Hines concert a perfect cap off for National Access Awareness Week

Twenty-eight year old singer/songwriter, Justin Hines performs for the sizeable audience gathered at the Brockville Arts Centre last Wednesday evening, for the closing celebration of National Access Awareness Week (NAAW), a grass-roots initiative advocating for social change in attitudes and support of people with disabilities. Hines, who was diagnosed with Larsen’s Syndrome, a rare congenital joint condition, shortly after birth, is wheel-chair bound, a condition that he says keeps him bound in body, but not in spirit.
“I often get asked about how I feel about being in a chair,” Hines told the crowd before launching into one of his many meaningful melodies that have earned him national attention. 
“But, I never know what to say because I never really saw myself as any different from other people and luckily, I’ve been really blessed that the people around me share that outlook.”
Hines continued that he has been “carrying tunes” since he was a child, and credits his grandmother for getting him started by singing in church.
“Justin is a shining example of someone who has a dream and is willing to do anything to pursue it,” added host, Ryan Billings.
“He has a positive outlook and a lot of talent, and that can take you anywhere.”
The celebration, which kicked off in Brockville on Monday, May 30th, was one of several in Ontario, marking the 6th anniversary of the province's groundbreaking Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.  The first standard to be implemented under the act, which addresses accessible customer service, is already in place for the broader public sector and will require all Ontario businesses to meet the standard by January 1st, 2012, the ultimate goal being to make the entire province accessible by 2025.