It’s Nova Scotia Access Week.
St. Francis Xavier University is celebrating and promoting accessibility and inclusion on campus.
On Monday, the university kicked off events by presenting Brendan Doyle with the inaugural Jeffery Murray Award for Accessible and Inclusive Communities.
Doyle was recognized for transforming the Antigonish Arena into a welcoming environment for all.
According to a release, nominators say when Doyle became arena manager in 2022, one of the first things he did was prioritize changes to allow for it to become “a more accessible friendly facility.”
The new award is named for Jeff Murray who passed away in March 2024 at age 42.
Well-known in the StFX community, Murray overcame the physical challenges of cerebral palsy to inspire, connect with, and advocate for others.
Murray’s story is told in the documentary, The Roadrunner.
Kerri-Lyn Murray Brown thanked StFX for honouring her brother’s legacy and for its commitment to “carry forward the work he was so passionate about: to create more inclusive communities.”
Nova Scotia was the first province in Canada to champion Access Awareness Week as an extension of Rick Hansen’s 1987 Man in Motion World Tour.
This year’s theme is ‘Our Voices, Our Votes: Disability Rights in Action.’
