FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON, Friday, October 28, 2011 –Algonquin College proudly welcomed Canadian Paralympian Rick Hansen to the Woodroffe Campus as he celebrated the 25th Anniversary of his Man in Motion World Tour. While on campus, Rick honoured two members of the Algonquin College Community by passing them the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay Medal.

"It's an honour to be carrying a medal from Rick Hansen himself," says Wayne McIntyre, Former Director of Student Support Services at Algonquin College. "It is great to see one person make such a huge impact on accessibility throughout Canada. Rick is a great role model for Algonquin College students who are poised to take leadership positions and make a difference."

Sally Thomas, Algonquin College Alumna, who also carried the medal from Rick says "It is truly a humbling experience to carry the medal from Rick Hansen. Being recognized as a difference maker is something that means a lot to me, and meeting him was really inspiring."

Along with the medal relay, Rick Hansen gave a keynote speech urging the Algonquin College Community to "Pledge to be a Difference Maker." Hansen also shared the stage with Jason Dunkerley, a three-time Paralympic medallist, training to compete for Canada at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and Canadian singer/songwriter with Larsen's syndrome, Justin Hines, who both shared their stories through videos and songs.

"Since August 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador, our 25th Anniversary Relay has traveled through five provinces as it makes its way westward, recognizing those who have made a difference in their community and in the lives of others," said Rick Hansen. "In addition to the fantastic support we have received from government leaders in our nation's capital and across the country, it is energizing to see the support we have received from the next generation of leaders. With that, our entire team is extremely grateful to Algonquin College for their support, and I am wholeheartedly impressed that they have chosen to adopt our values of recognizing difference makers through their own campaign."

Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, encouraged the community to follow Rick Hansen's lead and get involved in parasport, whether as an athlete, coach, official or volunteer.

"Rick Hansen's accomplishments are an example to all Canadians," said Henry Storgaard. "His contribution to the Paralympic Movement over the years – from his numerous wheelchair racing victories to the Man in Motion tour, along with massive fundraising and awareness campaigns – have helped many Canadians with disabilities discover the joy and benefits of sport. He's a true champion and it's been a delight to spend time with him on his Ottawa visit."

This event was planned and organized, in large part, by the faculty members in Algonquin College's Event Management Graduate Certificate program who wanted to help raise awareness for accessibility in public institutions.

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Algonquin College Coordinator, Professor and Field Placement Coach for the Event Management Program, Sylvia Densmore, drew inspiration for this event from her experience in the original Rick Hansen Man in Motion Tour twenty-five years ago. "That experience changed my life and I am excited to be part of the team bringing Rick Hansen to Algonquin College. A key role we play as teachers is to instill in our students the importance of giving back to their communities. This includes helping them to understand the profound impact that small acts of kindness, compassion and acceptance can have on the lives of others. We are proud of all the "Difference Makers" we graduate from Algonquin College."

Algonquin College's Event Management Graduate Certificate program is a one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate that provides students with the expertise and professionalism required to succeed in the fast-paced and exciting industry of event management. The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation for planning any type of event. During the year, students work in teams to plan and execute an event. Students also participate in a field work placement where they gain experience and meet valuable contacts.

The Rick Hansen Foundation has raised more than $250 million since Hansen and his team wheeled over 40,000 kilometers through 34 countries 25 years ago. The Man In Motion World Tour was powered by Hansen's belief that the world should be more accessible and inclusive to people living with a spinal cord injury, as he does. He also hoped researchers would one day find a cure.

For more information, please visit: http://www.rickhansenrelay.com/en/

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About Algonquin College:

Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is located in the Nation's Capital and the Ottawa Valley and is the largest college in Eastern Ontario. Algonquin is a leader in the integration of technology into learning. Algonquin College has a diverse population of more than 18,000 full-time students and over 36,000 part-time registrations in over 170 programs and is committed to student success. www.algonquincollege.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/algonquincolleg

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee:

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca

Contact:

David Hall
Communications Officer
Algonquin College
Office: (613) 727-4723 ext. 2091
Cell: (613) 220-7796
david.hall@algonquincollege.com

Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: 613-569-4333 ext. 243
Cell: 613-298-4927
akorn@paralympic.ca

Web: Paralympic.ca
Facebook: Facebook.com/CDNParalympics
Twitter: @CDNParalympics
YouTube: YouTube.com/CDNParalympics