CanAssist

University of Victoria

Together we CanAssist.

Milestones and awards

2009 Disability Fair

2010

  • In February, CanAssist moves to E-Hut, a building located near UVic's McKinnon Gym. It is the first time in several years that all CanAssist team members have worked under the same roof.

  • Under an agreement signed in July with WorkSafeBC, CanAssist will provide customized assistive technologies to improve the quality of life of select injured workers with special needs. These workers are associated with the Special Care Services Group of WorkSafeBC. CanAssist will also provide services and support to facilitate the return to work of select injured workers who are associated with the Vocational Rehabilitation Group.

2009

  • CanAssist Disability Resource Fair, where disability organizations from Victoria and Vancouver showcase their programs and services, was held in December.
  • The VOCYL youth program leads 20 presentations, bringing the message of inclusion and acceptance to about 500 students in the Greater Victoria area.
  • Senator Jim Munson tours CanAssist to learn about our many technologies and programs. Senator Munson, in dark suit, sees demos of CanAssist devices.
  • Secured first service contract with SET-BC for adapted video cameras and adapted iPods.
  • Two graduate students engaged in the CanAssist program successfully defend their theses
  • CanAssist receives a $272,000 grant from Western Economic Diversification Canada to purchase state-of-the-art prototyping and machine shop equipment (April)
  • The CanAssist team receives the Award for Societal Contribution during the 2009 Craigdarroch Research Awards (April)
  • The CanAssist team receives the CFAX TeamWork Award (May)
  • A small-scale pilot project is established to support eight teens with disabilities in finding meaningful paid part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. These teens receive job coaching support and assistance getting to and from work in some instances.
  • During the 2008-2009 fiscal year, CanAssist established 22 new partnerships and collaborations.
  • CanAssist celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Just for Kicks soccer program. Each year, from September through March, as many as 30 children with special needs take part in the weekly program at the McKinnon Gym at UVic, along with many dedicated volunteer soccer buddies.

2008

  • CanAssist receives a $3M grant from the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance and the Ministry of Advanced Education (for general operations)
  • CanAssist receives a $1M donation from the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation
  • CanAssist is awarded formal organizational status by UVic's Senate and Board of Governors
  • CanAssist initiates a supported employment program (We All Can Work), in part to complement our assistive technology services
  • We partner with Community Living Victoria to grow the Victoria Opportunities for Community Youth Leadership (VOCYL) program
  • We now employ ~ 25 (FTE) staff and students - and we are now the employer of the largest number of UVic Engineering Co-op students each year
  • Our first two computer accessibility software tools are posted on our website, making them freely available to the general community

2007

  • UVATT officially becomes CanAssist and unveils a new look and logo
  • UVATT/CanAssist engages its 2,000th student in the program
  • UVATT/CanAssist engages its 200th community volunteer in the program
  • UVATT/CanAssist develops its 100th unique assistive technology for the community
  • Dr. Livingston is appointed full time Director of CanAssist (new UVic position)
  • Four graduate students are now engaged and supported by CanAssist

2006

  • During the year, UVATT receives over 200 requests from the community for assistive technology support

2005

  • ~ 7 (FTE) staff and students are now employed by UVATT
  • Dr. Livingston is awarded the UVic Community Leadership Award
  • Dr. Livingston is named Academic of the Year by the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC
  • UVATT wins the Vancouver Island Advanced Technology Centre's Community Involvement Award
  • Dr. Livingston, on behalf of UVATT, receives the Lieutenant Governor's Technology and Innovation Award from the BC Innovation Council

2004

2003

  • During the year, UVATT receives ~ 75 requests from the community for assistive technology support
  • CanAssist engages and supports its first graduate student
  • UVATT technologies are put on display at our first Open House

2002

  • UVATT employs its first full time staff person

1999

  • Dr. Nigel Livingston, a faculty member in the Department of Biology, receives his first request for an assistive technology project
  • Due to increasing requests for assistive technology projects, the University of Victoria Assistive Technology Team (UVATT), which makes use of the energy and creativity of numerous (volunteer) UVic faculty, staff and students, along with many community volunteers, is founded

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