UOIT plays host to Region of Durham's first Accessibility Expo
June 25, 2010
Headlined by a presentation from the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the first-ever Durham Region Accessibility Expo (DRAE) is being hailed as a huge success. Billed as a celebration of abilities, DRAE was staged June 17 at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology's (UOIT) Campus Wellness and Recreation Centre (CRWC).
Organized by the Region of Durham's Economic Development and Tourism Department, the CRWC was transformed into a giant marketplace where about 100 exhibitors spent the day showcasing and demonstrating assistive technologies and devices, promoting various available community services, and raising awareness about the latest in home health-care products.
"This extraordinary event was the first of its kind in Durham and we were thrilled to have the Centre for Students with Disabilities among the exhibitors," said Meghan Houghton, director, Learning and Disability Services, UOIT. "The expoprovided us with an unparalleled opportunity topromote our Centre and to network with colleagues working on accessibility throughout Durham Region.We were also thrilled that the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, in his remarks, praised Durham Region as frontrunners in Ontario for ensuringaccessibilityto individuals with disabilitiesacross all sectors."
Other special guests at DRAE included acclaimed singer-songwriter Justin Hines and Canadian Paralympic gold medallist Paul Rosen. The hundreds of visitors to DRAE also attended inspiring presentations by motivational speakers Robert Pio Hajjar and Dr. Mark Nagler. DRAE is designed to educate the community about the 2005 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act as well as about accessibility and abilities in general.
To view a gallery of images from DRAE, please click here.
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