6/12/2010 8:33:04 AM

June 8, 2010

Toronto organizations invited to nominate an Unsung Hero for recognition

The City of Toronto's planning group for the International Day of People with Disabilities invites organizations to nominate a person with a disability as an Unsung Hero. To qualify, the nominee must be someone whose achievements or contributions to the disability community (or to a specific cause within the disability movement) have not been previously recognized.

Honouring unsung heroes is central to the City’s celebration of International Day of People with Disabilities. Another highlight of the event is the "Invitation to Poetry" reading. Poets with disabilities are invited to submit their poems about any aspect of disability. Selected poems will be read at the event.

Artists with disabilities will also have an opportunity to display their work during the day's event. In order to be selected for the "Invitation to Art" feature of the event, artists must submit details about their original artwork.

September 30 is the nomination deadline for Unsung Heroes and is also the submission deadline for Invitation to Poetry and Invitation to Art.

Details and nomination forms are available at http://www.toronto.ca/diversity/intl_day_disabilities.htm.

The City of Toronto will join with community and business partners to observe and celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3 at Toronto's Variety Village.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.