BURNABY, British Columbia, May 10, 2011 – The Rick Hansen Institute (new window), with funds raised at the 2010 Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event (new window), has provided the Neil Squire Society with a quality of life (new window) grant in the amount of $13,000. These funds will help the Society deliver the Computer Comfort program to adults with spinal cord injuries in the Greater Vancouver Regional District.
Computer Comfort program, one of the Neil Squire Society’s longest running programs, provides the perfect setting for adults with spinal cord injuries to access a wide range of advanced assistive technology hardware and software to help them overcome the physical barriers that prevent them from successfully working with a computer. Clients are individually assessed at the Society’s Burnaby Centre to determine the assistive technology most appropriate for their needs and are offered one-on-one computer tutoring at no cost in a supportive, client-centered environment; a refurbished donated computer for the home, if needed; and ongoing technical support.
Since 2003, over 200 communities have held events in support of the Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion (new window) program, from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, BC. Corporate sponsors and community partners, volunteers, participants and donors have helped raise over $10.8 million to support more that 950 quality of life (new window) projects to address the priority needs of Canadians living with spinal cord injury. Although the program is currently on hiatus due to this year’s celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of the Rick Hansen Man in Motion World Tour (new window), these projects have made a profound difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities, helping them live life to its fullest potential and making our community stronger, richer and more vibrant.
The Neil Squire Society is the only not-for-profit organization in Canada that for the past 25 years has used technology, knowledge and passion to empower Canadians with physical disabilities. The Society has developed innovative programs and services and some of the world’s leading edge assistive technology for people with physical disabilities. More than 20,000 people with disabilities in Canada have benefited from the work of the Society. With about fifty staff, the Neil Squire Society has offices and provides services to Canadian in Vancouver, Regina, Ottawa, Fredericton, and Moncton, as well as to many small communities across Canada via distance education.
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If you’d like more information about this topic, please contact Suzanne Cross by phone at 604-473-9363 or by e-mail at suzannec@neilsquire.ca.