As it has for the past five years, Brock’s Office of Human Rights and Equity Services (HRE) is looking to recognize an individual who has contributed to creating a community free from discrimination. 

The Accessibility and Inclusion Recognition Award (AIRA) is open to all University staff, faculty, students and volunteers. The award is presented annually on Dec. 3 in honour of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The focus of AIRA is to allow for allyship to be strengthened and to act as an invitation to discuss how barriers that limit access to equality can be removed.

“With this award, we not only recognize an individual who has consistently and, when necessary, insistently, advocated for the rights of people of any abilities to receive equitable, safe and dignified treatment in their engagement with any services offered at Brock, we also recognize the individual and institutional barriers to inclusion that still exist and require our unrelenting attention,” said Maureen Connolly, Professor of Kinesiology and Chair of the Anti-Ableism and Mental Health Committee (AAMH).

To nominate an individual for this award, fill out this form on the HRE website. Nominators must include a description of the nominee’s outstanding service to anti-ableism, accessibility or inclusive practice, along with two letters of support.

“Nominating someone for this award is an opportunity to practice anti-ableism,” said Connolly. “Engage in taking action that makes disability rights an accepted and unquestioned standard, as well as demonstrating an authentic commitment to ongoing vigilance in support of diversity and inclusion.”

Nominations for AIRA are open until Monday, Nov. 23. Recipients of this year’s award will be chosen by the AAMH — a working group of the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity and Decolonization.

Any questions about the nomination requirements or selection process can be directed to Alison Rothwell, Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor, HRE, at arothwell@brocku.ca