Neil Squire and SMART Technologies Team Up on Accessibility
Written by Brent Stempfle
Gordon Watt and Jody Dickerson have built their careers on making technology work for people with disabilities. As Neil Squire’s Distance Training Coordinator, Gordon provides technology training and support to people across Canada through the Distance Computer Comfort program. Jody, an Assistive Technology Specialist and Trainer, helps individuals find and master the tools that support their goals, tailoring each system to the person. Both also carry out technology evaluations, testing accessibility features and working to improve independence. When SMART Technologies approached Neil Squire to evaluate the accessibility of their SMART Boards, it was a natural fit. Evaluating technology and identifying accessibility barriers is a significant part of the Society’s work. Gordon and Jody’s experience working with the users of these assistive technologies meant they could offer practical feedback grounded in real-world, disability-related needs.
Legere Reader
There are lots of great reading apps on the market that are designed to offer alternative approaches to accessing digital text. In fact, the app that we are looking at today is essentially the Android version of one of our favourites, Voice Dream Reader.
Legere Reader is a reading app designed to support people who face barriers when accessing digital text. Built with accessibility at its core, Legere helps users read, listen to, and interact with documents in ways that match their individual needs. It is a great option for individuals with visual impairments, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, brain injuries, or anyone who benefits from customizable reading tools.
Capilano University Rehabilitation Assistant Program Students Visit Our Solutions Lab
Today, our Solutions team is hosting students from Capilano University‘s Rehabilitation Assistant Program for a visit to our Burnaby Head Office and Solutions Lab.
Jora Singh’s Assistive Technology App Design Earns Top Accolades at National Science Fair
During the COVID pandemic, Jora Singh found himself spending many more hours on the computer — his classes initially moved online, he had started to teach himself how to code. After a while, he noticed he was having wrist pain and back pain from the long hours at the keyboard. He started thinking of solutions.
“I have a huge passion for science, and I’ve been doing science fair projects since I was in grade four,” says Jora Singh, who recently finished grade nine.
This led to him developing a hands-free app for using your computer, DeviceABLE. Developed over the last year using his self-taught coding skills, DeviceABLE allows you to use head and facial movements to move your cursor, as well as use an onscreen keyboard. There’s also a voice feature for people who can’t use as much neck or head movement.
40 Years of Impact: Come Celebrate With Us This June
We are thrilled to announce that our organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary this coming June.
Four decades of technology, knowledge, and passion. From humble beginnings to impactful programs, we’ve come a long way, thanks to your unwavering support.
Please join us in commemorating this milestone throughout the month of June by celebrating with us at one of our free regional events across Canada taking place in Burnaby, Regina, Ottawa, Fredericton, and Calgary. Details are below for each event.
Neil Squire Named Burnaby Not-For-Profit Organization of the Year
What an honour!
We are humbled to be named the Burnaby Board of Trade‘s and City of Burnaby‘s Not-For-Profit Organization of the Year at the Burnaby Business Excellence Awards Gala on November 16th. We thank our participants, volunteers, staff, supporters, and of course, the community of Burnaby!
South Korea National Research Project Researchers Visit Neil Squire
As part of the National Research Project on Assistive Technology Support & Service in South Korea, researchers visited our Burnaby office today to learn about our programs best practices. We provided a tour of our office and overviews of Solutions and Makers Making Change and we were happy to share our expertise in the area of assistive technology.
MLA Brenda Bailey Visits Neil Squire
We were thrilled to welcome MLA, Brenda Bailey, Parliamentary Secretary for Technology and Innovation, to our head office yesterday in Burnaby. Ms. Bailey received a hearing evaluation in our fully accessible Hearing Solutions lab, demoed some assistive technology in our Solutions lab, and visited our Makers Making Change lab to learn about affordable open source assistive technologies.
CAOT-BC Interview with Katrina Tilley
Occupational Therapist Katrina Tilley was named the 2020 recipient of CAOT-BC’s Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year.
The CAOT-BC interviewed Katrina about her career in occupational therapy. Read the article: cOnnecT with Katrina Tilley.
