Archive for the ‘Latest News’ Category

Distance Computer Comfort Program Update

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Computers play an important role in our lives. Not only are they essential in business, they have become one of the main ways people communicate with each other and access news and information.

Since 1981, the Neil Squire Society (new window)’s Computer Comfort Program has been helping Canadians with disabilities learn how to use computers, enabling them to become more fully participating members of society. Working one-on-one with volunteer tutors, Computer Comfort participants work towards their individual computer goals. Working at their own pace, participants gain confidence and learn how to use various computer programs, the internet, email, and different types of assistive technology.

Last year, the Neil Squire Society (new window) began offering this program via Distance Learning with great success. To date, the Distance Computer Comfort Program has helped 59 participants in 30 communities and in 6 provinces and territories across Canada.

Many of these participants are from remote communities where there are no such programs available. Some live with mobility or health issues which make it difficult for them to attend sessions outside their home. Now, with the help of Distance Computer Comfort, these marginalized individuals have the skills necessary to seek employment, education, or volunteer opportunities; and participate more fully in society.

New Partnership Expands Employ-Ability Program in New Brunswick

Friday, July 29th, 2011

An exciting new partnership is now underway in New Brunswick (new window).

E-learning managers from the Central Valley Adult Learning Association (new window) met with staff from the Neil Squire Society (new window) in the Atlantic Region for a crash course on the Employ-Ability program.

In June, the Neil Squire Society (new window) and the Central Valley Adult Learning Association (new window) signed a memorandum of understanding to pilot the Employ-Ability program in eight e-learning centers throughout New Brunswick (new window). Through this new partnership and exciting distance learning technologies, the Neil Squire Society (new window) will be able to reach out to even more individuals with disabilities, especially those in rural communities. It is truly a win-win situation for everyone involved.

E-learning managers were treated to a full day of interactive activities, introductions to the Neil Squire Society (new window) and all that we do, and an afternoon of experiential learning where they got to experience for themselves the wonders of distance learning with Moodle and Elluminate (new window).  And of course, as with every successful meeting, there were lots of goodies to eat as well!

Distance Learning Coordinator, Julie Chamberlain, showcased the blended learning approach of the Employ-Ability program by having e-learning managers work through the Introducing Wellness for Work component on Moodle just as actual Employ-Ability participants would. She then brought the group together to do a paper based lesson on values and beliefs. The e-learning managers even had the opportunity to hook up with Charles Levasseur, our Assistive Technology Specialist from Moncton via Elluminate (new window), so he could demonstrate some of its key features.

It was a great day of learning, not only about new technologies, but also about ourselves and each other, something we are fortunate to experience in the Employ-Ability program everyday.

[In this photo, from left to right: Elizabeth Phillips (CVALA E-Learning Manager- Stanley), Tara Gray (CVALA Director of Operations), Paula Thomas (CVALA E-Learning Manager- Stanley), Julie Chamberlain (Neil Squire Society, Distance Learning Coordinator), Jennifer MacGougan (CVALA E-Learning Manager- Oromocto), Stacey Johnston (CVALA E-Learning Manager- McAdam), Robert Belyea (CVALA E-Learning Manager- Douglas), Amanda Morgan (CVALA E-Learning Manager- Kingsclear), Ashley Currie (CVALA Acting Director of Operations)]

Distance Learning Connects Canadians with Disabilities

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

The summer edition of The Bulletin, put out by contactpoint.ca, is finally here and we are thrilled to have one of our own articles about Distance Learning published in it! Read the full article.