Nominate a Hamilton Accessibility Leader: Deadline July 3

Nominate a Hamilton Accessibility Leader

Do you know someone in Hamilton who is making a real difference for people with disabilities?

Now is the time to put their name forward.

The City of Hamilton is accepting nominations for its third annual Accessibility Awards, recognizing individuals, community organizations, businesses and young leaders who are removing barriers and helping build a more inclusive city. Nominations are open now through July 3, 2026.

Councillor Mark Tadeson is encouraging Ward 11 residents to think about the people and places in their lives - a neighbour, a local business, a community group or a young leader - who go out of their way to make Hamilton more accessible for everyone.

Award Categories

There are four categories open for nomination:

• Individual Award

• Group or Community Organization Award

• Business Award

• Youth Award, open to Hamiltonians ages 14 to 29

Why It Matters

Hamilton’s need for accessibility leadership is real. According to the 2021 Census, 39 per cent of Hamiltonians report having an activity limitation due to a physical or mental condition or health problem, higher than the Ontario average of 35 per cent. Fifteen per cent of Hamiltonians report always experiencing an activity limitation, compared to 13 per cent provincially.

The awards are led by the Accessibility Committee for Persons with Disabilities (ACPD), a subcommittee of Council that advises the City on policies, procedures and standards that address the needs and concerns of people with disabilities. The ACPD works to identify barriers in municipal programs and help prevent new barriers from being created, in accordance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Mark Your Calendar

The awards ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. on September 4, 2026, as part of the ACPD’s fifth annual Accessibility Fair at Hamilton City Hall, along the east walkway between Jackson Street West and Main Street West. The fair runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Submit a nomination at hamilton.ca/AccessibilityAwards by July 3, 2026.