Accessibility advocate Cathy Birch has been recognized as a role model within Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) and the province of Ontario. Birch is one of three newly named recipients of the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility for her commitment to improving livability within TCHC buildings for residents with disabilities.

A resident herself, and a user of a mobility device, Birch is a volunteer and founder of TCHC’s Responsible Personal Accessibility in Toronto Housing (R-PATH) committee. She has championed accessible signage, closed captioning for virtual meetings and accessibility modifications within TCHC units, and also provides input to the corporation’s capital program for accessibility upgrades and guidance to staff.

The provincial awards were established in 2014 and named for Ontario’s 28th Lieutenant Governor, David Onley. In addition to Birch’s role model award, Rohan Jain of Toronto was recognized in the youth leadership category, and Deanna Miskie of Bowmanville received an award for employee engagement.

“I applaud these dynamic accessibility ambassadors for their innovative programming and personal commitment,” Onley says.

“Their advocacy, initiative and leadership has made it possible for all Ontarians to make a difference,” concurs Ontario’s current Lieutenant Governor, Elizabeth Dowdeswell. “It is my hope that each of us do our utmost each day to keep pressing forward to make Ontario a truly accessible place.”