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Ovation Awards 2006 |
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Three organizations win BC Rehab's Standing Ovation AwardCanadian Forces Sailing Association, General Motors Place and IKEA go extra distance to accommodate physically disabled Vancouver, BC (October 17, 2006) – From wheelchair-accessible shopping carts to wheel-in showers to help sailors with disabilities warm up after a cold day on the ocean, three British Columbia organizations have helped improve the lives of people with physical disabilities. 
In recognition of their initiatives, IKEA Coquitlam, General Motors Place and Canadian Forces Sailing Association, Esquimalt Squadron were presented with BC Rehab Foundation's annual Standing Ovation Award at a luncheon today in Vancouver. They won in the Retail, Entertainment and Sports categories respectively. The winners were selected by BC Rehab's advisory committee board, each of whom has been through rehab. Helping BC Rehab's chair Ian Muirhead make the presentation was Walter Lawrence, a registered rehab professional at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.  
“These three organizations really have gone the extra mile to improve the lives of others,” said Muirhead. “At BC Rehab, our mission is to celebrate and support people with disabilities in their determined efforts to strive towards their own form of independence. And these corporate citizens obviously share in our spirit and determination. We thank them and honour them for their initiatives.” The luncheon was emceed by Global Television's Wayne Cox. Guests were shown brief videos that highlighted the innovations implemented by each of the award winners. 
At General Motors Place, the unique building design allows full access for guests with special needs and disabilities. The entrance is designed for easy access to the building, parking and transportation. Pay phones and bank machines have been lowered for people in wheelchairs and scooters; drink holders have been added to all accessible seating areas. Staff and volunteers at General Motors Place go out of their way to accommodate everyone equally and to ensure a comfortable and entertaining experience. The award was presented to Harvey Jones, VP and general manager of General Motors Place, by Derek Vettese of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. 
Canadian Forces Sailing Association, Esquimalt Squadron has accommodated disabled sailors since 1993, working closely with the Disabled Sailing Association of BC, Victoria Branch. Among the facilities and services provided by the CFSA are convenient moorage for DSABC boats; seven transfer station lifts to safely transfer sailors with disabilities to their boats; a wheelchair ramp; accessible washrooms; state-of-the-art change room and shower facilities, which enable a sailor to wheel into a roll-in shower, transfer to a fold-down seat and use a handheld shower. The award was presented to Lieutenant (N) John Palle, treasurer, of the Esquimalt Squadron of the CFSA, by Margaret Lanthier of Genus Capital Management.
IKEA Coquitlam offers a myriad of facilities, including wheelchair-accessible shopping carts; wheelchairs for customer use; accessible water fountains; lowered phones; a fire Safe Zone with an emergency chair to move people safely outside the store; a Quiet Room in the store; and many safety features including, in Accessible and Family washrooms, emergency call buttons, handrails, tactile and non-slip floors. IKEA employs a number of people with disabilities; staff facilities include wheel-in showers and fully accessible washrooms. There is easily accessible parking for staff and public. The award was presented to Darren Hansen, deputy store manager of IKEA Coquitlam, by Randall Mountainof TD Canada Trust.
“Vancouver is one of the most accessible cities in the world,” said Lawrence. “These award recipients, along with organizations like BC Rehab, are helping to make this city and province even more liveable, and I commend them for their efforts.”
BC Rehab was created in 1994 with a mission to support people with disabilities province-wide through education, research, arts, recreation, and wellness programs. The foundation's efforts are entirely supported through gifts from individual donors, businesses, and organizations of British Columbia and beyond. A planned giving program is also in place. Each year BC Rehab allocates hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of people living with disabilities throughout the province. BC Rehab is the only non-profit registered charity that supports, through advocacy and funding, adults and adolescents with a broad range of physical disabilities, including spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury, amputation, heart attack, stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis, polio, cerebral palsy, severe burns and neuromuscular disorder. Kathy Scalzo, chair of the Standing Ovation Awards, thanked sponsors for their generous support and also acknowledged the hard work and contributions of the advisory committee – Brad Jacobsen (chair), Teri Thorson, Vivian Garcia and Marni Abbott.    
“We often say that disability isn't an elite club. At any time any one of us can join,” said Scalzo, pointing out that approximately 15 percent of the province’s population lives with a disability. |
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