The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board (ALCDSB) is proud to be the recipient of a $40,000 grant that will remove barriers that currently prevent some students with disabilities from independently accessing physical education spaces.
Securing the Rick Hansen Foundation Barrier Busters Grant will allow the board to further enhance the accessibility of the spaces where inclusive sports are offered, ensuring that students of all abilities can participate more fully, independently, and meaningfully.
“Our board is committed to providing learning environments where all students, staff, and community members can reach their full potential,” said Carey Smith-Dewey, Chief Executive Officer of ALCDSB. “I am grateful to our dedicated staff for recognizing a gap in our community, pursuing this grant opportunity, and bringing forward a vision that supports all learners. Their commitment to inclusion is helping us create spaces where every student can participate fully and feel a true sense of belonging.”
The grant amount of $40,000 will allow accessible doors and access buttons to be installed on gymnasium doors at five ALCDSB schools: St. Paul Catholic Secondary School (Trenton), Archbishop O’Sullivan Catholic School (Kingston), Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (Kingston), St. Thomas More Catholic School (Kingston) and St. Mary Catholic School (Trenton).
These permanent infrastructure upgrades will strengthen community engagement, expand equitable access to physical activity, and reinforce the Board’s role as an accessible community hub that welcomes and includes all participants.
The RBC Barrier Buster Grants Program
The RBC Barrier Buster Grants Program was created in honour of the 40th anniversary of Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion World Tour, to assist municipalities, schools and community groups across the country for accessibility improvement projects that help remove barriers for people of all ages and abilities.
Accessible Sport
Over the past two years, ALCDSB has prioritized accessible sport, particularly the Paralympic sport of Boccia, by ensuring that every school has access to Boccia training and equipment for Physical Education classes. This initiative has created new opportunities for students who may not otherwise have the chance to participate in school sport to join teams and experience the benefits of inclusive physical activity. This work has highlighted both the power of inclusive sport and the importance of ensuring that accessible programming is supported by accessible facilities.
To read more about the ALCDSB Boccia Tournaments: