English Version — la version française suit

A successful collaboration between Place aux compétences, École Anna-Malenfant, and Neil Squire‘s Makers Making Change and Solutions programs resulted in the creation of a simple yet effective 3D-printed adaptation for a Neil Squire client preparing to return to work with pain and limited left arm mobility.

When Atlantic Region Solutions Occupational Therapist, Lianne Boudreau, needed a custom solution for an angled wrist support, she reached out to our Makers Making Change program. Makers Making Change worked with our community partners, Place aux compétences, and through their student entrepreneur program coordinated by Mario Levesque, they were eager to help.

The barrier was presented to a fifth-grade class at École Anna-Malenfant in Dieppe, New Brunswick, who were excited to take on the challenge of designing and 3D printing the adaptive piece needed. To add an extra touch of creativity and care, a third-grade class at École Anna-Malenfant wrapped and decorated the finished pieces to ensure the most heartwarming unwrapping experience possible.

With her new 3D-printed support, as well as a handheld assistive device with programmable buttons and an adjustable forearm support, the client can now begin gradually returning to work with the appropriate accommodations.

This collaboration demonstrates how innovation, education, and community partnership can come together to promote accessibility, inclusion, and independence in the workplace.

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Neil Squire Solutions, Fabricants pour le changement, Place aux compétences et l’École Anna-Malenfant collaborent pour développer une technologie d’assistance personnalisée pour un client

Version française  — the English version precedes

Une collaboration efficace entre Place aux compétences, l’École Anna-Malenfant et nos programmes Fabricants pour le changement et Solutions a permis la création d’une adaptation imprimée en 3D, simple mais efficace, pour un client de Neil Squire qui se préparait à retourner au travail malgré la douleur et une mobilité réduite du bras gauche.

Lorsque Lianne Boudreau, ergothérapeute chez Solutions pour la région de l’Atlantique, a eu besoin d’une solution sur mesure pour un support de poignet incliné, elle a fait appel à notre programme Fabricants pour le changement. Fabricants pour le changement a collaboré avec nos partenaires communautaires, Place aux compétences et par un programme d’entrepreneuriat étudiant coordonné par Mario Lévesque, s’est montré très enthousiaste à l’idée d’apporter son aide.

La barrière a été présentée à une classe de 5ième année de l’école Anna-Malenfant de Dieppe, au Nouveau-Brunswick. Les élèves étaient ravis de relever le défi de développer et d’imprimer en 3D la pièce adaptée nécessaire. Pour ajouter une touche de créativité et d’attention, une classe de 3ième année de la même école a emballé et décoré les pièces finies, afin de rendre le déballage des plus excitant.

Grâce à sa nouvelle support imprimé en 3D, ainsi qu’à un appareil portable avec des boutons programmables et d’un support d’avant-bras ajustable, la cliente peut maintenant reprendre progressivement ses activités professionnelles avec les adaptations nécessaires.

Cette collaboration démontre comment l’innovation, l’éducation et le partenariat communautaire peuvent s’unir pour soutenir l’accessibilité, l’inclusion et l’autonomie au travail.

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Assistive Technology Specialist, Erin LeBlanc, recently appeared on HumanWare‘s podcast, “See Things Differently,” as part of their partner spotlight featuring our organization.

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We were delighted recently when Margot, a former Neil Squire participant, generously donated her CCD Voyager e-reader.

Margot no longer used the device due to a significant decline in her vision, but hoping it could find a second life and benefit someone with similar needs, she donated it to Neil Squire.

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Neil Squire Regional Manager Charles Levasseur was interviewed by CBC New Brunswick for their feature on how artificial intelligence (AI) can help level the playing field for workers with disabilities.

The CBC notes, “More than 35 per cent of New Brunswickers have a disability, according to Statistics Canada, and only 46 per cent of them are employed. But a greater understanding and acceptance of new technology in the workplace could close that gap.”

Charles discussed his hope for digital literacy around artificial technology to increase, and for new assistive technology solutions that remove barriers for people with disabilities to be embraced by employers.

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Neil Squire has created a new funding opportunity for persons with disabilities in the Fredericton area.

The Neil Squire AT Fund was created to help support youth from grades one through twelve in acquiring new or refurbished assistive technology. Students from all types of school environments are encouraged to apply. This includes public, private, and home schools.

This fund will support households with a $75,000 or less annual household income and will be limited to a maximum of $1,000 in funding for each household.

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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.

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Imagine that you have a technical problem or a computer question at work, you might call your company’s IT help desk. But what if you have a disability and you have a question about assistive technology? Maybe you need to find a device that will help you with your needs, or maybe your assistive technology isn’t working right and you need help. That’s where Neil Squire’s AT Help Desk comes in.

In 2024, the AT Help Desk celebrates 10 years of serving New Brunswickers with disabilities. Whether you’re working, studying, simply need an assistive technology that makes your life a little easier, or are calling on behalf of a client, student, or family member, anyone can reach out. And all services are available in English and French.

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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.

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