This presentation was given December 2nd, 2013, to a meeting of CUPE Disability Committee at their office in Burnaby. It covers the services of the Neil Squire Society, with a focus on our Research and Development Department and their current financial services research survey. The survey can be completed at http://www.neilsquire.ca/survey/en/survey.php

1. CUPE Presentation – December 2nd, 2013

2. Why Does Accessibility Matter:
14.3% of Canadians have a disability
[Statistics Canada. Participation and Activity Limitation Survey 2006]
Type of Disability
Mobility and Agility
Number of
Canadians Affected
2,286,000
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
506,000
Blind/Visually Impaired
326,000
Cognitive
503,000
Total
3,600,000

3. Who is the Neil Squire Society?
• Canadian not-for-profit
• Community-based
organization
• Establish 29 years ago
• Served more than 29,000
people to date

4. Neil Squire Society Programming
• Assistive Technology
• Computer Tutoring
• Computer Refurbishing
• Employment
• Wage Subsidy

5. Assistive Technology
• Provide assessments and
training focused on the
individual
• Occupational Therapists &
Assistive Technology
Specialists
• Over 250 pieces of
hardware & software

6. Computer Comfort
• One-on-one Computer
Tutoring with a
volunteer
• Once a week for two
hours, for 4 months
• Client sets the
learning goals

7. Computer Refurbishing
• Provide used computers
to people with
disabilities
• Reloaded with Microsoft
Windows 7 and Office
2007
• Follow-up tech
assistance

8. E-A – Employ-Ability
• 12 week program to
develop a career action
plan
• A focus on:
– Career Development
– Wellness for Work

9. Working Together
• Wage Subsidy Program
for employers
• Subsidize wages for a
minimum of six months
• 100% negotiable
• Employer gets paid in
advance

10. Research and Development Division
• Only community based organization with in-house
research and development
• Focused on creating independence through technology
• Actively works with organization to develop accessibility
strategies

11. Neil Squire R&D Services
• Accessibility audits
• Accessibility design consulting
• Focus Groups and User Trials
• Developing Organization Specific Accessibility
Road Map

12. Financial Services Survey Background
• Federal Government plans to eliminate cheques by 2020
• Provincial pilot projects and feasibility studies to replace
welfare cheques with debit cards
• Similar initiatives available in the US
• More technology being deployed to reduce costs

13. Financial Services Survey Focus
• Gain a greater understanding of the way people
with disabilities handle their everyday banking and
payment needs.
• Review electronic payment services for people with
disabilities.
• Look at the issues the technology might create for
people with disabilities.
• Ensure easy access to these services.

14. Access the survey
Information on the Survey
•http://www.neilsquire.ca/financial-transaction-survey/
Direct access to Survey
•http://www.neilsquire.ca/survey/en/survey.php

15. Contact Information
Harry Lew
Chad Leaman
harryl@neilsquire.ca
chadl@neilsquire.ca
604-473-9363