City of Brantford, in partnership with the Brantford Accessibility Advisory Committee (BAAC), recognized the 2026 Accessibility Improvement Awards recipients during the Brantford City Council meeting held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
The awards recognize and celebrate a person, group or organization that has made, or is in the process of making, a significant contribution towards improving accessibility to accommodate persons with disabilities.
“Congratulations to this year’s Accessibility Awards Winners, who are making big impacts in our community,” said Jenny Sawicki, City of Brantford Accessibility Coordinator. “Each of the recipients have gone above and beyond to ensure the independence, self-esteem, dignity, and security of all residents of Brantford.”
Nicole Callander, founder of Friends 4 Kindness, received an Accessibility Award in the Customer Service category for creating inclusive social opportunities for individuals who experience challenges with social connection. Through the “Brantford’s Unbirthday” event, she creates a sense of belonging for individuals who attend “Brantford’s Unbirthday”, an event designed to celebrate individuals who may struggle with friendships, social isolation, or have special needs. Nicole helps host monthly dances, facilitates a caregiver support group, advocates for building inclusive communities, and supports the development of inclusive housing for adults with disabilities.
Accessibility Award winner Michayla Del Guidice was recognized in the Information and Communication category for her dedication to accessibility and inclusion, driven by her lived experience. Since 2019, she has reached over 4,000 people through public engagement and advocacy, sharing her journey of surpassing the expectations of educators who told her she’d never succeed due to her disability. Michayla founded REAL Queens United to empower neurodiverse women and build confidence in their identities. Through AlignHER Consulting, Michayla helps individuals pursue careers and lifestyles aligned with their goals and aspirations. In student affairs, she guides students with disabilities through post-secondary education and her ongoing partnership with the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario focuses on equipping educators with resources for creating accessible learning environments for neurodiverse students. Her work continues to inspire, educate and advance accessibility and inclusion.
Leny Hardman received an Accessibility Award in the Information and Communication category after receiving two nominations for her contributions towards creating more accessible transportation for people with disabilities. Following a personal experience where accessible transportation did not provide a return pickup, Leny began advocating for change. She engaged directly with decision-makers to address a systemic gap in accessible transportation services. This advocacy has helped prevent others with mobility challenges from facing similar unsafe and isolating situations, improving dignity, reliability and equity for individuals who rely on accessible transit. Through her efforts, Leny continues to educate the community about the importance of proactive and reliable accessibility measures for persons with disabilities.
St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre was honoured with an Accessibility Award in the Employment category for their commitment to the Grand Erie District School Board’s Project | SEARCH program, a school-to-work transition program designed to support interns with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in gaining meaningful, real-world employment experience. Graduates of the program leave with the skills and experience needed to succeed in a wide range of jobs and industries. St. Joseph’s has offered employment to four Project | SEARCH graduates, further demonstrating their dedication to inclusive hiring practices and accessible employment opportunities. Their leadership, compassion and dedication to inclusive employment make a lasting and meaningful impact on the interns and the Brantford community.
Nova Vita was recognized as an Accessibility Award winner in the Customer Service category for demonstrating a strong commitment to accessibility by intentionally designing programs, services and environments that reduce barriers and promote full participation for individuals with disabilities. For more than 40 years, Nova Vita has provided trauma-informed emergency shelter, outreach support, and counselling services to individuals and families experiencing abuse, as well as counselling for individuals who have caused harm in their relationships. Nova Vita was awarded for Customer Service. Their approach reflects both compliance with accessibility standards and a broader philosophy of inclusion that ensures clients can access services with dignity, independence, and respect.
