Letter of recommendation from Emese Szücs, Manager of Accessibility Programs at SPARC BC regarding the nomination for Heather McCain to receive the
City of Vancouver’s 2010 Access and Inclusion Award
SPARC BC (the Social Planning and Research Council of BC) is pleased to support the Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods (CAN) for the City of Vancouver Access and Inclusion Award
CAN and its Executive Director, Heather McCain has contributed greatly to Lower Mainland communities in their endeavor to become more accessible and inclusive to all of their citizens.
Heather McCain has been an exemplary role model in our community of people with disabilities.
Despite her young age Heather demonstrates outstanding maturity, tact and skills in attaining the goals of CAN, her organization. Heather single handedly recognized the need for a centralized resource organization to assist people with disabilities access their community and to have equal opportunities for inclusion. As our built environment is still being built with barriers, Heather offers easy access to many of the typical community services and programs around the Lower Mainland from sports to public awareness on community accessibility and universal design.
Heather not only volunteers her time to run CAN as its Executive Director but also serves on and is a respected member of many community committees and Boards on the Lower Mainland.
Currently Heather is a member of SPARC BC’s Board of Directors and her contribution to the governance and directions of the organization is invaluable. Her clear insight and sincere dedication to making this a world where all have equitable opportunities is evident in her participation and work in many community accessibility activities and projects.
On behalf of SPARC BC once again I wholeheartedly support CAN and its Executive Director Heather McCain’s nomination for the City of Vancouver’s Access and Inclusion Award of 2010.
Manager of Accessibility Programs