This document provides an overview of Neil Squire Society's programs and partnerships in the Okanagan region, including: 1) Partnerships with organizations like Penticton Indian Band and Independent Living Vernon to provide assistive technology and computer training programs for people with disabilities. 2) The establishment of the Footprints to Technology building in 2006 to house disability and youth programs, as well as an Employ-Ability program starting in 2006 to help 90 people with disabilities increase their employment skills. 3) The hiring of Community Navigators to provide peer support for Aboriginal people with disabilities living on reserves and help connect them to community services.

1. Neil Squire Society &Neil Squire Society &
Okanagan PartnershipsOkanagan Partnerships

2. Purpose of PresentationPurpose of Presentation
• Provide a background programming and
partnerships in the Okanagan
• Describe the programs
• Speak to Osoyoos Programming

3. Number of People with DisabilitiesNumber of People with Disabilities
Aboriginals with Disability rate is ~ > 33%*
Number people with Disability:
• 1,082 - 1,650 Okanagan on Reserve
• 62,750 Aboriginals in BC
• 375,292 Aboriginals in Canada
• 4.4 million Canadians

4. BC UAIBC UAI
• British Columbia Universal Access Initiative
• 2004
• Work with CAP sites
• Work done with Penticton Indian Band (PIB) and
Independent Living Vernon (IL Vernon)
• Provided basic Assistive Technology to make
workstations more accessible
–Chair
–Height Adjustable Desk
–Trackball
–Different Keyboards

5. Adaptive TechnologyAdaptive Technology
Kensington®
Expert Mouse
Optical Trackball
SafeType
Keyboard
Kinesis Contoured
Keyboard

6. Cirque® Easy Cat
Touchpad
Roller Bar Mouse
Perfit
Mouse
Arm Rest

7. Footprints to Technology ProgramFootprints to Technology Program
• Penticton Indian Band one-on-one computer
tutoring program
• Assist the training of Aboriginals with basic
computer technology
• Neil Squire provided Penticton Indian Band with
–10 home computers
–Computer curriculum and resources

8. ATEC – Assistive Technology forATEC – Assistive Technology for
Employment CentreEmployment Centre
• IL Vernon
• Provided over $10,000
worth of Assistive
Technology
–New Computer Station
–6 different Keyboards
–6 different Mice
–Screen Readers, Voice
Recognition software
–Monitor & Monitor Arm

9. Footprints to Technology BuildingFootprints to Technology Building
• Beautiful & home like log building
• Opened in January 2006
• Program open to residents of the
Okanagan valley
• Disability center downstairs
• Youth center upstairs
Florence MacArthur, Project
Manager, PIB

10. Neil Squire Employ-Ability ProgramNeil Squire Employ-Ability Program
• Started Oct 2006
• A three year pilot project
• To reach 90 people with disabilities and increase
their employability

11. StaffStaff
Mindy
Chad
Terry
Amadeus

12. Advisory Committee to ProjectAdvisory Committee to Project
Volunteers assist the
project with
community input
and expertise at
monthly meetings
Volunteers; Michelle, James and Anne with staff (missing
from photo; Florence Gladys, Sam, Michel)

13. EmployAbility - ModulesEmployAbility - Modules
Modules of EmployAbility include:
•Assistive Technology & Ergonomics,
by distance consultation/on site
•Personal Health & Wellness, on site
•Career Development, on site &
distance
•Computer Technology by Distance
Learning
Additions and Adaptations to the
curriculum were made to include
Aboriginal cultural values.

14. Neil Squire Employ-Ability ProgramNeil Squire Employ-Ability Program
• Also began Employ-Ability program with IL
Vernon in 2006

15. Aboriginal Day / Open House,Aboriginal Day / Open House,
June 21,2006June 21,2006

16. Elders Computer Introduction ClassElders Computer Introduction Class

17. Footprints to Better LivingFootprints to Better Living
Conference, October 2006Conference, October 2006
• Over 40 people with disabilities, Seniors/Elders attended a
conference focusing on how Technology can improve your life
• Presentations by CNIB, Neil Squire Society, THEO BC, Chronic
Pain Self Management and on Preserving Culture by Andrew
McGinnis

18. International Day for People withInternational Day for People with
Disabilities, 2006Disabilities, 2006

19. Seniors on Seniors - SOSSeniors on Seniors - SOS
• National partnership with
Neil Squire Society and
Health Canada to promote
the use of health
technologies amongst
Elders and Seniors
• Peer mentoring program to
learn
–Cell phones,
–Blood pressure & Heart
Monitors
–Emergency response systems
–Answering machines/caller ID

20. All Class Reunion August 3/07All Class Reunion August 3/07

21. Our Graduates Thank YouOur Graduates Thank You

22. Our Graduates Thank YouOur Graduates Thank You

23. Our Graduates Thank YouOur Graduates Thank You

24. Our Graduates Thank YouOur Graduates Thank You

25. Community NavigatorsCommunity Navigators
• For Aboriginals with Disabilities on
Reserve
• Community Navigators - Recruit and
train Aboriginal Peers and Elders to
provide Peer Support
• Help link Aboriginals on Reserve with
community and Band services

26. Community Navigator OutreachCommunity Navigator Outreach

27. Community Navigator GoalsCommunity Navigator Goals
• Engage all bands in the Okanagan
Nation Alliance
• Ensure there are Community
Navigators in all communities
• Serve Aboriginals with Disabilities
throughout the Okanagan

28. Community NavigatorsCommunity Navigators
• Our first 5 Community
Navigators
• Our Community
Navigator Advisory
Committee

29. Thank you for your time and interest in our
work
Together developing partnerships
we can make a difference
by empowering people with disabilities