June 03, 2004

Four individuals, a group of staff from Whitemouth School, two businesses and a non-profit organization are being honoured for their work to improve the lives of people with disabilities, Christine Melnick, minister responsible for persons with disabilities, and Carol Polson, provincial co-ordinator of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, announced today.

The annual Manitoba Access Awareness Achievement Awards recognize people, organizations and businesses for their efforts to enhance the equality of people with disabilities and are co-sponsored by the Government of Manitoba and the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD). The awards are being presented at a ceremony at 5 p.m. today in the Dining Room (lower level) of the Legislative Building.

"It is a distinct pleasure to highlight the extraordinary work of these Manitobans to improve the lives of people with disabilities," said Melnick, who is also minister of family services and housing. "It is also gratifying to continue to partner with the disability community on our joint strategy to help ensure full citizenship for all Manitobans."

"We have an outstanding variety of individuals, organizations and businesses this year who have contributed to the equality of persons with disabilities throughout Manitoba," said Polson.

The award recipients are:

• Art Braid, a retired University of Manitoba professor of law, has dedicated countless volunteer hours towards equal opportunity for people with disabilities. He was a founding member of the Manitoba Paraplegia Foundation, has served on the board of the Canadian Paraplegic Association, was an originating member of the Institute for Barrier-Free Design, served as honorary chair of the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Manitoba tour and assisted in the development of the access portion of the Manitoba building code.

• Nancy Taylor, a resident in a personal care home in Minnedosa, found her disability prevented her from using the home’s bathing facilities. Realizing that she was not alone, she began fundraising in order to purchase a ‘stretcher tub’ so she and others could make use of the bathing facilities. Her hard work resulted in the needed funds being raised.

• Clarence Tillenius, nominated by the board of directors of Partners in the Park, is one of Canada’s foremost nature artists. Following a construction accident in which he lost his arm, he taught himself to paint with his other hand. The result has been a lifetime of famous works that are now on display at the Manitoba Museum, the Provincial Museum in Victoria, B.C., and the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. Tillenius is also a noted explorer and has lectured throughout the world. The MLPD also acknowledged his reputation as an excellent role model for people with disabilities.

• Dennis Zboril was nominated by the Town of Minnedosa for his achievements in the area of sport and recreation. He played defence on a hockey team that won a gold medal at the recent World Amputee Hockey Championships in Prague, the Czech Republic. He was also acknowledged as an excellent role model for people with disabilities.

• Seven educational assistants at Whitemouth School work with students with disabilities in a totally inclusive educational environment. They assist the students throughout each school day and organize and attend extra-curricular activities.

• The Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS) Arts Ability Project was launched in 2002 with the goal of encouraging people with disabilities to realize their creative abilities. Under the direction of Sue Proctor, program director, students participate in drama, comedy and other forms of art expression.

• For many years, the famous Paddlewheel Restaurant at The Bay in downtown Winnipeg has provided affordable meals and excellent service to local residents and visitors alike. Staff members go beyond their regular duties to assist people with disabilities so that they can enjoy their visits to the restaurant. They were nominated for doing business in an inclusive and respectful manner.

• Brett Young Seeds, a Manitoba company, was nominated for its inclusion of people with disabilities in its workforce and for providing them with enhanced training. Over the past four years, the company has employed persons with disabilities and currently two individuals from the LifeWorks Program work there.

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