A summary of some of our work with the Penticton Indian Band from 2006 - 2010, serving Aboriginals and other community members with disabilities. Doesn't include our more recent online computer tutoring, wage subsidy, and other labour market programming.

1. Neil Squire Society &Neil Squire Society &
Penticton Indian BandPenticton Indian Band

2. Penticton Indian BandPenticton Indian Band

3. Neil Squire SocietyNeil Squire Society

4. Neil Squire: Where we areNeil Squire: Where we are
• Burnaby, BC
• Regina, SK
• Ottawa, ON
• Fredericton, NB
• Moncton, NB

5. Distance Partners: Where we areDistance Partners: Where we are
• Penticton, BC
• Vernon, BC
• Osoyoos, BC
• Weyburn, SK
• Saskatoon, SK
• Pembroke, ON
• Sudbury, ON
• In participants
homes

6. Where we can go and growWhere we can go and grow

7. “ The building is a safe
haven for learning. I
believe it is the best
program for support and
learning in the Penticton
area, servicing on and off
reserve people with
disabilities.”
Florence MacArthur
Director of Education
Project Manager, Social Services

8. Statistical BackgroundStatistical Background
“In 2006, the number of people that identified
themselves as an Aboriginal person
surpassed the one-million mark, reaching
1,172,790.”
Aboriginal People in Canada in 2006, Statistics Canada 97-558-XIE

9. Statistical BackgroundStatistical Background
“In 2006, 4.4 million Canadians … reported
having an activity limitation yielding a
disability rate of 14.3%”
Participation and Activity Limitation Survey, Statistics Canada 89-6288-XIE

10. Statistical BackgroundStatistical Background
“… the fact that the overall rate of Aboriginal
disability is at least twice the national
average is not in dispute.”
Where the River Flows: Aboriginal People with Disability, HRSDC Oct 2006

11. Aboriginals with DisabilitiesAboriginals with Disabilities
Approximately, 29% (335,418) Aboriginals
live with a Disability across Canada.*
* Note both Aboriginal rates,
and rates of people with disabilities,
are both recognized for being under reported

12. “The facilitators at the
Footprints and Neil
Squire Society are very
supportive and helpful.
The career and health
and wellness
information gave me the
confidence to apply for
work off reserve. I
found this an excellent
program for me.”
Trudy George
Employ-Ability Participant
Community Navigator

13. Aboriginal People with Disability:Aboriginal People with Disability:
Focus on EmploymentFocus on Employment
• Establish active information and resources for
aboriginals with disabilities.
• Disability policies in context of Aboriginal cultures.
• Priorities in data collection (track successful
programs).
• Address specific needs of persons with disabilities.
• Literacy and adult training as transition to
employment.
• Technology to empower Aboriginals with Disabilities.
Where the River Flows: Aboriginal People with Disability,
HRSDC Aboriginal Affairs Directorate, Oct 2006

14. “ I took the Employ-Ability
online course in 2009
and it was what I
needed! I live in Oliver
and took the program
from my band office. I
learned about how to
look for work and what I
would like to do. I am
now studying at Enowkin
College and learning a
lot.”
Jorden Allen
Employ-Ability participant

15. Footprints to Technology BuildingFootprints to Technology Building
• 2004 – Construction
Began
• 2006 – Building Opened
• Disability center
downstairs
• Youth center upstairs

16. Partnerships in ProgrammingPartnerships in Programming
• 2004 - BC Universal Access Initiative
–Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities
• 2005 – Footprints to Technology Program
–One-on-one computer tutoring
• 2006 – Employ-Ability
–Career Development, Wellness, and Computer Technology
• 2008 – Community Navigators
–Peer Support program

17. Advisory CommitteeAdvisory Committee
Volunteers assist the project with
community input and expertise at
quarterly meetings

18. Neil Squire Employ-Ability ProgramNeil Squire Employ-Ability Program
• A three year pilot project funded by OLT
• To reach 90 people with disabilities and
increase their employability

19. EmployAbility - ModulesEmployAbility - Modules
Modules of EmployAbility include:
•Career Development, on site &
distance learning
•Personal Health & Wellness, on site
•Assistive & Computer Technology,
by distance learning
Additions and Adaptations to the
curriculum were made to include
Aboriginal cultural values.

20. E-A PIB Aboriginal OutcomesE-A PIB Aboriginal Outcomes
Apr 2008 – Dec 2009Apr 2008 – Dec 2009
• Employment Rate – 50%
• Return to School Rate – 8%
• Other forms of Education – 8%
• Total achievement rate – 67%

21. • “The more I do – day in and day
out, in love and faith, it comes
back to me a thousand fold, with
every footprint I take I learn
something. We grow from mud
pies to masterpieces. I have to
go forward, to look at what I can
do, break through the boundaries
of yesterday to little footprints
today. My pieces are like little
footprints of where I have been,
am and am going.”
Sophia Phillip
Employ-Ability participant

22. Community NavigatorsCommunity Navigators
• Recruit and train
Aboriginal Peers and
Elders with Disabilities
to provide Peer Support
• Help link Aboriginals on
Reserve with community
and Band services

23. Community Navigator OutcomesCommunity Navigator Outcomes
Apr 2008 – Dec 2009Apr 2008 – Dec 2009
Total – 67 People Reached

24. Community Navigator OutcomesCommunity Navigator Outcomes
Apr 2008 – Dec 2009Apr 2008 – Dec 2009
People that worked with a Navigator 67
Access Service Provider 14
Self-Employed 1
Employment 4
School 2
Volunteer 4

25. “Through this program, a whole new world
has opened up for Aboriginals’ with
disabilities. They move beyond the fear,
build self-confidence, and advocate for
themselves. For so many years, it was ‘no no
no…’, now, it’s ‘Yes I can.’”
Della Shade
Director, Social Development

26. Aboriginal People with Disability:Aboriginal People with Disability:
Focus on EmploymentFocus on Employment
• Establish active information and resources for
aboriginals with disabilities.
• Disability policies in context of Aboriginal cultures.
• Priorities in data collection (track successful
programs).
• Address specific needs of persons with disabilities.
• Literacy and adult training as transition to
employment.
• Technology to empower Aboriginals with Disabilities.
Where the River Flows: Aboriginal People with Disability,
HRSDC Aboriginal Affairs Directorate, Oct 2006

27. How can we work togetherHow can we work together
to empower moreto empower more
Aboriginals with Disabilities?Aboriginals with Disabilities?