/R E P E A T-- Excellence Canada invites applications for 2012 Ontario Accessibility Award/

Award honours organizations that go above and beyond to promote accessibility for people with disabilities; application deadline is August 31

TORONTO, June 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Excellence Canada today announced a call for applications for the second annual Excellence Canada - Ontario Accessibility Award. The award recognizes and celebrates organizations that have demonstrated leadership and commitment by going above and beyond the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) Standards.

"Accessible facilities and businesses enable people with disabilities to be more fully functioning individuals. But such places also become more inviting for mothers with buggies and people with walkers. Excellence Canada's Ontario Accessibility Awards celebrate those groups who are making their communities open and inviting to all people, able-bodied and disabled alike", said the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and the honorary patron of the Excellence Canada - Ontario Accessibility Award Program.

"Accessibility for people with disabilities is a journey of continuous improvement," said Russ Gahan, Vice President of Operations at Excellence Canada. "To achieve sustainability, it is extremely important to celebrate significant milestones along the way. The Excellence Canada - Ontario Accessibility Award Program highlights the passion and dedication of men and women of all abilities who make their organizations into role-models of accessibility."

Organizations of all sizes and sectors are invited to apply for the award. Previous recipients include Elections Ontario, Megleen (a Tim Hortons franchisee), Northern Lights Canada, Regional Municipality of York, Regional Municipality of Durham, Town of Aurora, Town of Markham, Variety Village, and York Regional Police.

To download the award application, please visit www.peopleaccess.ca and select the AWARDS tab.

Excellence Canada also takes this opportunity to remind all Ontario employers that while they were required to comply with the AODA Accessibility Standards for Customer Service by January 1, 2012, those with 20 or more employees must also file their Compliance Report with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario by December 31, 2012. Details can be found at www.peopleaccess.ca under the AODA COMPLIANCE tab.

About Excellence Canada and People Access

Excellence Canada (formerly the National Quality Institute) helps organizations improve performance and recognizes excellence. It is the proud custodian of Canada's highest organizational recognition program established in 1984, the prestigious Canada Awards for Excellence, which enjoys the Vice-Regal Patronage of His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., Governor General of Canada. Visit www.excellence.ca

People Access, a division of Excellence Canada, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping organizations strive for accessibility excellence for people with disabilities. Its vision is a Canadian society that is diverse, accessible, and inclusive. People Access supports organizations in achieving compliance with the accessibility laws while also improving customer and employee satisfaction and bottom-line results.

Anna Teed, Director of Communications, at 1-800-263-9648 x 224 or email [email protected]