RECORD-BREAKING NOMINATIONS RECEIVED THIS SCHOOL YEAR
Rick Hansen Foundation Celebrates Five Exceptional Youth Across Canada as 2023-24 Difference Maker of the Year Recipients

The Rick Hansen Foundation is proud to announce five outstanding youth recipients of the 2023-24 Rick Hansen Foundation School Program (RHFSP) Difference Maker of the Year Awards. The annual award honours youth aged 5 to 18 who have significantly contributed to making their schools and communities more physically accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. The announcement of this year's recipients coincides with National AccessAbility Week, a time to celebrate people with disabilities in Canada and raise awareness of the critical need for greater accessibility and inclusion in our communities and workplaces.

This year's awards received the highest number of nominations in the initiative's history, with exceptional candidates from across Canada. The 2023-24 recipients serve as an inspiration to us all and include: the author of a children's book on disability, a coordinator for an organization that offers weekly horse riding activities for people with disabilities, a Best Buddies club president that led multiple inclusive events, a student council member that organized sensory and mobility friendly dances, and an advocate that helped raise over $50,000 to help families with the cost of medical supplies. Award recipients are chosen by a selection committee consisting of previous Difference Maker of the Year Award recipients and members of the RHFSP Youth Leadership Committee.

"The unprecedented number of nominations for this year's awards is a testament to the incredible work being done across Canada to advance accessibility and inclusion," said Amanda Basi, Senior Director of Programs at the Rick Hansen Foundation. "These individuals are leading the way in creating environments where everyone can participate and thrive. As we celebrate National AccessAbility Week, we are reminded of the importance of continuing to support and recognize those who are making a real difference in their communities. We applaud the work being done by all of those nominated and celebrate our five recipients."

The 2023-2024 RHFSP Difference Maker of the Year Award recipients include:

• Andrew Paul Marti, St. Michaels University School, Victoria, British Columbia - Help Fill A Dream Charity Fundraiser and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Youth
• Talina Papazian, Toronto French School / University of Waterloo, Ontario - author of "You Taught Me"
• Andrew Phillips, Fredericton High School, Fredericton, New Brunswick - Chill Dance Pilot Project
• Emma Stafford, South Peace Secondary, Baldonnel, British Columbia - North Peace Ride for the Disabled
• Abigail Thorton, Fredericton High School, Fredericton, New Brunswick - Best Buddies

Adds Basi: "Thank you to all our nominees for your leadership and dedication to creating a world for everyone, everywhere. Your projects demonstrate the variety of ways we can achieve improved accessibility and inclusion, and your actions are helping to create a bright future for people of all ages and abilities."

The Rick Hansen Foundation School Program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Scotiabank, the Gordon and Ruth Gooder Charitable Foundation, and the Vancouver Canucks Alumni Foundation.

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