2023 Accessibility Awards

2023 Accessibility Awards

Recognizing those who make Calgary a better city for everyone!

The Advisory Committee on Accessibility (ACA), through their Annual Awards Program, celebrates and recognizes Calgarians who are improving the lives for persons with disabilities. Every year, the ACA awards those who have made incredible positive impacts in communities throughout the city.

The ACA sponsors these awards to raise awareness about disability and the importance of accessibility and universal design. Let's honour the hard work and dedication of these amazing people, groups, and organizations who are improving the quality of life for all Calgarians!

Annual Accessibility Awards

Nominations are now closed

Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations on behalf of individuals, groups and organizations who work hard to make Calgary a more inclusive and accessible place.

The winners will be notified on November 30th and announced on December 12.

Awards

Below you can find the different types of awards and the nomination requirements:

The Advocacy Award

This award is in honour of Christopher Gordon — a cherished husband, devoted son, brother, uncle, and nephew. Beyond his love and support for his family, he was a committed advocate for Albertans with visual impairments. Christopher channeled his passions into championing for accessibility with the ACA, sharing his positive insights through YouTube, authoring children's books, and engaging audiences through speaking events.

Objective:

The Advocacy Award recognizes an individual or group of people who have improved the quality of life for persons with disabilities and are advancing accessibility in Calgary.

Criteria:

  1. Describe how a Calgarian or group within Calgary has improved services for persons with disabilities and how these services have improved quality of life.
  2. Describe the personal contributions the nominee has made to create positive change through social action.
  3. Demonstrate how the nominee has worked with others to create change.

The Universal Design Award

The Universal Design Award celebrates individuals or groups who’ve made strides in improving access for people with disabilities in Calgary. This is awarded to those who’ve created better access to the physical environment, technology, or products.

Eligibility:

  1. Agencies or organizations (individuals or groups).
  2. Public or private initiatives.
  3. Projects located and/or created in Calgary.
  4. Newly constructed or renovated projects.
  5. Projects must be completed.

Criteria:

  1. Explain how the initiative helps those with vision, mobility, hearing or cognitive disabilities, with a focus on function and improved accessibility.
  2. Explain how the project exceeds Alberta Building Code (3.8) standards for accessibility, when applicable. For example: The City of Calgary’s Access Design Standards.
  3. Explain how accessibility and universal design features are integrated with overall project design.
  4. Explain how the initiative offers an inclusive experience.
  5. Explain how the project improved quality of life.

The Transportation & Mobility Award

The Transportation & Mobility Award honours those individuals or groups dedicated to enhancing how Calgarians navigate the city. By fostering a more accessible and inclusive environment, they help strengthen the sense of community and belonging for everyone—whether through a project, program, service or educational initiative. This award was created in memory of Ella Anderson, who served on the Advisory Committee on Accessibility with grace, style and commitment to people with disabilities.

Eligibility:

  1. Individuals, groups, public or private organizations or agencies.
  2. Projects, programs, or services that directly affect & improve access and movement in our city to be more inclusive of everyone.
  3. Projects, programs, or services that positively impact transportation & mobility for persons with disabilities. 

Criteria:

  1. Explain how this individual or group has gone above and beyond in making a difference. For submissions that impact physical infrastructure, reference how The City of Calgary’s Access Design Standards were met.
  2. Describe how a positive attitude, strong sense of teamwork and engaging others helped this person or group be successful.
undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null