the Ontario Disability Support Program, DREN would also like to thank the following organizations for their generous sponsorships for the EmployABILITY Awards over the years.

Manufacturing and Technology Centre
Durham Region Local Training Board
Durham Region Police Services Board
Northern Lights Canada
Durham College

2011 EmployABILITY Awards - "Collectively Committed to Making a Difference"



This year was the 10th Anniversary of the EmployABILITY Awards Gala. The event was held on June 1, 2011 at Tosca Banquet and Conference Centre.

The evening featured a special awards ceremony hosted by Ken Shaw, MC Don Pitman and entertainment by Timothy McCallum, along with an address from The Honorable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services for Ontario.



2011 EmployABILITY Award Photos

2011 EmployABILITY Awards Booklet

SNAP Oshawa EmployABILITY Awards Article



EmployABILITY Winners

Doug Notton
Nominated by: Northern Lights Canada
Employer: Walmart

Jason Hancock
Nominated by: Northern Lights Canada
Employer: ATL Industries

Samantha Reid
Nominated by: Community Living Oshawa/Clarington
Employer: A Stones Throw Pub & Grill

Innovation Award Winner

Johnathon Boville

Volunteer Citizenship Award Winners

Alison McCullough
Liz Onley-Wiseman

Media Award Winner

Paul Dobbs

Region of Durham Accessibility Award Winners

Paul Feldman
Bibles For Missions Thrift Store
Durham Medical
Immaculate Conception Catholic School
Durham Region Transit

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2010 EmployABILITY Awards



On June 1st the Durham Region Employment Network held the 9th Annual EmployABILITY Awards Gala at the Tosca Banquet Hall in Oshawa.

The evening featured singer-song writer Justin Hines, local television host and community leader Garth Riley, CTV News personality Ken Shaw and an address from The Honorable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services for Ontario.



2010 EmployABILITY Award Photos

2010 EmployABILITY Awards Booklet


EmployABILITY Winners

Robert (Bob) Hill
Nominated by: Northern Lights Canada
Employer: Tim Hortons, Brooklin

Jordan Hill
Nominated by: Northern Lights Canada
Employer: Home Depot, Pickering

Reanna Lucas
Nominated by: Northern Lights Canada
Employer: LW Stores, Ajax

Innovation Award Winners

Tutorwiz Education Centre
Durham College’s Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE) Program

Volunteer Citizenship Award Winner

Grant Hedges - The Participation House Project Durham Region

Media Award Winner

Ian McMillan - Oshawa this Week

Region of Durham Accessibility Award Winners

The Dark Horse Art Gallery
Frenchman's Bay Yacht Club
Grandview Children's Centre
Linos Vino
Municipality of Clarington and Port Perry Canadian Tire

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2009 EmployABILITY Awards



On May 25th the Durham Region Employment Network (DREN) held the EmployABILITY Awards Gala at the Tosca Banquet Hall in Oshawa.
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 the awards ceremony where twelve employees were recognized as nominees for an EmployABILITY award along with their employer and employment agency.


2009 EmployABILITY Awards Photos

2009 EmployABILITY Awards Booklet



EmployABILITY Winners

Janet Dick
Nominated by: Avocation Employment Alliance of Durham
Employer: Royal Bank Financial Group

Donald Smith
Nominated by: Northern Lights Canada
Employer: East Side Mario’s Oshawa

Kamal Kishor
Nominated by: Challenging Directions Whitby Mental Health Centre
Employer: Tim Hortons Oshawa

Innovation Award Winner

Terri Gray for “Dewey’s Café”

Volunteer Citizenship Award Winners

Miriam Beach
Frank Murphy

Region of Durham Accessibility Award Winners

Bowmanville GoodLife Fitness
Kathleen Matinlassi of Port Perry
Lafontaine Trading Post in Whitby
City of Oshawa

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2008 EmployABILITY Awards





EmployABILITY Winners

Eric Bunton
Nominated by: Community Living Oshawa/Clarington
Employer: Newcastle I.G.A.

Holly Dignan
Nominated by: Northern Lights Canada
Employer: YMCA Oshawa

Matthew Cannon
Nominated by: Northern Lights Canada
Employer: Lakeridge Hospital

Innovation Award Winner

Manufacturing Technology Centre

Volunteer Citizenship Award Winner

Jutta Genova, Learning Disabilities Association

Media Award Winner

Lesley Bovie, Metroland

Region of Durham Accessibility Award Winners

Sobey’s Ajax – Nominated by the Ajax AAC
Blue Line Tax – Nominated by the Oshawa AAC
Whitby Public Library - Nominated by the Whitby AAC
McDonalds Port Perry - Nominated by the Scugog AAC

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DOCUMENTS   (These documents will open in a new window.)

    2008 EmployABILITY Awards

    LINKS   (These will open in a new window.)

      2009 EmployABILITY Awards

      2010 EmployABILITY Awards