NEIL SQUIRE SOCIETY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF IMPACT FOR CANADIANS WITH DISABILITIES 

The Neil Squire Society, a Canadian national non-profit organization, and leader in assistive technology, celebrated their 40th anniversary last month with a community barbecue at their head office in Burnaby.

Over 300 past and present participants, staff, volunteers, partners, supporters, and friends came out for a free barbecue. Live music was provided by musician Digger Dan, and speakers included representatives from the City of Burnaby and Burnaby Board of Trade, as well as program participant and musician Roy Forbes, who led the crowd through a song.

RBC staff were on hand to present a $25,000 donation from the RBC Foundation to the Society’s Makers Making Change program.

Executive Director, Gary Birch; Manager of Research and Development, Harry Lew; and Occupational Therapist, Katrina Tilley, all of whom have been with the organization for 40 years were honored with awards.

The organization was founded in 1984 following the passing of their namesake, Neil Squire. In 1980, Neil Squire was 21 years old and a student at the University of Victoria when he was injured in a car accident. He was paralyzed from his neck down and could hardly speak. Neil’s cousin, Bill Cameron, together with a small group of volunteers, created a groundbreaking device to allow Neil to communicate better.

The device allowed Neil to use his breath to type Morse code which appeared as words on a computer screen. The technology was rudimentary at the time but it reconnected Neil to the world, allowing him to speak with family and friends once again. When Neil passed away, a non-profit organization was formed in his name with a vision that people with disabilities should have the opportunity to live, work and play without barriers.

What began in 1984 as three people in a small Vancouver office has now grown to almost 20 offices serving Canadians from coast to coast. Neil Squire has served over 87,000 Canadians with disabilities, focusing on innovation, digital literacy, and employment. They are a leader in assistive technology, and their programs help people with disabilities thrive in the workplace and beyond.

Do you have a disability? Neil Squire offers a variety of free participant-centered programs that can help you with employment, assistive technology, and computer skills development. To learn more, visit www.neilsquire.ca or call 1-877- 673-4636.