Amélie Archer of Shippagan and William (Bill) Turney win awards during disability awareness week in New Brunswick,

Two persons and an organization have been recognized as provincial award winners by the 2010 Disability Awareness Week committee.

They are Amélie Archer of Shippagan; William (Bill) Turney of Fredericton; and the Learning Disabilities Association of New Brunswick, based in Fredericton.

The provincial Disability Awareness Week committee recognizes individuals or groups that had a significant effect on the lives of persons with disabilities.

The awards were presented by Christyne Allain, co-chair of Disability Awareness Week and executive director of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Disabled Persons.

Archer was recognized at the kick-off celebration sponsored by the Independent Living Centre Péninsule Acadienne. Turney and the Learning Disabilities Association of New Brunswick were presented their awards at the legislative breakfast and workshop held in Fredericton. The association was represented by Fabian Mackay, one of its long-standing volunteers.

Disability Awareness Week 2010 ran from May 30 through June 5. It was established following Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion tour. For its first 10 years, the campaign ran nationally. In 1998, the disability community in New Brunswick decided to continue the campaign but to make the focus cross-disability.

This was the 23rd year that the community of persons with disabilities has recognized individuals, private-sector and not-for-profit organizations that have made a lasting contribution to the quality of life for New Brunswickers with disabilities.

Winners of the 2010 Disability Awareness Awards

Amélie Archer

Archer, 19, uses a wheelchair. She prepared a presentation identifying many of the barriers that remain on the Acadian Peninsula to persons who have mobility challenges. Faced with the challenge of a work place that was not accessible, she convinced her employer’s landlord to modify its premises accordingly.

William (Bill) Turney

Turney is well known for promoting inclusive opportunities for persons with disabilities. He has worked as a councillor and mentor with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and has been a volunteer with organizations working with persons with disabilities. Turney is a dedicated music teacher and is an active tenor with several choral groups. Despite having retired several years ago, Turney remains committed with his can-do attitude.