The Centre for Independent Living in Toronto is proud to present:
The Vic Willi Legacy Fund Award
This award will be granted to a CILT member, or an ally recommended by a CILT member, who is a young disabled person showing leadership in disability activism and disability rights. The award recipient will receive a Lifetime Membership at CILT and a cash prize of $300. Current employees of CILT cannot apply.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: September 22nd, 2023 by 5:00 pm
ELIGIBILITY CRITIERIA:
Eligible recipients must be:
•16 to 29 years of age, and
•persons with physical, sensory, mental health related and/or cognitive disabilities
•We encourage applications from disabled people who are also part of BIPOC, queer and trans communities, immigrant and refugee communities, poor and/or underhoused people, and other communities who experience systemic barriers
In selecting a recipient for the award, we are looking for applicants who:
•are making a difference, are change makers in the community, or display emerging leadership in disability activism and disability rights
•are making change that is impactful, relevant, creative and innovative in key areas affecting life with disability (e.g. transportation, accessibility, education, housing, service, integration, etc)
•are making change with respect to challenging assumptions regarding disabled people and/or the barriers or policies restricting them
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
The application process requires applicants to demonstrate what they have been doing or plan to do relevant to the criteria above. In the application, the applicant must state why and how they believe the award will help them to increase their personal leadership skill/knowledge in the disability community. The applicant should also indicate clearly how the award will be used.
Applications can be made through a short (2 page) essay or a short (2 minute) video explaining why the nominee should be granted the award. Alternative methods of application (and/or communication) will also be considered.
Application can be by self-nomination or by another person, in which case the nominator must seek permission of the applicant.
TO APPLY:
1.Please complete the application form, below.
2.Please include a short (2 page) essay or a short (2 minute) video explaining how the applicant meets the award criteria (noted above) with the application.
3.Please include one (1) letter of reference or support from a CILT member (if applicant is not a CILT member)
4.Submit your completed application to:
Email: cilt@cilt.ca
Vic Willi Legacy Award Nomination Application
AWARD:
•Lifetime Membership at CILT; and,
•Cash prize of $300.
About Vic Willi:
Vic Willi was the executive director for the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto from 1989 to 2006. During this time, his leadership resulted in significant initiatives, such as the Self-Managed, Direct Funding Attendant service program in Ontario. He, along with other disability leaders and allies, created and advocated to the government for this unique program that puts disabled people in control of their own services and their own lives. This Direct Funding program challenges and counters the assumptions that disabled people are passive recipients of service and lack agency over their lives. Another important issue for Vic was bringing the younger generation into leadership roles within the disability community.
The Vic Willi Legacy Award is to honour Vic’s leadership and commitment to equity, diversity and social justice for disabled people. This award emphasizes these qualities of Vic and supports developing young disability leaders in Canada. Disabled people and their allies have developed this award for the next generation of disabled leaders.
