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. Our goal is to reduce barriers to as many people as possible in the physical environment, customer service and communications. This includes new multilingual services and assistive communication technologies. Learn more about Markham's accessibility initiatives.
Recognizing the outstanding contributions of businesses, public institutions and individuals who are champions for accessibility.
The Markham Accessibility Award was created to assist Markham Council in approving opportunities for people with disabilities by promoting the implementation of “Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act” (AODA). In support of this, the Committee aims to make Markham a fully accessible community. It believes that this can only happen with the help of outstanding contributions of businesses, public institutions and individuals in this area. Sharing and rewarding community success stories will encourage others to make their own accessibility contributions. Nominate a business, public institution, or individual from our community and together let’s make Markham fully accessible by 2025!
Who can be nominated?
(Businesses and institutions being nominated must be located in Markham. Individuals being nominated must: reside in Markham; previously live in Markham for a minimum of 5 years or currently work or volunteer in Markham.)
An exceptional business or public institution that has made improvements that will have a positive impact on its disabled students, customers or employees
Examples: 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, changed its programming to be more inclusive to persons with a disability, or provides excellent customer service to persons with a disability.
An individual that has provided outstanding support and helped remove barriers for a person with a disability
Examples: provides an outstanding support system to a person with a disability, such as a spouse, parent, teacher or neighbour who has helped a disabled person be more independent or overcome barriers; raised funds to help a person with a disability be more independent; or invented something that will improve the lives of persons with disabilities.
A person with a disability who is a role model, and has broadly contributed to the betterment of their community and to the lives of persons with disabilities.
Examples: a person who is born with a disability or a person who became disabled later in life who has contributed broadly to our community or to any community.
If you require additional information regarding these awards, please contact Laura Gold by phone at 905.477.7000 extension 4930 or by email at lgold@markham.ca.
Awards Presentation
The 2019 Markham Accessibility Awards will be presented on September 26, 2019 at Markham Civic Centre (101 Town Centre Boulevard) in the Council Chambers at 7:00 PM at the Community Recognition Meeting.
On September 24, 2018, these Markham businesses and individuals were recognized for their support of accessibility.
2018 Accessibility Award Winners
Business Category
Business Category
Organization
Names
Reason for Winning the Award
Address
Phone
Nominator
Non-Profit Organization
Hand over Hand Community Organization
Being awarded for developing peer driven affordable programs for youth with developmental disabilities in York Region.
Established in 2005 by local high school students in Markham.
Programs include: Pen Pals, adaptive yoga, social groups and parent social groups.
73 Spanhouse Crescent, Markham, Ontario, L3R 4E2
647.406.2580 (Melissa) and 416.722.5035 (Anna)
Laura Meffen 61 Lincoln Green Drive, Markham, Ontario, L3P 1R6 416.903.8541 laura.meffen@gmail.com
Customer Service
Individual
Laura
Being awarded for providing excellent customer service to a person with a disability.
5000 Highway 7, Markville Shopping Centre, Markham, Ontario, L3P 7G6
905.477.0080
Jacqueline Bell 63 Havagal Crescent, Markham, Ontario, L3P 7G6 jmedbell@gmail.com
Education
Cornell Village Public School
Scott Chin, Principal
Being awarded for making students with disabilities see themselves as no different than other students enabling kids to believe in themselves and achieve their goals. Some examples include:
Provided positive awareness and a proactive approach on issues surrounding disability;
adding automatic door openers to the school office;
Discussing accessibility, inclusiveness and school life transition strategies with parents, students, and teachers;
Modifying games so that a student with a physical disability could participate;
Breaking down barriers by taking an individual approach to overcoming disabilities with the school;
Provided height appropriate tables and chairs;
Provided smart computers and other tools;
Making it possible for kids with disabilities to go on field trips with the rest of the class, including a trip to Ottawa
Arlene Juanillo 94 Whites Hill Avenue, Markham, Ontario, L6B ICI
Public Institution
Markham Souffville Hospital
Be awarded for its accessibility initiatives and its commitment to improving the accessibility of Markham Stouffville Hospital. Some of its initiatives include:
Having an active Advisory Committee on Accessibility that promotes a barrier free hospital;
Partnering with Community Living York South, which provides support to people with intellectual disabilities by providing their clients with the opportunity to contribute to society by volunteering at the hospital;
Have accessible telephones and payphones;
Have accessible call bells;
Lowered microwave in cafeteria so that patrons with a wheelchair can use it;
Have pocket talkers to support individual with a hearing impairment by providing amplified sound;
Marking in the parking lots have been repainted to better identify walkways for safety and accessibility;
Enhanced accessibility features have been made to elevators;
Installed 12 new automatic door openers;
Launched new website in 2018 to meet AODA and WCAG 2.0 level AA compliance;
Trained staff on accessible customer service.
381 Church Street, Markham, Ontario, L3P 7P3
905.472.7022
Maria Pavone 381 Church Street, Markham, Ontario, L3P 7P3 mpavone@msh.on.ca
Individual Category — Disabled Person
Names
Reason for Winning the Award
Address
Phone
Nominator
Danny Leung
Being awarded for being a disabled person who has contributed broadly to society, and for providing outstanding support to other persons with a disability. Danny lost his sight when he was in high school. He is friendly, independent and can do just about anything. Some of his accomplishments include:
Manages the Cultural Café;
Provides accessible technological training at the Cultural Café to improve the lives of it participants;
Provides information and support to different cultural groups in their own languages;
Provides workshops and preaches at churches in the GTA as a pastor;
Attended University of Manitoba’s Computers for the Blind program, certified as a Novel Network Engineer, licensed as a Reflexologist, certified as a Life Skills Coach, certified in Project Management, and completed training in Theology, Social Work, and Biblical Counselling.
Cory Weber, San Lorenzo Childcare Centre, Community Hub Supervisor
Being awarded for going above and beyond her duty as a child care provider to provide affordable, quality, and inclusive child care to children with disabilities. Cory Weber Accepted two children with intellectual disabilities into an afterschool child care program at same price as other children when other child care providers would either not accept these children or charge an astronomical fee.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 2018, the Markham Accessibility Fair was held 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.
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.
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 [PDF] to learn more.
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.
We want everyone to feel welcome at the City of Markham! That’s why diversity is one of our seven strategic priorities. It’s also why we’ve put together a Diversity Action Plan.
Diversity is one of Markham's seven strategic priorities and we strive to develop and maintain an environment where everyone feels welcome to participate and where respect and acceptance is practiced in words and actions by all. We believe in integration and equitable access for residents, visitors, and employees.
Since the launch of our Diversity Action Plan, the City has continued to demonstrate leadership as it embeds diversity and inclusion into our planning and design, our processes and policies and our staff training and education. We are also committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by meeting the accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
January 2018 Markham Council agreed to the wording of the Indigenous Land Acknowledgement.
Written by the Diversity Lead with consultation among various Indigenous partners and finalized by the City’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT). The Mayor now opens Council meetings with a reminder to people about the respect owed to Indigenous Communities
Reminds us of the settler/colonial history of Canada
Models appropriate behaviour of acknowledging history and leading while remembering
Fulfills a requirement under the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations
Supports Markham’s authentic initiatives/partnerships with Eabametoong First Nations, Aanin Community Centre and demonstrates respect for the values inherent in our Diversity Action Plan, “Everyone Welcome.”
Allows for diversity of thought that includes values of collectivist communities – models diverse ways of doing, for example when repeating the Land Acknowledgment, references oral traditions and allows for the sentiment to be committed to memory
Connects to our Canadian Coalitions of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination (CCMARD) to “promote respect understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity and the inclusion of Aboriginal and racialized communities into the cultural fabric of the municipality.
We begin today by acknowledging that we walk upon the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples and we recognize their history, spirituality, culture, and stewardship of the land. We are grateful to all Indigenous groups for their commitment to protect the land and its resources and we are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.
September 2018
Emerging from the work of the Community Partnership Council chaired by Mayor Scarpitti, the inclusion charter model was identified as an effective way to respond positively to rapidly changing demographics and welcome immigrants. As this idea progressed, the Diversity and Inclusion sub group added that Diversity was inclusive of immigrants and other groups and thus the charter ought to be for all
In 2016, the York Region Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group (MDIG) was formed to develop the Inclusion Charter
MDIG is co-chaired by York Region and York Regional Police and includes members from local municipalities, hospitals, school boards, agencies, conservation authorities and the United Way Greater Toronto.
The City of Markham finalized its charter in September 2018, which will govern staff behaviour and City responsibility
The City of Markham has long benefited from the partnership of York Regional Police to permit City staff to go on their Places of Worship tours with new recruits. In 2018, Fire began working with the Diversity Lead designed a pilot to bring new Fire Recruits and eventually City staff to local places of worship to ensure that they were prepared to respectfully serve a diverse demographic.
The City continues to try to acknowledge the needs of diverse communities. Our Civic Centre Universal washrooms are large enough to have a mother and children in the space, equipped with change tables so any parent can change their child, with grab bars, emergency buttons and the required turning radius for wheelchair users. We have labelled the washroom to promote inclusion, the legislated accessibility icons and braille as well as a statement of “all genders welcome” to be inviting to trans communities.
2018 was the second time the City of Markham organized a Citywide tour for our newest immigrants from both the welcome centres
Participants learned about governance, visited Angus Glen Community centre and library went to the Varley and Unionville Depot and had time to visit YRP Station number 5.
These three websites below will provide you with some insights into Aboriginal culture and values, and the history and impact of residential schools. Click on the title to open a new window
Maytree's Committed to reducing poverty and inequality in Canada and to building strong civic communities.
TRIEC Campus Join and learn about working with diverse cultures, generations, languages.
Cities of Migration Provides best practices on inclusion from cities worldwide.
CMARD Toolkit Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD) Toolkit.
Community Librarian - Settlement and Newcomers Cheryl Marcus, Markham's Community Librarian, is committed to providing the assistance, services and resources that help newcomers and their families adapt to their new community and workforce, build a better life, and achieve their full potential. We want those new to Markham to feel welcomed and supported, so that they are engaged and participating in our vibrant community.
Settlement.org A helpful resource for new immigrants, providing useful information about health care, housing and laws in Ontario and Canada.
Welcome Centre Markham's two Welcome Centres are focused on integrating new immigrants.
Hiring Immigrants A series of short video that follow a new immigrant named Tarek through his employment in a Canadian organization.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
P Flag York Region's LGBT resource, education and support network - Support meetings are held every fourth Tuesday of the month.
Women
Ontario Women's Justice Network Resource to support women seeking information on legal issues. Markham has completed its legislated Bill 168 training which reiterates the employee and organizational responsibility to maintain a violence and harassment free workplace.
Strive Booklets Tools to support youth in finding jobs, getting connections, finding housing, understanding sexual orientation and gender identity and more.
The Diversity Action Plan was developed through extensive public consultation and contains 68 recommendations that will further strengthen our commitment towards inclusion and celebrating our diversity.
With that goal in mind, the Plan paid particular attention to the needs of four communities of focus; youth, newcomers and visible minorities, seniors and persons with disabilities.
Markham Council approved the Diversity Action Plan on June 15, 2010.
Engage Markham’s diverse communities and foster a greater understanding of diversity across Markham through community partnerships.
Four City Advisory Committees focused on diversity
Partnerships with York Region Police, Boards of Education, Maytree Foundation, Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), York Region Immigration Strategy, Council of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination
Enhancing Markham's boards and committees.
Winner of the Maytree Foundation’s Diversity in Governance Award
Board and Committee Appointment Policy in place
Find ways to make Markham services more accessible.
New single stall, universal washrooms in the Civic Centre
Multilingual services at contact centre, a communication line and our own volunteer staff interpreters
Enhanced accessibility seating at Flato Markham theatre
Develop an effective communications plan.
Revised information present on Portal and added demographic data including ward specific data based on 2011 census information.
Ongoing consideration of diverse promotion techniques
Engage and educate Markham staff.
Currently conducting mandatory Diversity and Inclusion training across the organization.
Ongoing staff workshops on topics such as: Hinduism, Chinese Culture, Abrahamic Religions, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Communities.
Questions?
If you have questions or comments about the Diversity Action Plan, please contact Cheryl McConney-Wilson, Diversity Specialist, City of Markham, at 905.477.7000 extension 2557 or email CMcConney-Wilson@markham.ca.
In 2011, the City of Markham received recognition under the 
The Markham 
The City continues to try to acknowledge the needs of diverse communities. Our Civic Centre Universal washrooms are large enough to have a mother and children in the space, equipped with change tables so any parent can change their child, with grab bars, emergency buttons and the required turning radius for wheelchair users. We have labelled the washroom to promote inclusion, the legislated accessibility icons and braille as well as a statement of “all genders welcome” to be inviting to trans communities.
History