LipSync Update Part 2
This is part 2 of a 3 part series that explores the LipSync device. To read part 1, click here. In this edition, we interview Chad Leaman, Director of Innovation at Neil Squire Society, for the inside scoop on the LipSync.
LipSync Update Part 1
In case you haven’t heard of it, the LipSync is a next generation USB mouse emulation device which can be used in conjunction with any smartphone, tablet, or PC. The device is small and portable, and it can easily be mounted to a desk or wheelchair, allowing users with limited mobility to more easily interact with technology by controlling mouse clicks with a mouthpiece.
Ergotron WorkFit-TL Sit-Stand Desktop Workstation
We recently received the WorkFit-TL Sit-Stand Desktop Workstation from Ergotron. A standout feature is that the keyboard tray can be positioned below the level of the desk. This is great news for shorter users who are constantly reaching up with their arms and shoulders to access their keyboard on the desk surface. The lower keyboard platform encourages proper ergonomic positioning of the upper extremities by reducing the amount of reaching required while keyboarding from a seated position.
Neil Squire Society to Empower Students with Disabilities
Neil Squire Society to Empower Students with Disabilities through Assistive Technology in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan
Neil Squire Solutions will be providing assistive technology support to students and teachers at the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, with a focus on helping students with disabilities transition from school to post-secondary education/training or employment.
Solutions will be reviewing and assessing the current teaching strategies at six schools in the region, with an eye to improving learning for students with disabilities. They will assist teachers in investigating and demonstrating the use of assistive technology in their classrooms, and they will support students with disabilities in the use of technological supports to maximize their learning. Solutions will provide professional development training in the use of text-to speech software, word prediction software, and organizational tools.
Nikki Langdon
Nikki Langdon, BPas(Kin), RRP, CVP
Solutions Departmental Specialist / Regional Manager, Director of Consultation and Assessment
Nikki is the Regional Director for the Prairies and Northern Territories of the Neil Squire Society and has worked with people with disabilities for over 35 years in career development. Nikki holds a Bachelor’s degree with Great Distinction in Adapted Physical Activity Studies (Kinesiology) and has been awarded the YWCA Woman of Distinction award in Leadership and Management. She holds the Registered Rehabilitation Professional Certification from the Vocational Rehabilitation Society of Canada and the Certified Vocational Professional and Return to Work Disability Manager designations from the College of Vocational Professionals.
Nikki has also authored four books to date and continues to write and publish. She is also a keynote speaker about living with a disability and has spoken at many conferences.
Charles Levasseur
Charles Levasseur, ATACP, LSLD/ATLD, LDGC
Solutions Departmental Specialist / Regional Manager / Assistive Technology and Learning Disability Specialist / Spécialiste départemental des Solutions / Directeur Régional / Spécialiste en technologie d’assistance et en troubles d’apprentissage
Charles started at the Neil Squire Society in 2002 and since 2013 has developed the Department of Education and Early Childhood Education (NB) highly successful plan to increase Assistive Technology (AT) supports throughout the educational system. He also developed the AT Help Desk, a 24/7 technology help line for NB students. He is a bilingual Certified Assistive Technology Specialist (California State University, Northridge) with an Applied Learning Disability Specialist certification LSLD/ATLD (LDED) from Cambrian College in Ontario. He also holds a Diploma from CCNB-Edmundston, and has completed the Online Teacher/Trainer Certificate program from Conestoga College, Kitchener, ON. He came to the Neil Squire Society from the private sector in the information technology/e-learning industry as a Chief Technology Officer and holds various Microsoft certifications.
Harry Lew
Harry Lew, P.Eng., CUA
Solutions Departmental Specialist / Manager of Research and Development
Harry Lew joined the Neil Squire Society’s Research and Development Group in 1985 as an Electrical Engineer. He has over 26 years of experience in developing products for the unique needs of persons with disabilities using user centered design techniques. He also has experience in designing electronics devices from prototype to pre-production. As Manager of Research and Development, Harry is in charge of a robust engineering team that can develop specialized technology solutions for clients, all in house. He also is responsible for the development of new research and product initiatives in addition to creating and executing heuristic reviews and focus groups of products and services for accessibility and usability
New Website Launch
The Neil Squire Society is proud to launch our new Neil Squire Solutions website focused on assistive technology and ergonomic assessments. We’re a Canadian not-for-profit organization that has been empowering Canadians with disabilities for over 30 years. Our vision is a world with economic and social inclusiveness for all people with disabilities. Having served over 30,000 people since 1984, we help clients remove barriers to independent-living, allowing them to be active members of society.
Our headquarters are in Burnaby, British Columbia, but you can also find us at our research and development (R&D) laboratories in both Burnaby and Vancouver, British Columbia where we’re testing out the latest in assistive technology and ergonomics. If you’re elsewhere in Canada, we have regional offices in Regina, Saskatchewan; Ottawa, Ontario; and Fredericton and Moncton, New Brunswick.
Gemma Pollock
Gemma Pollock, MScOT, OT
Occupational Therapist
Gemma Pollock received her undergraduate degree in human kinetics from the University of British Columbia. Before entering the field of occupational therapy, she gained experience in customer service, administration, and program planning in the field of community recreation. In 2016 she completed a Masters’ of Science in Occupational Therapy from Queen’s University. Gemma enjoys using a client-centred approach to find solutions that enable clients to reach their goals and promote independence. Gemma’s past occupational therapy experience includes working in private practice, providing assessment, interventions, and case management for individuals with a variety of health conditions. She focuses on coaching and educating clients on self-management for daily activities, and how ergonomics and assistive technologies can assist with symptom management and achieving goals.
Gary Birch
Gary Birch, O.C., O.B.C., PhD, P.Eng.
Solutions Departmental Specialist / Executive Director
Gary Birch was appointed Director of Research and Development at the Neil Squire Society in 1988 and then in 1994 was appointed Executive Director. He is responsible for the on-going operations at the Neil Squire Society including the supervision of a Research and Development team; the preparation and supervision of contract proposals and budgets for government sponsored service delivery projects; and the overall future direction and development of the Neil Squire Society.
Dr. Birch earned his B.A. Sc. in Electrical Engineering in 1983, and in 1988 received a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering (Biomedical Signal Processing), both from the University of British Columbia. His specific areas of expertise are assistive technologies, EEG signal processing, direct brain-computer interface, digital signal processing, human-machine interface systems, biological systems, robotic control systems, environmental control systems and service delivery programs for persons with disabilities.
Dr. Birch’s current professional affiliations and contributions include: Adjunct Professor at UBC, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Adjunct Professor, SFU, Gerontology Research Program; Chair of the Minister’s National Advisory Committee for Industry Canada on Assistive Devices; Member of the Executive Technical Committee on Assistive Technologies for Persons with Disabilities for the Canadian Standards Association; Member of the Research Advisory and Review Committee for GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre; Member of the Advisory Committee for the Disabilities Health Research Network in British Columbia; Member of the Task Force representing Disability Advocacy Groups and Telecommunication Companies on Accessible Telecommunications in response to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on Deferral Accounts; Member of the Sub-committee on Access to Technology for Council of Canadians with Disabilities; Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee on employment issues for BC Region of the Federal Government and the Provincial Government of BC.
Dr. Birch was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame by the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons in 1998. In 2008 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honor for lifetime achievement, for his work with the Neil Squire Society. In 2012 we was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, and in 2017 he was appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest form of recognition.
Visit Gary Birch’s profile page on LinkedIn.
