August 22, 2022
The 2022 Changemaker Awards shine a spotlight on individuals, organizations and communities championing equity and making a significant impact for people with disabilities.
March of Dimes Canada is proud to announce a new suite of annual awards developed to celebrate innovation, collaboration, action and advocacy benefiting Canadians living with disability.
“We are thrilled to announce that the
2022 Changemaker Awards are now open for nominations,” says Leonard Baker, President and CEO, March of Dimes Canada. “These awards are an important vehicle for Canadians to celebrate the progress we are making towards breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive, accessible world.”
Always on the forefront of change, March of Dimes Canada was formed in the 1950s when a group of mothers banded together to find a cure for polio. Once a vaccine was developed, the organization pivoted to support polio survivors, people with physical disabilities, and later, all forms of disability. Now one of Canada’s largest and most respected disability service providers, March of Dimes Canada is innovating once again in order to shine a light on dynamic and committed trailblazers.
“We look forward to discovering and honouring deserving changemakers across the country who are making an exceptional impact in supporting our mission,” says Michael Cole, March of Dimes Canada board member and chair of the awards selection committee. “These five winners will be celebrated at our signature gala and fundraising event, the
Changemakers Supper Club, on October 18th in Toronto.”
The Five Changemaker Awards Are:
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Disability Changemaker of the Year – This award celebrates the individual achievements of leading innovators and advocates from the disability community who are making real change happen across Canada and is presented annually to an individual with lived experience whose personal and/or professional efforts are making an exceptional difference in the areas of disability awareness, action and advocacy for an inclusive, barrier-free world.
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Corporate Changemaker of the Year – This award is presented annually to a Canadian-registered corporation making an inspirational impact in advancing equity and inclusion for people with disabilities nationwide, through their business offerings, community engagement and philanthropy.
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Volunteer Changemaker of the Year – This award celebrates the rich talent, deep commitment and boundless generosity of March of Dimes Canada’s amazing volunteers. The award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding impact in connecting, supporting and empowering people with disabilities through their voluntary role with MODC.
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Community Changemaker of the Year – This award celebrates the creativity and collaborative spirit of small agencies and organizations serving people with disabilities in communities across Canada and is presented annually to a local, regional or provincial organization that is a service delivery partner of March of Dimes Canada, and that has demonstrated innovation and impact in expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in their communities.
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Changemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement – This award celebrates the collective contributions of an individual Changemaker toward championing equity, empowering ability and supporting people with disabilities to live and thrive in communities nationwide. It is presented to an individual with 15+ years of service/involvement with MODC who has demonstrated meritorious service and a long-term commitment.
Anyone may nominate a changemaker. The deadline for all nominations is
Thursday, September 15th at 4 p.m. EST. All nominations must be completed online using the accessible
online nomination forms for each award, available on the March of Dimes Canada website.
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For media inquiries contact:
Jessika Diamond
Manager, Special Events
March of Dimes Canada
Tel: 416-425-3463
