Honours were bestowed on organisations and members of the community who have championed causes for the physically disabled last night.

Ruth Thomas and Minister of Health and Family Services Nelson Bascome presented the certificates on behalf of the Department of Health in conjunction with the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association at the Underwater Exploration Institute.

Last night was the final public lecture by Al Swain, the guest speaker for Access Week Bermuda 2002. Mr. Swain, who is the associate director of the Capital Area Center for Independent Living in Lansing, Michigan will be leaving the Island today.

Head Librarian Joanne Brangman accepted a certificate given to the Bermuda National Library for its efforts to make the facility more accessible to its disabled users.

Mayor of St. George's Henry Hayward accepted a certificate in appreciation of efforts being made in the town to move it towards being more accessible to people in wheelchair.

Ms Thomas noted: "The town has excellent accessible restrooms off the Town Square with a handicapped parking bay nearby. Sidewalks are being made more wheelchair friendly through the installation of kerb cuts as part of an ongoing process."

The two individuals awarded certificates were lawyer Clare Hatcher who has fought for the rights of people with disabilities in Bermuda, and Gilda Furbert, a long-time civil servant who assumed the role of Specialist Placement Officer.

Ms Thomas said: "Gilda knew this was important work that few others were willing to assume. It required both firmness and patience when working with clients.

"Yet Gilda `went to bat' for her clients, often threatening employers with violation of the Human Rights Act."

The enlightening evening also featured remarks by Mr. Bascome, who sang a rendition of Bob Marley classic `Redemption Song'. He sang a verse and then said a few words about what Access Week means to Bermuda. When he reached the chorus, the audience joined in.

Ms Thomas also read a poem by young Tmara Fubler, a blind CedarBridge student who weighed around one and one half pounds when she was born.

Several lines read: "My Mom didn't care whether I was blind or not, she prayed for me and I know God was determined he wasn't going to let me die.

"So to all those doctors who thought I wasn't strong just look at me now because I have the strength to carry on."

Jeremy Drover, who recently had an accident on a trampoline which left him in a wheelchair, also entertained the crowd with the songs `Superman' and `River'.

As he did throughout his many talks while in Bermuda, Mr. Swain thoroughly entertained the crowd last evening. Included in his presentation was a video on ways to communicate with disabled people.

Titled, `Ten commandments of communicating with people with disabilities', they are:

Speak directly to the person rather than to a companion or sign language interpreter.

Always offer to shake hands when introduced.

Always identify yourself and others who may be with you when meeting someone who is blind

If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted and then listen and wait for instructions.

Treat adults as adults.

Do not lean against or hang on someone's wheelchair. Bear in mind they may treat it as an extension of their body.

Listen attentively when talking to people with difficulty speaking, waiting for them to finish and then paraphrase what you heard.

Place yourself at eye level when speaking with someone in a wheelchair or on crutches.

Tap a person who is deaf on the shoulder or wave a hand to get their attention.

Relax, don't be embarrassed if you say things that seem to be related to a person's disability. (For example, it is fine to say "run," "walk," or "jump," to a person in a wheelchair)