Chelsea Osiowy, Bkin, ATACP

Manager of Solutions Prairie Region

Chelsea has been with the Neil Squire Society since 2018. After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Regina, she eagerly began working at the Neil Squire Society. She enjoys finding inventive solutions that span from optimizing Office and Industrial ergonomics to harnessing the potential of creative applications. She encourages a client-centered approach in her work, using accommodations and assistive supports to minimize discomfort, and maximize independence. Chelsea is an Assistive Technology Specialist (California State University, Northridge) and an Ergonomics Specialist (University of Fredericton) who provides assessments and training in these fields, as well as accessibility evaluations, disability awareness presentations, and support consultations. In a dynamic industry, she enjoys continuously staying updated with the latest technology trends and connecting with her clients to find solutions to any barrier, big or small.

Visit Chelsea Osiowy’s profile page on LinkedIn.

• Read More

Eric Chau, MOT, CWCE, Reg. OT (BC)

Occupational Therapist

Eric Chau received his Bachelor of Kinesiology degree in 2017 and Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2019, both from the University of British Columbia. Prior to and during his work as an Occupational Therapist, Eric has been greatly involved in academia, including graduate level teaching, presentations at research conferences, and is published as a first author in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. His past occupational therapy experience includes working in private practice, performing functional capacity evaluations, worksite visits and return to work planning, ergonomic assessments and job demands analyses, work simulations, community rehabilitation, and case management. Eric is driven in his clinical practice to help promote maximum independence with clients by leveraging available assistive technology and innovative solutions to bridge gaps between functional ability, activity demands, and environmental affordances.

Visit Eric Chau’s profile page on LinkedIn.

• Read More

Claudia Maldonado completed her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta in 1999. Claudia worked in public health care in the Fraser Health Authority and Island Health for the next for 18 years in various areas including acute care, acute neurology, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Orthopedics, and in two Intensive Inpatient Neurological Rehabilitation Programs. In 2017, Claudia started working in private practice providing occupational therapy services and case management to individuals with a variety of health conditions. Claudia joined the coveted Neil Squire family in 2019 when an office was opened in Nanaimo. Claudia thrives in assisting clients independently return to various productivity roles through the use of assistive technology and ergonomics.

Visit Claudia Mondonado’s profile page on LinkedIn.

• Read More

Khatidja Malick

Digital Technology Specialist

Khatidja teaches individuals basic digital literacy skills on phones and computers while using assistive technology. Her expertise is working with people with vision disabilities ranging from low vision to complete vision loss. She’s also interested in website and document accessibility. With Solutions, she assists with software trials and training.

She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Technology from British Columbia Institute of Technology, and is certified trainer for JAWS, a screen reader program that helps individuals with no vision use the computer.

• Read More

Alain Désir, MSc. OT (Reg NB), M.Biomed.Eng.

Occupational Therapist

Alain joined Neil Squire in 2018 as the organization’s first Occupational Therapist on staff in the Atlantic region. Alain has held a variety of positions in the health field as a case worker for individuals with mental health disabilities, as an OT in homecare, and as a clinical specialist in telehealth. Alain has also worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a biomedical engineer. Alain enjoys working with people and technology. He says that “working with the Neil Squire gives me the opportunity to combine these two interests of mine”.

Alain Désir, MSc Erg (Enr. NB), M.Gen.Biomed.

Ergothérapeute

Alain s’est joint à Neil Squire en 2018 comme le premier ergothérapeute de l’organisation dans la région Atlantique.  Alain a détenu des postes dans le domaine de la santé comme travailleur communautaire en déficience intellectuelle, comme ergothérapeute en maintien à domicile, et comme spécialiste clinique en télésanté. Il a aussi évolué dans l’industrie pharmaceutique comme ingénieur biomédical. Alain apprécie travailler avec les gens et avec la technologie. Il atteste que travailler à Neil Squire lui donne l’opportunité de combiner ses deux intérêts.

• Read More

Heather Ritchie, MSc, Aud(C), RAUD, RHIP

Registered Audiologist & Hearing Instrument Practitioner

Heather graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Ottawa in 2014. She discovered her passion for evidence-based practice while working for several years in the field of medical imaging research at The Ottawa Hospital. Heather joined the Neil Squire team after earning her Master of Science in Audiology from the University of British Columbia’s School of Audiology and Speech Sciences in 2019. As a certified audiologist, she is registered with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia (CSHBC).

As each person’s journey to better hearing is unique, Heather strives to develop strategies that are tailored to each person’s requirements. She closely follows the newest developments in hearing research, using recent advances in technology to find these unique solutions for her clients’ communication needs. She finds it deeply rewarding to help people achieve their potential and watch the quality of their lives improve.

Heather is currently pursuing her advanced certification in Cerumen Management, as well as the UBC Award of Achievement in American Sign Language (ASL).

Visit Heather Ritchie’s profile page on LinkedIn.

• Read More

Alissa Roseman, MScOT, Reg. OT (BC)

Occupational Therapist

Alissa Roseman completed her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy at McGill University in 2013. Alissa’s past occupational therapy experience includes working in public health care in a variety of settings, including acute care and mental health facilities, providing assessment, program development, specialized seating solutions, and other equipment to promote participation, function, and overall well-being. Through both her professional work as an occupational therapist and volunteer work in adaptive outdoor pursuits, Alissa has been consistently inspired by how ever-evolving assistive technology can break down barriers, enable independence, and empower clients to participate in meaningful activity.

Visit Alissa Roseman’s profile page on LinkedIn.

• Read More

This week, Nakia is going to look at some best practices and accessibility features for Android users with visual impairments. Most of the emphasis will be put on the built-in features, but we will also look at some supplementary features and apps. We will look exclusively at the accessibility features for Android. To learn more about the built-in accessibility features that have been designed for visually-impaired iPhone users, click here.

• Read More

Nikki Langdon, BPas(Kin), RRP, CVP 

Solutions Departmental Specialist / Regional Manager, Director of Consultation and Assessment

Nikki joined the Neil Squire Society in 2003 and holds a degree in Kinesiology, where she graduated with Great Distinction. She also holds the Certified Vocational Professional standing from College of Vocational Professionals and the Registered Rehabilitation Designation from VRA Canada. She heads up a technology and education program for SK with the Ministry of Education with the goal to build Assistive Technology capacity with students, parents, educators, and decision makers. Most notably, the focus is on helping students transition from school to post-secondary education/training or employment, as well as, the use of UDL:  Universal Design for Learning as it supports inclusive schools.

Visit Nikki Langdon’s profile page on LinkedIn.

• Read More

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.

Visit Charles Levasseur’s profile page on LinkedIn.

• Read More