Kawartha Lakes introduces youth accessibility award

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: Young accessibility advocates, in the City of Kawartha Lakes, will soon have a chance to be recognized for their efforts to create a more inclusive community, thanks to the introduction of a new youth category in the Accessibility Awareness Recognition Awards.

At the Committee of the Whole meeting, held on Wednesday, May 14th, council voted to create a Youth Award category, as part of the city’s Accessibility Awareness Recognition Award Program. The award will be named in honour of Kathryn Peeters, a beloved local advocate, who spent most of her life championing accessibility and inclusion.

“This is a significant and heartfelt step forward,” said Christine Briggs, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Partner, in her report to council. “By introducing a Youth Accessibility Award, we are not only closing a gap in our recognition program, we are planting the seeds for a future generation who embraces accessibility as a core community value.”

The Accessibility Awareness Awards celebrate individuals, businesses, groups and municipal staff who go above and beyond, in the process of removing barriers for people with disabilities. However, until now, there has been no formal recognition for young people making a difference in the field.

“This new category fosters early engagement,” Ms. Briggs explained. “Recognizing youth who demonstrate leadership in accessibility promotes empathy, civic responsibility, and inclusion, qualities which shape the inclusive leaders of tomorrow.”

Council unanimously supported the motion which will now be brought forward for consideration, at the next Regular Council Meeting.

Naming the youth award after Kathryn Peeters is a poignant choice. Diagnosed with paediatric brain tumours, at a young age, Kathryn was left legally blind and living with a seizure disorder and cognitive impairment, following surgery. Undeterred, she began advocating for accessibility and fundraising for paediatric brain tumour research, at just six years old.

Over the next 25 years, Kathryn continued her advocacy, speaking at community events and national conferences, even after a spinal cord injury, later in life, left her paraplegic. She passed away in 2024, shortly before her 32nd birthday.

“Kathryn was an extraordinary individual, whose impact was deeply felt in this community,” said Councillor Mike Perry, who spoke in favour of the award. “She lived the values we want to see in our young leaders, resilience, compassion, and a fierce commitment to inclusion. It’s only fitting this award carry her name.”

The Barbara McArthur Award of Distinction, the most prestigious of the existing awards, is similarly named after a trailblazing advocate, Barbara McArthur. She is founder and first Chair of the Municipal Advisory Committee for Disabled Persons, now the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee (KLAAC).

The addition of a youth category continues the city’s tradition of honouring individuals who embody the spirit of accessibility leadership.

“We want our young people to know their efforts matter, and they are seen, heard, and celebrated,” Ms. Briggs said. “This award will help amplify those voices and ensure accessibility is not just a goal, but a lived value across generations.”

Nominations for the Accessibility Awareness Recognition Awards, including the new Youth Accessibility Award, will open later this year.