Proclamation – National AccessAbility Week – May 31 – June 6, 2026

“Whereas under the Accessible Canada Act 2019, c.10 (Section 133), throughout Canada each year, the week starting on the last Sunday in May is to be known as National AccessAbility Week, and is an opportunity to promote accessibility and inclusion across communities and workplaces, and a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and to be inspired to further break down barriers; and

Whereas a national accessibility week was first established following Paralympian Rick Hanson’s Man in Motion World Tour in 1987; and

Whereas the County of Northumberland is committed to accessibility; and

Whereas for the week of May 31-June 6, 2026, the Northumberland Accessibility Advisory Committee (NAAC) approved a variety of awareness activities, in consultation with Communications; and

Whereas the theme of “Accessible Workplaces: Stronger Communities” encourages businesses to remove barriers for workers with disabilities and create inclusive workplaces; and

Whereas the six County staff named below were honoured with a “Helping Hands Award” to recognize their efforts at embracing accessibility by going above and beyond mere compliance with accessibility legislation:

Brenda McDonald, Customer Care Representative, Corporate Services

• For excellence under the AODA’s Customer Service Standard demonstrated by exceptional commitment to accessible, respectful and inclusive customer service and going above and beyond to ensure each person feels heard and supported. Brenda understands individual needs, offering alternate formats for information and personalized help in navigating municipal services. Brenda readily assists individuals with mobility restrictions, is clear and concise in her communication for those with hearing impairments, is respectful, without judgment, toward individuals experiencing life altering barriers, such as homelessness, addiction and cognitive impairments.

The ID Clinic Working Group is made up of the following staff:

Jeff Freeburn, Ontario Works Caseworker, Community and Social Services

Spring Wickett, Ontario Works Caseworker, Community and Social Services

Ashley Postma, Ontario Works Caseworker, Community and Social Services

Jane Anyaehie, Ontario Works Caseworker, Community and Social Services

Kathryn Larcher, Customer Service Representative, Community and Social Services

• For excellence under the AODA’s Customer Service Standard demonstrated by their exceptional commitment to breaking down barriers and advancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities and transforming a service gap into an inclusive model that restores dignity, independence and opportunity. The working group hosted an Identification Clinic at the Resource Centre in Campbellford, in partnership with Inclusion Northumberland, for more than 25 community members, many requiring individualized support to complete their applications to obtain essential identification such as birth certificates, health cards, or Ontario ID cards. Staff demonstrated exceptional patience, compassion, and expertise in guiding each person through the process and following up with participants to help them obtain their cards. This year, the ID clinics will be expanding to include 3 communities.

Now Therefore Be It Resolved That I, Warden Robert Crate, on behalf of Northumberland County Council do hereby proclaim May 31 to June 6, 2026, to be ‘National AccessAbility Week’ in Northumberland County.”