Archive for the ‘Latest News’ Category

British Columbia Spinal Cord Injury Community Services Networking Retreat

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

In January 2012, five organizations, Neil Squire Society (new window), The Disability Foundation (new window), BC Paraplegic Association (new window), BC Wheelchair Sports (new window), and the BC Wheelchair Basketball Society (new window), came together to build on their relationships and utilize each other’s resources to be able to assist people living with a spinal cord injury.

This fusion of ‘British Columbia’s spinal cord injury community services network ’ was supported by the Rick Hansen Institute (new window), encouraging these five organizations to continually create bonds and educate one another on how they can support more people living with spinal cord injuries (new window).

With the use of technology, education, and dedication, the opportunities that these organizations are promoting to people living with spinal cord injuries are endless.  From playing sports, going sailing, and learning music, to finding a career and adapting to the everyday needs of life, the connection between these organizations will help people with a spinal cord injury have the opportunity for a better quality of life.

Burnaby Youth Helps Out in Computer Comfort

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Last week our Computer Comfort Program received a little bit of extra help thanks to an intern named Isaiah, a secondary school student from Burnaby (new window), British Columbia. Isaiah took the time to describe the experience in his own words:

“During my time here, I’ve done many things. I learned many things. What I did this week was mainly wiping hard drives and installing a new copy of Windows XP (new window). In addition to this, I also did a little but of tech support and sat in on  a single class of PowerPoint (new window). I also experimented with various input devices such as various mice and keyboards.”

We were thrilled to have Isaiah join us!

Petitcodiac Community Connections

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

Recently, staff from the Neil Squire Society’s Atlantic region attended the Petitcodiac (new window)Community Connections event. This event, which took place at Petitcodiac Regional School (new window), was a chance for businesses, organizations, clubs, and other service groups to come together to showcase what they have to offer the community.

This was a tremendous opportunity for Diana Hall, Atlantic Regional Manager, and Charles Levasseur, Assistive Technology Specialist, to talk about the services the Neil Squire Society offers and to bring awareness to disability issues to a large number of people. Better yet, with approximately 50 teachers, a handful of parents, and over 830 students passing through the gymnasium where the Neil Squire Society and other exhibitors were set up, it was a lot of fun too!

During the day, students from kindergarten all the way up to grade 12 circulated the gymnasium of Petitcodiac Regional School (new window). In an effort to raise social consciousness among young people, students were given one task, to ask exhibitors, “What does your organization do for our community?” At the Neil Squire booth, the students were captivated by our assistive technology. They could not get enough of the touch screen monitor and numerous types of computer mouse. Hopefully, by hooking the students with the latest and greatest in technology, they will remember the Neil Squire Society and what we taught them about creating an inclusive society for people with disabilities when they return to class to discuss what they learned.

By bringing awareness to youth through education, the Neil Squire Society hopes to fulfill its role as a “catalyst for change”, an advocate for complete economic and social inclusiveness for all people with disabilities.