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Markham Accessibility Awards
Recognizing the outstanding contributions of businesses, public institutions and individuals
who are champions for accessibility.
Nominations are now closed.
Download the nomination form here: Nomination Form (PDF).
Awards will be presented at Community Recognition Night on Monday, September 24 | 7 p.m. | Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Blvd. (Council Chamber)
The purpose of the Markham Accessibility Award is to work together to promote a fully accessible Markham by recognizing and encouraging outstanding contributions of businesses, public institutions and individuals in the area of accessibility.
Award Objectives
To encourage businesses to make their businesses accessible and to employ people with a disability;
To increase awareness of the valuable contribution caregivers, and people working or volunteering to help people with a disability make to our community;
To increase awareness regarding the valuable contributions persons with a disability make in our society;
To increase the awareness of the importance of making Markham fully accessible.
Types of Nominees Being Recognized
1) An exceptional business or public institution in Markham that:
Has made improvements that will have a positive impact on its disabled students, customers or employees;
Hires full or part time employees with disabilities;
Made accommodations to allow a newly disabled employee to continue working;
Made a capital investment that improves the accessibility of their business;
Invented something that improves the lives of persons with a disability;
changed its programming to be more inclusive to persons with a disability or to them excel;
Provides excellent customer service to persons with a disability.
2) Individuals that provide outstanding support to a person with a disability that reside in Markham; previously lived in Markham for a minimum of five years; work in Markham, or volunteer in Markham., including:
Parents
Spouses
Teachers
Neighbours
Care Givers
Volunteers
Co-Worker
Accessibility is everyone's responsibility
Markham is committed to ensuring that all residents have full and equal access to its facilities, services and information. Accessibility makes it possible for people with all levels of ability to take advantage of everything Markham has to offer.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
In 2008, the Government of Ontario launched the accessible customer service standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Its goal is to ensure that people with disabilities get the same level of customer service as everyone else.
The law requires that all public and private sector organizations in Ontario, including the City of Markham, identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessible customer service.
Markham has conducted extensive training of its staff, volunteers and suppliers to meet or exceed the standards.
Take a moment to read more about how Markham is working toward access for everyone.
Received Recognition: Excellence Canada-Ontario Accessibility Award
In 2011, the City of Markham received recognition under the Excellence Canada - Ontario Accessibility Awards program [PDF] for meeting and exceeding the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The City has reached out into the communities in which it serves to reinforce the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities. This has been accomplished by actively raising awareness about accessibility, implementing its own initiatives for all to benefit from, and inviting feedback to inform future planning and continuous improvement.
International Day of People with Disabilities-December 3
Every year on December 3rd, people around the world celebrate contributions of people with disabilities. First declared by the United Nations in 1992, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities draws attention to the many ways in which those with disabilities enrich our communities. The City of Markham proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Disabled Persons, a day to raise awareness and endorse measures to improve the situation of persons with disabilities and provide equal opportunities.
Accessibility Fair
Markham's Annual Accessibility Fair, presented by Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility, features local businesses and organizations that offer products and services to people with disabilities, seniors and residents who face barriers in their communities, and to their caregivers support persons. In 2013, the theme Move it! promoted an active and healthy lifestyle for people with disabilities through recreation and sports. In 2015, the Accessibility Fair was held at Markham's cutting edge PAN AM Centre, a host venue for Para Table Tennis at the 2015 Parapan Am Games.
This year, the Markham Accessibility Fair will be hosted at Applefest. The cost of admission is $8 per person and includes all activities/rides found at Applefest. Free for children under 2 years of age. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2CZbmkz
Assisted Waste & Recycling Collection Service
Markham's Assisted Waste & Recycling Collection Service is a no-cost program that promotes independent living and reduces the risk of injury to those in need of physical assistance.
If you are a Markham resident unable to place your waste and recycling materials at the curb due to a temporary or permanent physical disability, and do not have someone living with you to assist, apply for Markham's Assisted Waste/Recycling Collection Service.
Publications Accessibility
Alternate formats of City of Markham publications are available upon request. Contact 905-477-5530 or customerservice@markham.ca
City of Markham Accessibility Design Guidelines
The City of Markham intends to be a leader in developing accessible environments for all, embracing the principles of universal design and recognizing diversity, barrier removal, provincial directions and changing demographics. Download our Accessibility Design Guidelines to learn more.
Advisory Committee on Accessibility
The Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility advises Committee/Council on improving opportunities for persons with disabilities and reducing and/or eliminating accessibility barriers for all residents of the City of Markham.
In 2014, Current MACA co-chair Kristin Hayes was recognized at the 3rd Annual GTA Abilities Awards with the Citizenship Award.
Markham's Annual Accessibility Fair, presented by Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility, features local businesses and organizations that offer products and services to people with disabilities, seniors and residents who face barriers in their communities, and to their caregivers support persons. In 2013, the theme Move it! promoted an active and healthy lifestyle for people with disabilities through recreation and sports. In 2015, the Accessibility Fair was held at Markham's cutting edge PAN AM Centre, a host venue for Para Table Tennis at the 2015 Parapan Am Games.
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