TORONTO, January 11, 1996: The fifth annual Access Awareness Week will be held at York University from January 23 to 27. The goal of Access Awareness Week is to promote increased awareness of issues faced in society by persons with disabilities, and to correct some impressions that able-bodied people may have about persons with disabilities, organizers say.

The organizing committee for the week has been set up by Access York, a group which advises the university on the needs of persons with disabilities. Organizing committee members include staff and students from all areas of the university, as well as from ABLE-York -- a student organization which promotes the rights of students with disabilities -- and from the Office for Persons with Disabilities at York University.

"People with disabilities need to make sure that their issues are being addressed, particularly in tough financial times like these," says student Laurie Alphonse, the chair of ABLE-York and one of the organizers of Access Awareness Week.

"We want to make sure that the needs of people with disabilities are not just pushed into the background -- we want these issues in the forefront of discussions at the university and in society as a whole."

Artists, students, teachers and athletes with disabilities will be hosting or participating in various events. An entertainment night fundraiser featuring two artists with disabilities, an art show featuring a foot- and mouth-painter, a demonstration of Wen-Do self defence for women with disabilities, a karate demonstration, a display featuring services for persons with disabilities, panel discussions, an awards ceremony and a wrap-up party, are all among the week's events. Most events are free of charge and open to the public. (A schedule of events is listed on the following pages.)

"Being disabled does not mean we can't do anything," says Alphonse. "By hosting these events, we are asking people to come and see just what we can do. They will see for themselves the range of achievements and accomplishments that people with disabilities can have."

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For more information, call:

ABLE-York Mary Ann Horgan
(416) 736-2100 ext. 20492 (voice) Department of Communications
(416) 736-5697 (TTY) (416) 736-2100, ext. 22084
YU/001/96