Secondary School Teachers from the Sudbury Catholic Board were given the opportunity to take part in the last of four training sessions run by Cambrian College’s Glenn Crombie Centre for disability services. Cambrian College announced the pilot project in April of last year with a grant of $149,000 from the Federal Government. The aim of the Adaptive Technologies Access Project is to increase the success of transitional activities for students in secondary schools who have disabilities into post secondary or employment activities. The project utilizes advanced technologies in assistive technology, Internet and Broadband Wireless.



Several area secondary schools and their teachers are participating in this pilot project. The adaptive work stations and technology training provided will assist teachers in preparing disabled youth for entry into post secondary education or workplace environments. The project is developed around youth with disabilities, their families, peers and teachers. The realization of the outcomes will raise awareness of the value of these new learning technologies, locally, provincially and globally. Through partnerships with school boards and service providers, the effectiveness of this project can be duplicated anywhere there are schools and learners. It is estimated that several hundred students with learning disabilities will benefit from the interventions of this pilot project providing them with employment and educational opportunities. The project itself will promote life-long learning and continual access to the information required for the quality of life. By establishing sites at several secondary schools, youth in the school community can decrease isolation and improve access to the Internet through specialized devices, training and support throughout the two-year pilot project.

Partners in this project include Cambrian College; the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation through the Ontario Trillium Foundation; Human Resources Development Canada through the Office of Learning Technologies; The Easter Seal Society; and Absolute Abilities as well as the local English Language School Boards.