Neil Squire Society & Penticton Neil Squire Society & Penticton Indian BandIndian Band

Penticton Indian BandPenticton Indian Band

Neil Squire SocietyNeil Squire Society

Neil Squire: Where we areNeil Squire: Where we are

• Burnaby, BC

• Regina, SK

• Ottawa, ON

• Fredericton, NB

• Moncton, NB

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

Where we can go and growWhere we can go and grow

“ 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 MacArthurDirector of Education

Project Manager, Social Services

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

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

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

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

“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 GeorgeEmploy-Ability Participant

Community Navigator

Aboriginal People with Disability: Focus Aboriginal People with Disability: Focus on Employmenton 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

“ 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 AllenEmploy-Ability participant

Footprints to Technology BuildingFootprints to Technology Building

• 2004 – Construction

Began

• 2006 – Building Opened

• Disability center

downstairs

• Youth center upstairs

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

Advisory CommitteeAdvisory Committee

Volunteers assist the project with

community input and expertise at quarterly meetings

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

EmployAbility - Modules EmployAbility - 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.

E-A PIB Aboriginal OutcomesE-A PIB Aboriginal OutcomesApr 2008 – Dec 2009Apr 2008 – Dec 2009

•Employment Rate – 50%

•Return to School Rate – 8%

•Other forms of Education – 8%

•Total achievement rate – 67%

• “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 PhillipEmploy-Ability participant

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

Community Navigator OutcomesCommunity Navigator OutcomesApr 2008 – Dec 2009Apr 2008 – Dec 2009

Total – 67 People Reached

Community Navigator OutcomesCommunity Navigator OutcomesApr 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

“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

Aboriginal People with Disability: Focus Aboriginal People with Disability: Focus on Employmenton 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

How can we work together How can we work together to empower more to empower more

Aboriginals with Disabilities?Aboriginals with Disabilities?