The Neil Squire Society (new window) is thrilled to be coordinating this year’s Walk and Roll Challenge as part of Disability Awareness Week (new window), May 27 t0 June 2, 2012, in New Brunswick (new window). This event brings together over 23,000 people in communities across the province to promote awareness of issues facing persons with disabilities. This year’s slogan is “Ready and Able to Work,” which is perfectly fitting to the Neil Squire Society’s vision of having economic and social inclusiveness for all people with disabilities.
This year is of special significance because it marks the 25th anniversary that New Brunswick has celebrated an annual awareness week to foster discussion and understanding of the issues facing persons with disabilities.
New Brunswick’s Disability Awareness Week stems from National Access Awareness Week, a campaign first established in 1988 to promote better community access for people with disabilities. This Canada wide initiative was sparked by Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion World Tour (new window), in which he and a team wheeled around the world raising awareness about the potential of people with disabilities (new window), creating accessible and inclusive communities, and finding a cure for spinal cord injuries (new window).
With events like the Walk and Roll Challenge, New Brunswick’s Disability Awareness Week follows in the spirit first set in motion by Rick Hansen (new window) 25 years ago in hopes of creating an inclusive society for all.
Disability Awareness Week Poster (new window)