Milestones and awards
2011
- CanAssist is excited to have a client referred by the Department of National Defence. The client is an individual living in Nanaimo, B.C., for whom CanAssist is developing multiple mechanical and software engineering projects. Discussions are taking place to expand CanAssist's client base with DND and Veterans Affairs Canada.
B.C. Premier Christy Clark announced $3
million that will support an innovative partnership between CanAssist, Tyze Personal Networks and the PLAN Institute for
Caring Citizenship. These partners will create Connect for Care, new online tools that will help connect clients
with their families, caregivers and health care providers. An additional $500,000 was also announced by the Premier which
will support CanFITT, a
partnership between CanAssist and the Vancouver Island Health Authority to
prototype the use of customized technologies to improve the quality of life for
clients with special needs.
- CanAssist signed its first agreement with an
overseas organization. Social Development Centre (SUS) in Denmark has signed a letter of intent with CanAssist to explore
opportunities to collaborate on the development and distribution of assistive
technologies that will benefit people with disabilities.
- CanAssist secured agreements
that will make two
of its technologies available for
sale to customers around the world.
Licensing
agreements
were
reached
with AbleNet Inc. to sell CanAssist's very popular
Adapted iPod
System and iPad Adapter System (the latter is forthcoming).
These
devices
enable people with a wide range of disabilities to control Apple's popular iPod
music player and iPad
by pressing a single switch.
- CanAssist, with help from several community
partners, hosted a highly successful two-day forum that brought together
families, educators, and health and social service providers to plan supports
for children with special needs. About 100 people attended the Building Bridges Forum, which featured
24 workshops and a presentation by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.'s
Representative for Children and Youth.
- CanAssist joined forces with the Vancouver Resource Society in February to hold a very special event to raise money and awareness for people with disabilities. Called Hearts for Hearts, the sold-out evening included entertainment by Grammy Award winner Michael Bolton, a sumptuous gourmet dinner, a raffle and an exciting live auction. The Great Canadian Gaming Corporation very generously provided the evening's entertainment at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, B.C.
2010
- Community Living British Columbia is providing
CanAssist with $75,000 to conduct a feasibility study to determine the
accessibility of various social media platforms for adults with developmental
disabilities. The study will also consider industry trends, privacy and
security issues, as well as offer recommendations on ways to increase
accessibility.
VOCYL (Victoria Opportunities for Community Youth
Leadership) received two awards this year. One was a Youth Now Award from the United Way Youth Advisory Council, and the
other a WOW! award from Community
Living British Columbia. VOCYL is a youth leadership program
supported by CanAssist and Community Living Victoria.
- In February, CanAssist moved 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.
- 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
- The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance and the Ministry of Children and Family Development grant UVATT $750,000 (for general operations)
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
- We receive our first major donation (Great Canadian Gaming Corporation)
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
- The Just for Kicks soccer program is launched
- 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