Region of Queens Municipality receives the Mel Hebb Hourglass Community Action Award

On May 29, 2023, Region of Queens Municipality was presented with the Mel Hebb Hourglass Community Action Award at an awards ceremony in Halifax to mark the start of National AccessAbility Week.

Pictured are Region of Queens Municipality’s Mayor Darlene Norman (centre) with the Municipality’s Accessibility and Inclusion Coordinator, Elise Johnston, receiving the award from Taylah Carvery (left), Mel Hebb’s granddaughter. Photo Credit: Government of Nova Scotia

The Award recognizes the work of the Municipality in improving access and disability inclusion in our communities. Region of Queens Municipality is a leader in accessibility and inclusion, thanks in part to the formation and subsequent actions of the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) and Diversity and Inclusion Action Team (DIAT), both of which are committees of council, along with Council’s decision to create full time staff positions to facilitate and implement the work of the committees, and actions taken to ensure Municipal facilities and operations are accessible. Their combined work has led to many improvements to municipally owned facilities, and many community organizations have received support and funding for projects and programs to improve and increase accessibility and inclusion.

The Mel Hebb Hourglass Awards are named in honour of a man who had polio at age 9 and was disabled because of the illness. Through determination and advocacy, he pushed for more accessibility in Nova Scotia, completed university, had a 37-year career in management, a successful marriage and family life, and a lifetime of activism for the disabled people. The Community Action Award recognizes communities and municipalities dedicated to increasing opportunities for persons with disabilities in their area. This includes recreation opportunities, inclusive education, and employment opportunities or other initiatives that lead to full participation for persons with disabilities.