Toronto, June 6, 2013 – Man in Motion Rick Hansen will receive an honorary degree from York University on Friday, June 7, and speak to Faculty of Health students at their 10:30am convocation ceremony. Accessibility advocate Bengt Lindqvist, who will also be awarded an honorary degree, will speak to students at the 3:30pm Faculty of Health convocation.

Rick Hansen, Doctor of Laws, Friday, June 7, 10:30am −
Athlete, Leader, Social Innovator

Winner of 19 international wheelchair marathons, nine gold medals at the 1982 Pan American Wheelchair Games, and six Paralympic medals, Rick Hansen is renowned for his tireless work in support of persons with disabilities and for promoting barrier-free education. He is best known in Canada and globally as the Man in Motion, who wheeled more than 40,000 kilometres through 34 countries, raising $26 million for spinal cord research and accessibility initiatives. He established the World Record for Longest Wheelchair Marathon, Guinness Book of World Records, and moved thousands of people to make a difference in their communities.

In 1987, Hansen established the Rick Hansen Foundation to continue his quest for an accessible and inclusive world. His leadership has helped to generate more than $280 million for spinal cord research and quality-of-life programs.

Rick Hansen was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the BC Sport Hall of Fame in 2007. He has received the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia.

Rick Hansen quote:

“I am truly grateful to be receiving this honorary degree along with such esteemed individuals. In the celebration of success, our lessons learned and our skills become the scaffolding of our character. Congratulations to the class of 2013 – our next generation of Difference Makers. As life comes at you, there are things over which you have no control. The one fundamental choice that you do have is your attitude. If you hang onto that, and choose optimism and hope, unbelievable things can happen. You define your own reality and know that in the face of adversity come the greatest breakthroughs in innovation. This is the generation that you’re emerging into. This is the opportunity that you have. Never, ever, give up on your dreams.”

Bengt Lindqvist, Doctor of Laws, Friday, June 7, 3:30pm –
Human Rights Activist, Government Leader, Teacher

Bengt Lindqvist’s leadership and dedication to the rights of persons with disabilities has had a lasting effect on the policies of governments and the lives of people throughout the world. Serving as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability from 1994 to 2003, he monitored the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, a framework to further the equality and full participation of persons with disabilities in social life and development. His work led directly to the creation of Disability Rights Promotion International, a collaborative project working to establish a comprehensive and sustainable international system to monitor the human rights of persons with disabilities, which is based at York University.

A language teacher by profession, Bengt Lindqvist was also a Member of Parliament in Sweden from 1982 to 1986, serving as Minister for Social Services and Family Affairs between 1985 and 1991. He is currently serving as Special Advisor to the Ministry for Social Affairs in the field of international disability matters.

Bengt Lindqvist has received numerous awards, including the King’s Medal.

Convocation ceremonies will take place at the Convocation Pavilion located at the Rexall Centre, 1 Shoreham Drive, at York University’s Keele campus (#8 on map).

Ceremonies will be webcast at the following link, which will become live when ceremonies begin: http://www.yorku.ca/mygrad/livewebcast.

York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York U’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre, York U is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York U’s 11 faculties and 28 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 288 leading universities worldwide. York U's community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 250,000 alumni.

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Media Contact:
Joanne Rider, York University, 416 736 5593 / jrider@yorku.ca

Robin Heron, York University, 416 736-2100, ext.22097 / rheron@yorku.ca