Penticton Indian BandPenticton Indian Band& National Office of Learning & National Office of Learning TechnologiesTechnologies

Footprints to Technology - Employ-Ability Project

Purpose of PresentationPurpose of Presentation

• Provide a brief background of the program

• Explain how the partnership developed

• Describe the Footprints to Technology program

• Outline what the program achieved

How we started working togetherHow we started working together

CAP – Community Access Program

• Penticton Indian Band and Neil Squire Society started working together in

identifying basic assistive technology

Footprints to Technology

• Neil Squire provided Penticton Indian Band 10 home computers, curriculum,

and resources to assist the training of Aboriginals with basic computer

technology

OLT/NOLL – National Office of Literacy & Learning

• Partnering in a three year pilot project to help increase the employability of

people with disabilities in the Okanagan area

• Introduction to technology for Elders and Seniors (SOS)

Footprints to Technology ProgramFootprints to Technology Program

• Beautiful & home like log

building

• Opened in January 2006

• Program open to residents

of the Okanagan valley

• Referrals accepted from

individual or agencies

Florence MacArthur, Project Manager, PIB

The Neil Squire Employ-Ability ProgramThe Neil Squire Employ-Ability Program

• A three year pilot project

Objectives:

• To reach 90 people with

disabilities

• To increase their

employability

• To identify and eliminate

barriers

StaffStaff

Mindy

Chad

Terry

Amadeus

Advisory Committee to ProjectAdvisory Committee to Project

Volunteers assist the project

with community input and

expertise at monthly

meetings

Volunteers; Michelle, James and Anne with staff (missing from photo; Florence Gladys, Sam, Michel)

We use technology, knowledge, and passion to empower people with physical

disabilities.

Neil Squire Employ-Ability ProgramNeil Squire Employ-Ability Program

EmployAbility - Modules EmployAbility - Modules

Modules of EmployAbility include:

• Assistive Technology & Ergonomics,

by distance consultation/on site

• Personal Health & Wellness, on site

• Career Development, on site

• Computer Technology by Distance

Learning

Adaptive TechnologyAdaptive Technology

Kensington®

Expert MouseOptical Trackball

SafeTypeKeyboard

Kinesis Contoured Keyboard

Cirque® Easy CatTouchpad

Roller Bar Mouse

PerfitMouse

Personal Health and WellnessPersonal Health and Wellness

• Intro to Personal Wellness• Living with a Disability• Fatigue and Energy

Management• Pain Management• Nutrition• Physical Fitness & Leisure • The Gift of Self-Esteem

• Communication Skills• Assertiveness• Healthy Sleep• Time Management• Stress Management• Anger Management• Problem Solving• Conflict Resolution

The Gift of Self of Esteem series has contributed to this module reflecting

Aboriginal cultural values.

Career DevelopmentCareer Development

• Intro to Career Development• Decision Making• Goal Setting• Telephone Skills• Transferable Skills• Type Focus• Labour Market• Informational Interviewing• National Occupation

Classification

• Educational Research• Self Employment• Cover Letters• Resume • Electronic Resumes • Job Search• Interviews• Job Shadow• Action Plan

Every participant will complete the program with a cover letter, resume,

and action plan.

Computer TechnologyComputer Technology

• Computer Basics• Windows• File Management• Hardware• Email • Internet• Digital Media• Word• Excel• PowerPoint• Online Marketplace • Online Computer Training

Utilizing computer technology, many aspects of Employ-Ability will be available online

Growing # of Partners Growing # of Partners

SaskatoonSaskatoon

SecheltSechelt

MiramichiMiramichi VernonVernon

Nelson

From student’sFrom student’s homehome

PentictonPenticton

BurnabyBurnaby

Aboriginal Day / Open House, Aboriginal Day / Open House, June 21,2006June 21,2006

Elders Computer Introduction ClassElders Computer Introduction Class

Footprints to Better Living Conference, Footprints to Better Living Conference, October 2006October 2006

• Over 40 people with disabilities, Seniors/Elders attended a

conference focusing on how Technology can improve your life

• Presentations by CNIB, Neil Squire Society, THEO BC, Chronic Pain

Self Management and on Preserving Culture by Andrew McGinnis

International Day for People with International Day for People with Disabilities, 2006Disabilities, 2006

Seniors on Seniors - SOSSeniors on Seniors - SOS

• National partnership with Neil

Squire Society and Health

Canada to promote the use of

health technologies amongst

Elders and Seniors

• Peer mentoring program to

learn; cell phones, blood

pressure/ heart monitors,

emergency response

systems, answering

machines/caller ID

The StatsThe Stats

Project Targets &LearnersProject target for three years is 90 learners

Total number of learners served to date

Aboriginal on reserve 69

Aboriginal off-reserve 10

Immigrants 1

Métis 7

Disadvantaged workers 9

Unemployed persons 106

Persons with disabilities 90

Seniors 82

Women 119

Other, specify (not Aboriginal off reserve) 37

Total learnersSome learners are counted in more than one

category November, 2008

163

All Class Reunion August 3/07All Class Reunion August 3/07

New for 2008..Support program New for 2008..Support program

• Training for people who have disabilities

• To become a support person for others who have disabilities

Learn how:

–To support others

–To be a better communicator

–Gain self esteem

–To find services and benefits for yourself and others

–Learn about your personal gifts

–Gain new skills and add to your resume!

• 19 days over 3 months training completed Dec. 08

• Mileage and childcare paid for while in the training

Our Graduates Thank YouOur Graduates Thank You

Our Graduates Thank YouOur Graduates Thank You

Our Graduates Thank YouOur Graduates Thank You

Thank you for your time and interest in our work

Together developing partnerships

we can make a difference

by empowering people with disabilities