About Us
In 1987, Rick Hansen's Man in Motion Tour brought issues of ability and access into the national spotlight. In response, National Access Awareness Week was born. The "national" scope of the week has petered out but provincially, the spirit of Hansen's quest lives on through Nova Scotia’s Access Awareness Week. Held at the end of May, the week aims to celebrate achievements made both by and for people with disabilities in the areas of accessibility, transportation, housing, employment, recreation, education and communication. PAANS is a committee of the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities and was created to oversee the planning of the week's events ensuring the week continued to be both vibrant and relevant to the needs of the province's citizens.
Mission: To promote the
inclusion of all Nova Scotians with disabilities
as full citizens
within our communities. Through public awareness, community
partnerships and education, we aim to foster an environment of
equal participation for persons with disabilities within Nova
Scotia.
PAANS Committee Members
| Gillian Roberts | Access Awareness Coordinator |
| Sherry Costa | Chair of PAANS Committee |
| Joan Levack | NSLEO Representative |
| Claredon Robicheau | NSLEO Representative |
| Anne MacRae | Disabled Persons Commission |
| Elizabeth McDowell | Community Representative |
| Darlean Hearn | Community Representative |
| Cynthia Bruce | NSLEO Coordinator |
|
Randy Reede
|
Canadian Paraplegic Association of Nova Scotia |
Access Awareness Week
2009 Theme - Accessible Housing: Building the Foundation for Inclusive Communities.
Issues of ability and inclusion are important all year round. However, Access Awareness Week is an opportunity that allows Nova Scotians to promote and highlight these issues to audiences across the province. Through press conferences, forums, concerts, lectures and roundtables, we are able to engage the broader community on issues that sometimes get forgotten.
The theme chosen is to underline the importance of bringing
accessibility issues to the public to make communities better
for everyone. Barriers to inclusion are as much about attitude
as physical structure. While changing a municipal by-law
or
enforcing the Charter may technically remove barriers, it is by
fostering attitudes of acceptance and responsibility that the
real obstacles are overcome.
| AAW 2009 latest news... | |
| Date/Time | Location & Details |
|
Mon June 1st 7:45am to 9:30am Registration at 7:15am |
Breakfast of Inclusion (by invitation) Access Awareness Week 2009 will be launched with The Legislative Breakfast, taking place at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel in Halifax. The Legislative Breakfast will include the reading of a Proclamation followed by The Mel Hebb Awards which celebrate individuals, communities, businesses and organizations dedicated to the inclusion of Nova Scotians with disabilities. |
| Fri June 5th |
The Scholarship Awards (by invitation) Will be
presented on June 5th during a luncheon at |
| full schedule... | |
PAANS would like to thank this years supporters for their donations, presented as scholarships to deserving students with a disability...
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Teachers' Corner
Watch this space for info and tips of interest to teachers...
Accessibility Tool Kits
Want
to host your own event?
Why not take part in a province-wide campaign to promote awareness on Disability issues?
Join us in celebrating and giving recognition to persons with disabilities by hosting your own event during Access Awareness Week 2009 - May 31st to June 6th.
Past Access Awareness events have been diverse and unique, from barbeques to a book launch - We welcome your creativity!
To apply for funding for your event just download the toolkit application form - if your application is successful your event will be posted here on our web site!
Toolkit Invitational (Word) Toolkit Application Form (Word)
Deadline for submissions: Thursday, April 16th.
We also have tips toolkits for:
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