Edmonton Mayor Bill Smith paid tribute to the dedication to service at NorQuest College in a civic ceremony in May 2001. The Mayor's Award honoured the College and its new Learner Centre for Accessible Architecture. The award was presented by Smith and the City's Advisory Board on Services for Persons with Disabilities.

The Learner Centre was selected for its design, which demonstrates creative sensitivity to making architecture accessible for persons with disabilities. Ron Wickman, the consulting architect, received the award and quickly handed it over to NorQuest College President Wayne Shillington as Wickman said the award truly belongs with the College for its 'vision and dedication to students with disabilities.

Shillington says the College is extremely proud to receive the Mayor's Award. "We were very honoured to accept this award. Knowing that our learner center has been recognized as being open and accessible to everyone in the community is a wonderful tribute to our dedication to students."

l to r :Ron Wickman, architect; Percy Wickman, former Alberta MLA and former City of Edmonton Alderman; Elaine Foulon, Vice President of Instruction at NorQuest College; Dr. Wayne Shillington, President, NorQuest College

Suzanne Panteluk, Coordinator of Learning Support Services at NorQuest says the College continues to see the benefits of the enhanced Learner Centre. "Our students realize the important impact this project has had. The facilities are state of the art and will continue to offer the kinds of support systems that all students need in order to be successful here at the College."

Three other groups were recognized through the Mayor's Award. The Award for Accessible Service was given to the Multiple Sclerosis Society (Edmonton chapter), The Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program and the LRT Stadium Accessibility Project Team.

Features of the NorQuest College Learner Centre

- Linoleum as opposed to carpets to make mobility easier for those in wheelchairs or those using walkers or canes
- Hydraulic assist doors for making door opening easier
- Colour scheme throughout to accommodate individuals with vision problems (high contrast)
- Wide doors (35.5 inches) and hallways (two wheelchairs can pass)
- Walls and fixtures set at right angles (better for visually impaired)
- Enhanced lighting and window covers that reduce glare
- better for everyone
- Computer tables (lasagna) at 29" in common area, LSS and in CAI lab
- Wheelchair accessible
- Increased number of accessible washrooms
- from 2 washrooms to 3 accessible washrooms (including one in LSS), there was only one men’s stall on the entire floor before the renovations
- this meant all men used the disabled washroom
- Sinks in washrooms are accessible
- Service counters at wheelchair height
- Rooms can all accommodate two wheelchairs
- Fire alarms
- louder plus an added visual alarm featuring a flashing red light
- Braille labeling throughout
- Accessible snack counter outside Learner Centre
- TTY pay-phone in hallway and in Learner Centre (phone for the deaf students)
- Assistive technology area is now open to the library allowing for increased access to information for all LSS students
- Isolation rooms for testing
- Isolation rooms for technology training and access
- Isolation rooms for the students with vision impairments
- Bars in breakout room windows to increase visibility for students with vision impairments