Sunday 20 December 2015

2015 Access, Equity & Human Rights Awards

The 2015 Access, Equity & Human Rights Awards took place at Toronto’s City Hall on Wednesday, December 2. The Access Award for Disability Issues, established in 1983 to recognize the International Year of the Disabled, is always part of the ceremony. The 2015 Access Award was presented to Farah Mawani.
Farah Mawani, 2015 Access Award winner
Farah Mawani, 2015 Access Award winner
Mawani, a long-time human rights advocate, is the founder of Building Roads Together. This peer support group program is an integrated group designed to empower people faced with unique health challenges. Building Roads Together aims to maximize accessibility to programs such as exercise.
Mawani, who is recovering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), said her experience with mental illness is what led to the creation of Building Roads Together. Mawani’s program is part of an organization she founded called Farahway Global, based at the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) Regent Park.
“I’m beyond moved that a growing number of people and organizations across the city and country want to be part of Building Roads,” Mawani said during her acceptance speech.
Here is a list of the other award recipients for 2015:
  • Aboriginal Affairs Award: Joanne Dallaire
  • Constance E. Hamilton Award on the Status of Women: Andrea Sesum
  • Pride Award for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual and Two-Spirit Issues: Mark Smith
  • William P. Hubbard Award for Race Relations: Kamala-Jean Gopie

Friday 4 December 2015

Scott Weiland's last interview (RIP)

Former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland played his last concert in Toronto (December 1, 2015).