Author Archive

Neil Squire

Neil Squire has been revolutionizing the lives of Canadians with disabilities since 1984 through accessible assistive technology. Our work is focused on four distinct areas: Innovation, Digital Literacy, Employment, and Assistive Technology.

“[It’s] Much Easier to Do My Job,” New Hearing Aids Make All the Difference for Simon

A person writes on a notepad.

Simon works as a visitor centre agent in Pemberton. His job requires him to speak with tourists both in-person and over the phone, a task made more difficult by his hearing loss.

He had learned about WorkBC Assistive Technology Services from a colleague at work, as well as his hearing aid provider, and decided to apply for funding for the hearing aids he needed for work.

Simon was quickly approved and received funding for a significant portion of the cost of the new hearing aids.

“I’ve Found My Day to Day Less Stressful,” Andrew Says Thanks to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services

A man cleans a glass window.

Andrew is a Building Service Worker, doing custodial work, minor plumbing work, as well as miscellaneous tasks at a shelter.

“I have a moderate to moderately severe hearing loss,” he shares. “This loss has greatly affected my employment and type of employment. I’ve gravitated towards jobs in which I can be primarily left to my own devices. This often is isolating, and limiting in scope of jobs.”

“I Can Hear My Clients Clearly,” New Hearing Aids Help Michelle on the Job

A woman talks on her phone at her desk.

Michelle works at a travel company on Vancouver Island. Her job involves talking a lot with customers over the phone.

However, Michelle has hearing loss which made it difficult to accurately hear her clients.

Her audiologist at Hear Inc recommended she apply to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for help funding a new pair of hearing aids. She applied and was quickly approved.

Charles Levasseur Receives CAOT Citation Award

Alain (right) presenting Charles (left) with the award.

Neil Squire Regional Manager Charles Levasseur was honoured to receive the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Citation Award.

Atlantic Region staff presented the award to Charles during a surprise team meeting on Tuesday.

The CAOT Citation Award acknowledges the contribution to the health and well-being of Canadians by an agency, program, or individual within each province/territory, who is not an occupational therapist. Charles was nominated by the New Brunswick Association of Occupational Therapists.

Charles has worked for Neil Squire for over 20 years, and since 2011, Charles has established several special assistive technology projects for the New Brunswick government. He also developed the AT Help Desk, an assistive technology help line for New Brunswickers with disabilities. He currently sits as chair for the avenueNB Cooperative, which brings more than 20 service providers across the province of New Brunswick together to provide more consistent and more accessible services and increased educational opportunities.

“I Have Experienced a Noticeable Improvement in My Job Performance”

A person types on a computer.

Carolyn coordinates and oversees administrative tasks, covering everything from human resources, finance, keeping the office organized, event planning, project coordination, and health and safety compliance. However, she was facing a barrier at work with her hearing loss.

“Communication is the biggest challenge that impacts me,” she explains.

Her audiologist at Amplifon referred her to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for funding for new hearing aids.

Honouring Indigenous Disability Awareness Month

Text: November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month #IDAM2023

This November, we honour Indigenous Disability Awareness Month.

Indigenous peoples of Canada experience a disability rate significantly higher than that of the general population. Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) brings awareness of these barriers and the issues that Indigenous peoples living with disabilities and their families face every day. More importantly though, in spite of these barriers, IDAM celebrates the achievements of Indigenous peoples living with disabilities and recognize the significant and valuable contributions they make to our communities socially, economically, and culturally every day.

WorkBC Assistive Technology Services Helps Ed Participate in Work Meetings

An engineer wearing a high visibility vest overlooks a giant pipe being fitted on a construction site.

Ed works as a civil engineer in Surrey.

“I lost my hearing almost 10 years ago, which created many barriers and stress. It was very difficult to understand and interact during conversations,” he shares.

His audiologist referred him to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for funding for new hearing aids. He applied to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services and was quickly approved for a new set of hearing aids.

WorkBC Assistive Technology Services Makes Alan’s Work Safer

Three workers walk in a warehouse.

Alan works at a post office sorting plant in Kelowna. He has hearing loss, which made it difficult for him to understand instructions and affected his safety as he was unable to hear all the different moving equipment around him in the busy plant.

“[I] was not able to hear adequately,” he shares.

His audiologist at HearingLife referred him to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for help purchasing new hearing aids. Alan applied to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services and was quickly approved for funding for the hearing aids he needs for work.

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400 – 3999 Henning Drive
Burnaby, BC V5C 6P9
604 473 9360 | 1 877 673 4636
solutions@neilsquire.ca
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400 – 3999 Henning Drive
Burnaby, BC V5C 6P9
778 945 1215
hearingsolutions@neilsquire.ca
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