Neil Squire Society
Encyclopedia
Neil Squire Society is a Canadian national not-for-profit organization that empowers Canadians with physical disabilities through advocacy, computer-based assistive technology
, research and development, and various employment programs.
's efforts with his relative Neil Squire
. When Neil was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident in 1980, Bill created a “sip-and-puff
” machine to allow Neil to communicate using Morse Code
. Soon thereafter, Bill and a small group of volunteers began teaching other rehabilitation patients to use computers to enhance their independence. This marked the creation of the Neil Squire Society’s first program, Computer Comfort.
After Neil’s death in 1984, this group decided to name their new organization in his honour. The group was originally incorporated as the Neil Squire Rehabilitation Society, then the Neil Squire Foundation. The group went through one more name change and is now Neil Squire Society.
Headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia
, Canada
, Neil Squire Society now has offices in Moncton, Fredericton, Ottawa
, and Regina
.
to make them more employable. Once the client is working, they receive ongoing support and follow-up to ensure that they are comfortable in their work environment and confident in their new job or volunteer position. The Employ-Ability program is also available to Canadians with disabilities, regardless of geography or mobility, via the use of distance learning.
solutions for individuals and employers. Clients of this program begin with an assessment in one of the Neil Squire Society’s state of the art Assistive Technology for Employment Centre (ATEC) labs where they are matched with and trained on the assistive technology
that best suit their needs.
The Technology Accessibility Group has been responsible for many advancements in the field of accessibility. Because of these projects, over the last 25 years the TAG has built a strong international reputation for its work in creating technologies and solutions to enable persons with disabilities to achieve their potential.
Assistive technology
Assistive technology or adaptive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them...
, research and development, and various employment programs.
History
Neil Squire Society began as a result of Bill Cameron (Founder, Neil Squire Society)Bill Cameron (Founder, Neil Squire Society)
Bill Cameron, BFA, In. Dsn. was a prolific inventor, engineer and founder of the Neil Squire Society. Bill designed many devices to help people with disabilities including a Sip-and-puff communication system, and a robot arm called M.O.M...
's efforts with his relative Neil Squire
Neil Squire
Neil Squire was an accounting student at the University of Victoria and a basketball player. After a car accident left him a high level tetraplegic, Neil’s tireless efforts to learn a new form of communication became the inspiration for the creation of the Neil Squire Society.Born December 24,...
. When Neil was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident in 1980, Bill created a “sip-and-puff
Sip-and-puff
Sip-and-Puff or Sip 'n' Puff ' technology is a method used to send signals to a device using air pressure by "sipping" or "puffing" on a straw, tube or "wand." It is primarily used by people who do not have the use of their hands...
” machine to allow Neil to communicate using Morse Code
Morse code
Morse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment...
. Soon thereafter, Bill and a small group of volunteers began teaching other rehabilitation patients to use computers to enhance their independence. This marked the creation of the Neil Squire Society’s first program, Computer Comfort.
After Neil’s death in 1984, this group decided to name their new organization in his honour. The group was originally incorporated as the Neil Squire Rehabilitation Society, then the Neil Squire Foundation. The group went through one more name change and is now Neil Squire Society.
Headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Neil Squire Society now has offices in Moncton, Fredericton, Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, and Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
.
Computer Comfort
Running since 1981, this program actually predates the Neil Squire Society. It offers one-on-one computer tutoring at no cost in a supportive, client-centred environment, to adult clients who wish to develop basic computer skills. Clients who participate in the Computer Comfort program have the option of receiving a donated, completely refurbished computer for their home as well as ongoing technical support. The Computer Comfort program is also available to Canadians with disabilities, regardless of geography or mobility, via the use of distance learning.Employ-Ability
The aim of this free program is to prepare Canadians with physical disabilities for future employment, volunteer or training opportunities based on the clients individual goals and needs. In this 12-week program, clients meet in a classroom setting to learn a variety of employment related skills such as writing resumes and cover letters, enhancing their communication skills, and using assistive technologyAssistive technology
Assistive technology or adaptive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them...
to make them more employable. Once the client is working, they receive ongoing support and follow-up to ensure that they are comfortable in their work environment and confident in their new job or volunteer position. The Employ-Ability program is also available to Canadians with disabilities, regardless of geography or mobility, via the use of distance learning.
Job Focus
This free program offers one-on-one planning and employment services to help clients reach their employment or volunteer goals. The staff at the Job Focus program assist clients in creating a tailored employment plan that may include clarifying the clients employment goals, identifying their transferable skills, and assessing their needs in regards to employment. Once they are ready, Job Focus clients are referred to an Employment Specialist who works with them to secure a volunteer placement, part-time or full-time employment. As with the other programs, Job Focus clients receive ongoing support after they have found work.Neil Squire Solutions
A for-profit social enterprise, Neil Squire Society Solutions provides workplace ergonomic and assistive technologyAssistive technology
Assistive technology or adaptive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them...
solutions for individuals and employers. Clients of this program begin with an assessment in one of the Neil Squire Society’s state of the art Assistive Technology for Employment Centre (ATEC) labs where they are matched with and trained on the assistive technology
Assistive technology
Assistive technology or adaptive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them...
that best suit their needs.
Technology Accessibility Group
One of the major focuses of the Neil Squire Society is the development of technologies that enable persons with disabilities to be fully involved with society. The Technology Accessibility Group (TAG), the Research and Development arm of the Society, facilitates the development of these technologies.The Technology Accessibility Group has been responsible for many advancements in the field of accessibility. Because of these projects, over the last 25 years the TAG has built a strong international reputation for its work in creating technologies and solutions to enable persons with disabilities to achieve their potential.