New sculpture by David Fels unveiled
The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, officially announced today that Carleton University will host the 2014 International Summit on Accessibility at the Ottawa Convention Centre as he unveiled a new David Fels sculpture called “Inclusivity” that will remain on site throughout the summit taking place in July of 2014.
Carleton, with support from the Province of Ontario and the City of Ottawa, is holding the summit to embrace positive progress in creating accessible and inclusive communities and bring together diverse leaders to share achievements and create action. The conference promotes access and inclusion for persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.
“It’s going to be a spectacular conference,’’ said Onley, who is the honorary patron for Carleton’s READ Initiative (Research, Education, Accessibility and Design). “I look forward to it with great anticipation.’’
“The Ottawa Convention Centre is proud to be hosting the International Summit on Accessibility in 2014,” said President and CEO Patrick Kelly. “As a facility that was built and operates based on the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the OCC is looking forward to exercising our building’s accessibility features for our guests attending the summit. As the host venue, the OCC is honored to be the home of David Fels’ magnificent sculpture.’’
[slideshow id=22354]
With the major theme of Making it Happen – From Intention to Action, the summit taking place July 12 to 15, 2014 will feature experts from around the world, providing a key opportunity for service organizations, governments, the post-secondary sector, hospitals, and others who want to review best practices and create action. Rick Hansen will be a guest speaker.
In particular, the conference will highlight:
- Innovative approaches to accessibility.
- The role of technology in contributing to accessibility for persons with disabilities.
- The concepts and collaborations needed to create accessible communities.
Throughout these themes, a special emphasis will be placed on employment. Also included will be an Avenue of Possibilities – an exhibit featuring some of the best accessibility ideas from around the world.
During the summit, the latest sculpture by Fels will stand as a potent symbol of accessibility. It was crafted from a massive piece of the Brighton Beach Oak, a majestic 300-year-old tree that had been deteriorating for many years. Attempts to extend its life by city officials proved unsuccessful and the tree had to be removed from its home in Old Ottawa South in mid-2011.
“It’s almost like a dance where you work with the concept (of accessibility),’’ said Fels, who has now completed two works from the tree. “It actually transformed as I worked with it. It’s all from the same tree, which represents to me that we are all the same.’’
His first sculpture – Sailing Through Time – now stands in the lobby of Carleton’s River Building as a symbol of the university’s commitment to accessibility, as well as a tribute to the 25th anniversary of Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion World Tour and the launch of the READ Initiative.
This new section of the oak was solid right through and 14 feet in length. It has been transformed into a stylized take on the infinity symbol, demonstrating that the work to achieve an accessible and inclusive world is ongoing.
For more information about the conference, please go to www.accessibilitysummit.ca.
About Carleton University:
Carleton is a leader in accessibility, with the only 24-hour Attendant Services program in North America. Committed to achieving barrier-free accessibility for persons with disabilities who are studying, visiting or working at Carleton, the issue is an integral part of the university’s strategic plan. Carleton has a variety of other services, groups and committees on campus devoted to providing the best experience to all members of our community. Carleton’s Paul Menton Centre has recently launched a new organization called the READ Initiative (Research, Education, Accessibility and Design) geared to increasing programs and research in the areas of disability, universal design, accessibility and inclusion.
About Ottawa Convention Centre – Canada’s Meeting Place:
A bold, modern design, a bright naturally-lit interior, magnificent views…the all-new Ottawa Convention Centre offers unparalleled, environmentally-responsible setting and support for Ottawa conventions, conferences, meetings and exhibits – large and small. Its 100 ft. / 31 m. high sweeping window façade faces the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site and Parliament Hill.
- 192,000 sq. ft. / 17,837 sq. m. of usable space
- 28 meeting rooms in maximum configuration
- 55,741 sq. ft. / 5,178 sq. m. multipurpose hall with capacity 6,260 theatre-style, 4,600 banquet style
- 19,032 sq. ft. / 1,768 sq. m. ballroom with view of the Rideau Canal and Parliament Hill
- crEATe kitchen studio – createkitchen.ca
For more information:
Steven Reid
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
(613) 520-2600, ext. 8718
(613) 265-6613
Steven_Reid3@Carleton.ca
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Cunewsroom
Need an expert? Go to: www.carleton.ca/newsroom/experts
For more information about Ottawa Convention Centre:
Daniel Coates
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Ottawa Convention Centre
T:(613) 688-8220
F: (613) 563-7646
dcoates@ottawaconventioncentre.com
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/OttawaConvCentr
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 in News Releases
Share: Twitter, Facebook
