The BC Rehab Foundation is a registered Canadian Charity supporting people with physical disabilities. People with physical disabilities are among our friends, family members, co-workers and respected leaders. At BC Rehab we are committed to closing the gaps between people with and without disabilities. We believe it's ability not disability that counts. clips

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BC Rehab has opened its nominations for the "Standing Ovation" Awards to the public throughout British Columbia for the first time. The "Standing Ovation" Award was created in 2001 in order to acknowledge companies and organizations that have "gone the extra mile" for people with physical disabilities. An Advisory Committee for BC Rehab Foundation, comprised of people with physical disabilities, selects and nominates the winners of this prestigious award. This year the Advisory Committee asks the public in all regions and communities to nominate an organization, company or individual that they feel has integrated, consulted, supported and created barrier free environments for people with physical disabilities. Nominations can be made under seven categories: Transportation, Arts, Retail, Sport and Recreation, Tourism, Media and Individual. Criteria in each category are based on accessibility, integration and awareness. Deadline for nominations is May 31, 2008. Last years winners were Hugh Tollett, Whistler for the Disabled, Douglas College - New Westminster campus and The Home Depot, Saanich. When Hugh Tollett lost his hearing, he didn't lose his passion for one of his favourite places in the world ? Whistler, BC. He did however start to notice that Whistler was not as accessible for people with disabilities as he thought it could be. Hugh began to work towards improving accessibility in Whistler, as well as providing information about accessibility to people with disabilities. The result - an amazing website that has become a comprehensive resource for anyone with a disability who wants to visit Whistler - www.whistlerforthedisabled.com . Accessibility has always been a mission for Douglas College in New Westminster. This year's winner in the Institutional Category, Douglas College has built accessibility into the planning process and they continue to work on ensuring that everyone at the college - students, teachers and staff - can participate fully in the life of the college. This has meant focusing on every aspect of accessibility from the heights of desks and counters, to providing alternative types of signage such as tactile "signs" and strobe lighting for emergencies. "Winning this award means an awful lot to Douglas College," says Ted James, Dean of Student Development. "To us, accessibility means being able to help people with a diverse range of backgrounds to be able to access the opportunities that education provides." Inclusion is key at The Home Depot stores across Canada, but this year The Home Depot outlet in Saanich has been singled out for its efforts to support accessibility, not just for customers but for employees too. Every effort is made to make it easy for people with all types of disabilities to shop and work at The Home Depot. In addition, The Home Depot frequently takes on community projects improving accessibility, such as building ramps and handrails for community organisations. "By improving accessibility, more people are able to enter the workforce," says The Home Depot store manager, Kevin Hale. "At The Home Depot, we want to make it easier for people to access the building to shop, but we also want to make it easier for people with all types of disabilities to be a member of our associate family and work at our store. These people can be a real asset to our business." For more information on the criteria for nominations, or to nominate an organization, company or individual in your community, please contact Trynka at BC Rehab 604-737-6383. Please click here to download the Criteria Checklist in pdf format.

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