David Mooney honoured

By Eric Bourque

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

Yarmouth County resident David Mooney was presented with an award during the Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Awards event that was held in conjunction with Access Awareness Week.

The awards were presented in Halifax.

Mooney received the Encore Award, which recognizes “a person with a disability who has significantly contributed to the community.”

An official with the Partnership for Access Awareness Nova Scotia (PAANS) says Mooney has done much with regard to advocacy for those with disabilities.

“For me David kind of epitomizes the word ‘volunteer,’” said Geoff Fleming, coordinator of Access Awareness Week 2008.

“Through everything that he does, he’s just been a great advocate for persons with disabilities,” Fleming said from his office in Halifax.

Mooney – who faced a health crisis a half-dozen years or so ago, a condition that resulted in multiple amputations – has been an inspiration, Fleming said.

“He has a great sense of humour, but he also is very informative,” he said.

Mooney received his award on the second day of Access Awareness Week (held this year June 1-7).

The annual campaign highlights issues facing people with disabilities.

The Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Awards – named after the late Melbourne Hebb, a former chair of the awards committee – recognize not only individuals but also can go to organizations, businesses or communities/municipalities in recognition of their efforts to improve accessibility.

The hourglass, according to the PAANS website, reflects a “spirit of timely action” on matters having to do with accessibility.

The theme of this year’s campaign was Accessibility for All: The Business of Inclusion.