Description
The RMTAO AIDE (Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity & Equity) Impact Award recognizes a member whose leadership has made a meaningful and sustained impact on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within the massage therapy profession in Ontario, the healthcare system, or the broader community.
This award honours individuals who create more inclusive, equitable, accessible, and welcoming environments for others. The recipient may demonstrate this through leadership, advocacy, education, community service, professional practice, mentorship, or other initiatives that reduce barriers and promote greater access, participation, belonging, and respect. RMTAO values lived experience as a form of expertise, alongside clinical, academic, and advocacy contributions, and recognizes the often-unseen work of mentorship, community building, and informal advocacy.
Criteria
Recipients of the RMTAO AIDE Impact Award will:
- Be an Active or Life Member of the RMTAO in good standing.
- Actively champion Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity & Equity initiatives, including those whose lived experience within an equity-deserving community informs and strengthens their contributions.
- Have demonstrated compassion, respect, cultural humility, and a commitment to creating environments where individuals feel valued, welcomed, and able to participate fully.
We especially welcome nominations of leaders from equity-deserving communities, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, Black and racialized people, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities. Self-identification is always voluntary and confidential and is never required to be considered for this award.
Areas of Contribution
The AIDE Impact Award recipient will have demonstrated meaningful engagement and leadership in one or more of the following areas:
- Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Leadership & Advocacy: Creating, supporting, or promoting accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and equity initiatives within the profession, workplace, educational environment, healthcare system, or community.
- Awareness & Education: Advancing awareness and understanding of the experiences, strengths, and needs of equity-deserving and historically underserved communities.
- Barrier Reduction & Accessibility: Identifying and reducing barriers to care, professional participation, education, or community engagement, including physical, financial, linguistic, cultural, and attitudinal barriers.
- Policy & Systems Change: Advocating for, or achieving, meaningful and lasting change in policy, practice, education, or organizational culture that contributes to a more equitable and inclusive profession.
- Community Impact & Support: Developing or supporting initiatives that improve the experiences, opportunities, access, or wellbeing of patients, colleagues, students, or community members.
- Accessibility Advancement: Strengthening accessibility in clinical practice, education, or the profession, including efforts aligned with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
- Reconciliation & Indigenous Inclusion: Supporting reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, including responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action.
- Mentorship & Capacity Building: Serving as a role model, mentor, sponsor, educator, advocate, or community champion, while creating space and opportunities for others to lead.
- Sustained Commitment to AIDE: Demonstrating long-term dedication to advancing accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and equity through professional, volunteer, or community-based activities.
Nominations
There will be a call for nominations made by the RMTAO Board of Directors. Both self-nominations and peer nominations are welcome. Nominations may be submitted in writing or in an alternative format (e.g., audio or video). Supporting letters or documents may also be included. Please contact the RMTAO (info@rmtao.com) if you require an accommodation to submit a nomination. Please submit your nomination by Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.
Selection Process
The Membership and Elections Committee (MEC) reviews all nominations against the criteria above. Committee members declare any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from reviewing affected nominations. The MEC then recommends up to four (4) candidates to the Board of Directors, which selects the recipient.