Archive for the ‘Latest News’ Category

Anniversary Celebration – 29 years!

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

Can you believe it?! The Neil Squire Society has been around for 29 years and has helped over 25,000 people! We think that is a great reason to celebrate and there is no one else we would rather celebrate with than you.

We would love to know how the Neil Squire Society has made an impact in your life in the past 29 years. Just fill out the form below and tell us a story about your experience.

Once you fill out the form you will be entered into a draw for your chance to win a $100 gift card of your choice.

The winner will be announced on our anniversary, June 19th, 2013. Make sure to enter before then.

If you would like to enter a picture with your story, you can upload one with your name to our facebook page.

If you have any questions you can contact us at info@neilsquire.ca.

Disability Awareness Week in New Brunswick

Thursday, May 30th, 2013

            The Neil Squire Society’s Atlantic Regional office is excited to be hosting the Walk and Roll Challenge (new window) on May 31^st, 2013 during Disabiltiy Awareness Week (new window). Last year 22,000 people participated in the challenge, raising awareness of people with disabilties across New Brunswick (new window). This year the Neil Squire Society has a past Employ-Ability participant, Kevin Brennan, organizing the event. Kevin, who has a physical disabiltiy, wanted to share his story during Disability Awareness Week.

“Late in the summer of 2012 some good fortune came my way. No, I did not win the lotto, but what did occur, in a way, was even better. 

            What followed was more than six months of focussed exploration of work-values, habits and, admittedly, some self-defeating misconceptions surrounding accessibility to employment—definitely not the typical one day dust-off-your-resume workshop approach. 

            It has been my observation that the most successful people are those who consistently play to their strengths. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of where their strengths lie. The Employ-Ability Program helps people, firstly, to find their strong points, then, secondly, to match their interests and sometimes newly discovered abilities to employment choices they may never before have even considered. That is what happened to me. Over the course of half a year, my facilitators saw in me the ability to assume greater workplace responsibilities. I was hired on as co-ordinator of the 2013 Walk and Roll Challenge. 

Now in its 26^th year, this province wide awareness raising event is held in conjunction with Disability Awareness Week and will take place in 2013 on Friday, May 31^st. The motivation behind the Walk and Roll Challenge is to imprint on the public the idea that although people may face various physical challenges, their imagination and creative talent have not been diminished.  Also, that employers should come to know that a great pool of motivated people representing a variety of strengths lie waiting for the opportunity to make their contribution to society. The Walk and Roll Challenge has nothing to do with raising funds, but is all about raising awareness.

My work has brought me in contact with nearly every school in New Brunswick, as well as several businesses and various service providers. The distinction between learning curve and learning experience has been blurred, and I have the Employ-Ability Program at the Neil Squire Society to thank for steering me in the direction of my current job.”

For more infromation about the Neil Squire Society’s Atlantic Regional office please contact:

Fredericton phone: 506-450-7999
Moncton phone: 506-856-9101
Toll-Free phone: 1-866-466-7999

PechaKucha Night – Geeks for Good

Wednesday, May 29th, 2013

Chad Leaman, Director of Development at the Neil Squire Society, was asked to present at the very first PechaKucha event in New Westminster. Chad had 20 slides, shown for 20 seconds each, to share how unique innovations in technology have been used, and are still used, to help people with disabilities.

Click here to watch Chad’s witty and interactive presentation.

What is a PechaKucha event you ask?

“PechaKucha Nights are informal and fun gatherings where creative people get together and share their ideas, works, thoughts, holiday snaps — just about anything, really — in the PechaKucha 20×20 format.”