A student from Panorama Ridge Secondary has been honoured for her work in fostering education on accessibility in the district.
The Rick Hansen Foundation School Program recently announced this year's five youth winners, with Surrey student Leena Sansoa being one of two from B.C. chosen.
"In addition to becoming the first student representative member (on Surrey Schools' Accessibility Advisory Committee) in June 2023, she is also a provincial advocate/spokesperson for accessibility in schools in British Columbia," a press release from the foundation reads.
"She was involved in creating and editing videos including the BC CAISE School Site Accessibility checklist promotional video. The videos create awareness about physical spaces and the built environment and ways that people who are partially sighted or blind might communicate."
This year's winners chosen by the Rick Hansen Foundation, which works to remove barriers for those living with disabilities, comes on the heels of National Accessibility Week, which was observed from May 25 to 31.
“Since the School Program began in 2001, we have been continually inspired and impressed by the incredible work being done by youth across Canada to advance accessibility and inclusion,” said Laura McBride, sr. director awareness at the Rick Hansen Foundation.
“As we celebrate National AccessAbility Week, this is an incredible reminder about why a program like this holds so much value in schools and communities across the country. Through the projects initiated by these five recipients we are witnessing real change happening in schools and communities.”
