The City of Brantford marked National AccessAbility Week by honouring the recipients of the 2025 Accessibility Improvement Awards at a City Council meeting on May 27.
The awards, presented in partnership with the Brantford Accessibility Advisory Committee (BAAC), recognize individuals, organizations, and City staff who have made meaningful contributions to improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
Greg Wilson, owner of William Street Eyecare, was recognized in the Built Environment category. His optometry clinic, located in a historic 1911 home, has undergone several upgrades to improve accessibility. In 2025, the clinic introduced a fully accessible exam room, allowing patients who use wheelchairs to receive comprehensive eye exams without the need to transfer.
Andrew Nielsen received the Information & Communication award. Living with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, Nielsen has raised over $165,000 for Easter Seals Ontario to help fund mobility and accessibility equipment for children with disabilities.
He also played a key role in securing funding for Stedman House, a supportive living space for people with disabilities. His advocacy work has helped raise awareness and drive change in housing and accessibility policy.
Harmony United Church was also recognized in the Built Environment category for renovations that have made its facility more accessible.
The church added a ramp connecting the Sanctuary to the Social Hall and built an accessible washroom to ensure everyone can participate in services and events.
Several City of Brantford staff members were also recognized for their leadership in promoting accessibility.
Spencer Moore, a fitness instructor at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, was honoured for his efforts to make fitness and recreation inclusive. He has led programs for individuals with vision loss and promoted adaptive activities across the community.
Christian Bean, manager of construction, was acknowledged for ensuring City documents are compliant with accessibility standards and for his work on infrastructure projects that improve public access.
Brantford’s Traffic Services Department received recognition for its efforts to enhance pedestrian safety and mobility.
Initiatives include the installation of 75 pedestrian crossovers, 100 accessible pedestrian signal buttons, 119 pedestrian countdown timers, and changes to signal timing at intersections to better accommodate those with mobility challenges.
The award winners and staff honourees were selected by the BAAC following a public nomination period earlier this year.
Ahead of the ceremony, City Council members viewed an updated version of “A Day in the Life – Understanding Accessibility in Our City”, a video showing Mayor Kevin Davis and Councillors Rose Sicoli, Mandy Samwell, and Linda Hunt participating in simulations designed to reflect the daily experiences of people with disabilities. The video is available on the City’s YouTube channel.
For more information about the awards and Brantford’s accessibility initiatives, visit brantford.ca/accessibility.
