York leads the way on access for people with disabilities

By Beverly Else

York University President Lorna Marsden accepts the Corporate Award of the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons from the Honorable H.N.R. Jackman, gala honorary patron (left) and Peter C. Godsoe, Chair and CEO of Scotia Bank, gala honorary co-Chair.

For the first time in its award-giving history, The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons has bestowed a university - York University - with a national corporate award for its contribution to furthering the cause of full participation for people with physical disabilities.

York was honoured on February 13, 1999 at the Great Valentine Gala Corporate Awards dinner for its commitment to creating an inclusive environment accommodating the needs of students, staff and faculty with physical disabilities. The University's annual on-campus campaign "Disabled and Proud: Raising Awareness Together", which celebrates the abilities and accomplishments of people with disabilities in the face of daily challenges, will also be sited for its role in shaping public awareness about the problems and potential of this population. Canadian Airlines International also received a corporate award.

York University, which has more than 1,000 students registered with its Special Needs Offices, was chosen for the award after donor research revealed that it is the most accessible university in the country.

Foundation Chair Vim Kochhar donated $15,000 - which will be matched by the Ontario government's Ontario Student Opportunities' Trust Fund - to provide three undergraduate students with physical disabilities, with $10,000 bursaries each, in the Foundation's name. The endowed donation will also provide for three annual $500 bursaries in perpetuity.

"York University is deeply honoured to accept this award, which reflects some of York's best values - its commitment to making an excellent education accessible to everyone ready to take on the academic challenge," said York's President Lorna Marsden. "I salute the pioneering efforts of York's leaders in this field, in particular the dedication of Associate Vice-President for Student Affairs Cora Dusk, who, together with Karen Swartz and Marc Wilchesky, has made our University more accommodating for students with disabilities, and more enriched for all of us."

Marsden also thanked the Foundation, and its Chair, Vim Kochhar, for their tenacious and tireless commitment to the cause and for their acknowledgment of York University's contribution.

"We are very impressed with the programs and facilities offered by York, and with the leadership role it has taken," said Kochhar. "York University has become a role model for other universities in Canada."

Some of York's services, which are delivered through the Office for Persons with Disabilities, the Learning Disabilities Program, Able York, and ACCESS YORK, include: