RICHMOND
Rick Hansen Foundation Announces its 2023 Difference Maker of the Year Award Recipients

Youth across Canada recognized for their efforts to improve accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities

Two exceptional individuals and three exceptional youth groups /classrooms have been recognized by the Rick Hansen Foundation for their outstanding contributions to improving the lives of people with disabilities. Recipients of the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program (RHFSP) Difference Maker of the Year Awards are made up of youth, youth groups, and classrooms from ages five to 18 across Canada who have made a positive impact to improve accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in their school or wider community.

"This National AccessAbility Week, we have the pleasure of recognizing some truly outstanding contributions from the next generation of leaders. We are very impressed with the exciting ways our recipients are creating change in their schools and communities. Thank you to all our nominees for your leadership and dedication to creating a world for everyone, everywhere. Your actions are helping to create a bright future for people of all abilities," says Amanda Basi, Senior Director of Programs at the Rick Hansen Foundation.

Award recipients were chosen by a selection committee that consisted of previous Difference Maker of the Year Award recipients and members of the RHFSP Youth Leadership Committee. This year's recipients range from groups who've created accessible computer-controlled carnival games and advocated for accessibility improvements in their school, to individuals who planned a prom for students with disabilities and used their social media platforms to raise awareness and encourage advocacy.

Individual recipients will receive an honorarium of $500, and each group will receive $1,000 to share.

2023 Difference Maker of the Year Award Recipients:

• Mackenzie Agretto, Saint Paul Catholic High School, Niagara Falls, Ontario
• Caden Teneycke, Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria, Ladysmith, British Columbia
• Dear Everybody Design Team (13 students in Grade 6), Havergal College, Toronto, Ontario
• Mrs. Boucher's Grade Three Class (20 students in Grade 3), Huron Heights Public School, Kincardine, Ontario
• Dante Accessibility Team (seven students aged 13-18), Dante Alighieri Academy, Toronto, Ontario

For more information on the RHFSP Difference Maker of the Year awards, and profiles of this year's recipients visit our ​website.