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.