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Neil Squire Society

@neilsquiresociety.bsky.social

We use technology, knowledge and passion to empower Canadians with #disabilities. Our programs include: @makersmakingchange.bsky.social. #DigitalLiteracy #Employment #AssistiveTechnology #Innovation

124 Followers  |  170 Following  |  331 Posts  |  Joined: 28.11.2024  |  1.853

Latest posts by neilsquiresociety.bsky.social on Bluesky

An image of volunteers at a build event adapting toys. Text: Thank you Bourassa Savaria Foundation!

An image of volunteers at a build event adapting toys. Text: Thank you Bourassa Savaria Foundation!

We want to give a huge shoutout to one of our major sponsors for this yearโ€™s Hacking for the Holidays campaign, the Bourassa Savaria Foundation. Weโ€™re incredibly grateful for their donation of $10,000 and their continued support of making play accessible for children with disabilities. Thank you!

13.11.2025 18:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

โ€œI canโ€™t express my gratitude enough for the support that this program has provided me. My case worker was amazing, I am just so very thankful for the kindness, compassion and support I was shown throughout the process.โ€ #WorkBCATS

13.11.2025 00:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A woman wearing headphones writes on a notepad while watching something on her laptop.

A woman wearing headphones writes on a notepad while watching something on her laptop.

Our AT Help Desk team looks at Trinka, an AI-powered grammar checker and language correction tool specifically designed for academic, technical, and formal writing.

Read: buff.ly/R8fqZ8I

#NeilSquire #ATHelpDesk #AssistiveTechnology #Apps #DigitalLiteracy

12.11.2025 17:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
An image of poppies, with the text, "Lest we forget."

An image of poppies, with the text, "Lest we forget."

Lest we forget. #CanadaRemembers

11.11.2025 16:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Images of switch-adapted toys and logos for Go Eng Girl and Worlds UNBound. Text says, "Toy adapting workshop with Worlds UNBound, Go Eng Girl"

Images of switch-adapted toys and logos for Go Eng Girl and Worlds UNBound. Text says, "Toy adapting workshop with Worlds UNBound, Go Eng Girl"

Are you in Fredericton or Saint John, New Brunswick and want to adapt toys with Worlds UNBound's Go ENG Girl for our Hacking for the Holidays campaign? Sign up today!

Saint John: November 15 www.worldsunbound.ca/go-eng-girl-1

Fredericton: November 29 www.worldsunbound.ca/go-eng-girl

10.11.2025 23:32 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
In October, our Prairie Regional Office donated Solutions for School assistive technology kits to six schools in Yellowknife Education District #1. Each kit contains upwards of $1,200 worth of assistive technology, allowing students to access and trial a wide variety of low- and high-tech solutions.
 
As part of our Solutions for Schools initiative, our Prairie office fundraises to purchase assistive technology kits for schools. In addition to delivering the kits, with both English and French kits, our Solutions team also provided training to teachers and learning support staff at the schools.

In October, our Prairie Regional Office donated Solutions for School assistive technology kits to six schools in Yellowknife Education District #1. Each kit contains upwards of $1,200 worth of assistive technology, allowing students to access and trial a wide variety of low- and high-tech solutions. As part of our Solutions for Schools initiative, our Prairie office fundraises to purchase assistive technology kits for schools. In addition to delivering the kits, with both English and French kits, our Solutions team also provided training to teachers and learning support staff at the schools.

The Solutions for School kits on their way to being delivered.

The Solutions for School kits on their way to being delivered.

In October, our Prairie Regional Office donated Solutions for School assistive technology kits to six schools in Yellowknife Education District #1.

Read more: buff.ly/S0zfFqY

10.11.2025 19:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Sandra, Anmol, Radu, and Patty in front of a banner for the Western Canada Career Development Association.

Sandra, Anmol, Radu, and Patty in front of a banner for the Western Canada Career Development Association.

On Friday, our Burnaby Creative Employment Options team attended the Western Canada Career Development Association (WCCDA) members gathering at the Vancouver Community College Downtown Campus.

Pictured left to right: Sandra Grib, Anmol Vig, Radu Girboan, and Patty Lavakittichaiyant.

10.11.2025 17:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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One of my favourite classes today! We had the Neil Squire Society visiting and adapted toys for kids with disabilities so that they can be used with adaptive switches. These toys go to the IWK Halifax and other places and then get distributed to kids with disabilities just in time for Christmas โค๏ธ

04.11.2025 22:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 12    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Curious about what toys are available for our #HackingForTheHolidays campaign? Shanelle gives us a sneak peek of the Peek A Boo Koala. To request a toy in Canada, check out our Hacking For The Holidays page of our website. Requests will close November 30th, 2025.

Request: buff.ly/YEyMXcw

07.11.2025 22:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Six students attended the session, along with several staff members who were interested in learning how to better connect their participants to available programs and resources. [3/3]

07.11.2025 17:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

During the session, students had the chance to explore a variety of academic programs, ask questions, and learn about the support services available for individuals with disabilities or facing barriers. [2/3]

07.11.2025 17:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Neil Squire staff presenting to classroom full of people.

Neil Squire staff presenting to classroom full of people.

Yesterday, our Prairie Office coordinated a visit with a Student Recruitment Advisor and an Accommodations Consultant from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. [1/3]

07.11.2025 17:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Pictured left to right: Lukas Huhn with GVFB, Director of Makers Making Change Justin Pezzin, Case Manager Anmol Vig, Ashlyn Koebel with GVFB, Employer Outreach Developer Nate Toevs, and Creative Employment Options National Program Manager Patty Lavakittichaiyant.

Pictured left to right: Lukas Huhn with GVFB, Director of Makers Making Change Justin Pezzin, Case Manager Anmol Vig, Ashlyn Koebel with GVFB, Employer Outreach Developer Nate Toevs, and Creative Employment Options National Program Manager Patty Lavakittichaiyant.

On Tuesday, members of our Burnaby team had a great time touring the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB)'s new permanent facility in Vancouver.

07.11.2025 00:11 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Gretna Green students test their switches.

Gretna Green students test their switches.

A teacher and a student work on a switch.

A teacher and a student work on a switch.

A student works on a switch.

A student works on a switch.

When students at Gretna Green School learned they would be building switches for kids with disabilities for our Hacking for the Holidays campaign, they felt inspired to take it one step further, taking the initiative to raise over $500 for our campaign.

Read more: buff.ly/zIz9nnd

06.11.2025 21:16 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Tammy sitting at her desk in the new office.

Tammy sitting at her desk in the new office.

Our Halifax employment services office has moved! We're now at 22 Fielding Ave in Dartmouth. (Our @makersmakingchange.bsky.social program remains at 5475 Spring Garden Road in Halifax).

Here's Job Developer Tammy Hiltz at the new office!

#NeilSquire #CreativeEmploymentOptions #Employment #Halifax

06.11.2025 18:40 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Coralee credits #WorkBCATS staff with being โ€œvery kind, patient, and willing to helpโ€ throughout the process, and says that she has already recommended the program to others.

โ€œJust a big thank you to all involved for [the] support and making a difference in peoples lives, mine for one.โ€

05.11.2025 21:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A performer dressed as Snow White. The event info text says that the event will take place at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan on March 14, 2026 from 2 pm to 4 pm.

A performer dressed as Snow White. The event info text says that the event will take place at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan on March 14, 2026 from 2 pm to 4 pm.

REGINA: Swing into Spring with us on March 14th, 2026, at our sixth annual Princess Ball fundraising event! Spend an afternoon with your favourite storybook Princes and Princesses and support people with disabilities in Regina.

Get your tickets: buff.ly/Xq3GLfw

05.11.2025 17:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
An image of volunteers at a build event making switches. Text: Thank you Canada Life!

An image of volunteers at a build event making switches. Text: Thank you Canada Life!

We want to give a huge shoutout to one of our major sponsors for this yearโ€™s Hacking for the Holidays campaign, Canada Life. Canada Life has donated $10,000 for Hacking for the Holidays, and have been a longtime supporter of our work at Neil Squire. Thank you!

04.11.2025 21:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Bev at the Neil Squire table.

Bev at the Neil Squire table.

Last Wednesday, Atlantic Regional Director Bev Grasse attended โ€œUnlocking Potential: How Inclusive Hiring Builds Stronger Businesses and Communitiesโ€ for Disability Employment Awareness Month.

#NeilSquire #CreativeEmploymentOptions #Empower3D #Employment #Disability

04.11.2025 19:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
"We Have Solutions" logo, with an image of a broadcast microphone, noting that it is an AT Help Desk podcast.

"We Have Solutions" logo, with an image of a broadcast microphone, noting that it is an AT Help Desk podcast.

#TechTuesday: In a video episode of our AT Help Desk teamโ€™s podcast, โ€œWe Have Solutions,โ€ our team tests a variety of chatbots ability to generate homework and study material. We used Gemini, Co-Pilot, Claude & ChatGPT to test a variety of spelling and math homework prompts.

Watch: buff.ly/MozfO9t

04.11.2025 17:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Tyler in his office.

Tyler in his office.

Our Accessible Gaming Lead Tyler Fentie was recently on the Over Coffee podcast to talk about the GAME Kit and more.

Listen: twomaverix.com?p=33408

03.11.2025 21:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Mercy at a Neil Squire booth with posters on display for our Creative Employment Options program.

Mercy at a Neil Squire booth with posters on display for our Creative Employment Options program.

Last Wednesday, Mercy Beilem, Job Developer and Career Facilitator at our Yellowknife office, attended our community partner CDร‰TNO's Employment Cafรฉ, which saw nearly 100 participants gathered to meet with 25 companies and organizations offering job opportunities.

#CreativeEmploymentOptions

03.11.2025 17:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
An image of an Indigenous woman, Text: "November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month."

An image of an Indigenous woman, Text: "November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month."

Neil Squire Society would like to join countless provinces, organizations, and communities across Canada and internationally in declaring the month of November as Indigenous Disability Awareness Month.

Read more: buff.ly/LXK39nZ

01.11.2025 17:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Neil Squire Regina staff dressed up, including as Buffy, Lizzy Maguire, Luigi, Cher, Steven Seagal, and Waylon Jennings.

Neil Squire Regina staff dressed up, including as Buffy, Lizzy Maguire, Luigi, Cher, Steven Seagal, and Waylon Jennings.

The Burnaby Creative Employment Options team dressed up.

The Burnaby Creative Employment Options team dressed up.

Fredericton office, all apparently dressed as witches, riding their brooms.

Fredericton office, all apparently dressed as witches, riding their brooms.

Fredericton office staff dressed up.

Fredericton office staff dressed up.

Happy Halloween from all of us at Neil Squire!

31.10.2025 21:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Mercy and Nikki in front of a sign for the NWT Career Centre.

Mercy and Nikki in front of a sign for the NWT Career Centre.

Mercy, Nikki, Chelsea, and Amanda at a diner.

Mercy, Nikki, Chelsea, and Amanda at a diner.

Nikki presenting to stakeholders.

Nikki presenting to stakeholders.

Nikki engaging in a discussion with stakeholders.

Nikki engaging in a discussion with stakeholders.

Last week, members of our Prairie Region Team from Regina and Yellowknife attended a Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) stakeholders meeting in Yellowknife with our community partners including MentorAbility NWT, Inclusion NWT, and CDร‰TNO.

Read more: buff.ly/7tXNo7y

#DEAM #DEAM2025

31.10.2025 16:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Neil Squire team at the VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Neil Squire team at the VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Neil Squire Executive Director Gary Birch talks at the BC SCI Network Gathering

Neil Squire Executive Director Gary Birch talks at the BC SCI Network Gathering

A shot of the crowd at the BC SCI Network Gathering.

A shot of the crowd at the BC SCI Network Gathering.

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On Friday, October 17th, our BC team attended the 11th annual BC Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Network Gathering at the VanDusen Botanical Garden, connecting with our friends and partners in the BC SCI Network. It's always a great opportunity to connect, learn, and share ideas.

Read: buff.ly/WX7olpj

30.10.2025 23:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Do you have a disability and are you between the ages of 15 and 30? Are you having a hard time starting your career? Weโ€™ll help you find employment that works for you.

Learn more about our Empower3D program: www.neilsquire.ca/empower3d/

30.10.2025 16:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Instructors at Douglas College show Neil Squire staff and participants around in the workshop.

Instructors at Douglas College show Neil Squire staff and participants around in the workshop.

Yesterday, members of our Burnaby Empower3D and Creative Employment Options teams, along with an Empower3D youth participant, toured Douglas College's Fabrication Lab.

#NeilSquire #CreativeEmploymentOptions #Empower3D #Disability #Employment #Youth #Manufacturing #DEAM #DEAM2025

29.10.2025 21:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Almoneda recommends WorkBC Assistive Technology Services to others, saying, โ€œIt helped a lot. The people in this program are very accommodating, friendly, and helpful.โ€ #WorkBCATS

29.10.2025 20:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Images of children with disabilities playing with adapted toys. Logos for Makers Making Change and Neil Squire. Text: 518 devices built, 1,360 participants, 48 events hosted.

Images of children with disabilities playing with adapted toys. Logos for Makers Making Change and Neil Squire. Text: 518 devices built, 1,360 participants, 48 events hosted.

We are one month into our Hacking for the Holidays campaign, and we're blown away by the impact so far.

Thank you to everyone whoโ€™s helped make this season of giving a success! Letโ€™s keep the momentum going!

Make a difference and donate today: buff.ly/894V10U

#HackingForTheHolidays

28.10.2025 23:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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