Welcome to the CanAssist web site.
Our Mission
CanAssist is dedicated to developing technology, devices and services that will improve the quality of life of those with special needs.
Welcome to the CanAssist website!
Recent News
August 19, 2008: Thank You Shaw Communications!
We are pleased to announce that Shaw Communications Inc. has donated $50,000 to CanAssist.
Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified Canadian communications company that is committed to enriching and improving the communities they serve. For the past 30 years, Shaw has donated millions of dollars towards a multitude of local organizations and continues to do so because “simply put, giving back is the right thing to do.”
Their generous grant will be used to further develop and refine three of our core communication technologies—the Dynamic Keyboard, KeySurf, and the EMG Communication System—for persons with severe disabilities. This will be the second grant Shaw Communications has given in support of CanAssist’s activities and programs. To learn more about Shaw, please visit their website at: www.shaw.ca
July 14, 2008: CAN-AM Open Swimming Championships
CanAssist was proud to support the SWAD (Swimmers With A Disability) CAN-AM Swimming Championships held at the Saanich Commonwealth Place from July 11-13th. Co-hosted by UVic, Pacific Coast Swimming Association and Swimming-Natation Canada, top Paralympic athletes from around the world competed in what for most will be the last major international competition prior to the Paralympic Games in Beijing.
CanAssist would like to congratulate all the athletes that participated in the CAN-AM Championships and would like to send best wishes to the athletes competing in Beijing.
June 20, 2008: Thank You Safeway (Fort and Foul Bay)!
We would like to thank Safeway (on Fort and Foul Bay Road) for having chosen CanAssist as their organization to support for their 2008 We Care Program.
Between January and March, CanAssist and Safeway organized three events (Miles Bring Smiles Day, Charity Checkout Day, and We Care Day) to build awareness and fundraise for CanAssist programs. With the hard work and dedication of the CanAssist and Safeway staff, we are proud to announce that we were able to raise $22, 213. On March 31st, the partnership between CanAssist and Safeway ended with a delightful cheque presentation at the Fort and Foul Bay store.
June 1, 2008: $3 M Grant Announcement
CanAssist is excited to announce that the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance and the Ministry of Advanced Education has awarded CanAssist with $3 M to support its activities and programs. On May 8th, three ministers-Hon. Claude Richmond, Hon. Murray Coell, and Hon. John Nuraney-announced this grant at a special event held at the Legislature Buildings.
We would like to thank the Provincial Government for recognizing us as an important service to the community and for supporting our programs. We would also like to thank all our supporters who came and joined us in the celebration.
May 20, 2008: Congratulations Emanuela!
CanAssist would like to congratulate Emanuela Tura who recently defended her Master's Thesis "Functional Neurocircuitries of Working Memory in Chronic Schizophrenia". Under the supervision of CanAssist Director, Dr. Nigel Livingston, Emanuela was studying ways to detect functional circuitries using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), electroencephalogram(EEG) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET imaging). This research would allow her to characterize the pathologies of individuals with cognitive impairments, enabling the further study of targeted therapies and assistive technologies. While pursuing her Masters, Emanuela has also been conducting research at the University of California at Irvine (UCI) under the direction of Dr. James Fallon, Senior Full Bright Scholar, and Dr. Steven Potkin, American
Psychiatric Association Distinguished Fellow and scientific director of the Brain Imaging Centre at UCI.
Emanuela will be convocating from the University of Victoria with her Master's in Science in November 2008. Congratulations Emanuela!
April 2, 2008: Thank you Great Canadian Gaming Corporation!
We are pleased to announce that the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC) has donated $1 million to CanAssist.
In each of the next five years, CanAssist will be receiving $200,000 from the GCGC, providing CanAssist with the funds to respond to more requests for devices, continue its ongoing research program, and expand its operations to provide training opportunities for people with special needs. “I am pleased to help ensure the continued progress and expansion of this vital work,” says Ross McLeod, chief executive officer of GCGC. “On behalf of Great Canadian Casinos, we know that our commitment, together with the energy and imagination of UVic students, will continue to enhance the lives of citizens challenged by disabilities.”
The Great Canadian Gaming Corporation is a multi-jurisdictional gaming and entertainment operator with facilities in British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Washington State.
For more information about the GCGC donation, please refer to the UVic media release.
March 31, 2008: Garth Homer Resource Fair
CanAssist would like to thank Community Living Victoria, Integra Support Services, Garth Homer Society and Community Living BC for inviting us to participate in their annual Resource Fair.
Held at the Garth Homer Society, this information fair was an opportunity for families, individuals and service providers to learn about the supports and services available to transitioning youth and adults who live with developmental disabilities.
January 28, 2008: Volunteer Networking Fair
This past Sunday, CanAssist attended the Volunteer Networking Fair hosted by UVic's Student Leadership Program.
Held at the David Strong Building, students had the opportunity to meet with various community organizations and gather information on how to volunteer and become involved with them. CanAssist was delighted to be involved with such an exciting event and would like to thank the UVic Student Leadership program for inviting us.
December 14, 2007: Just for Kicks Christmas Party 2007
This past Sunday, after an exciting game of team soccer, Just for Kicks held its annual Christmas party at the upper lobby of the UVic McKinnon gym. To the delight of the children, Santa Claus made a surprise visit and presented each child with a special gift bag filled with toys and treats. Drinks and delicious goodies (courtesy of Fort and Foul Bay Safeway) were also available for the kids to enjoy. Overall, it was a great ending to the Just for Kicks season, filled with smiles and laughter.
CanAssist would like to thank Safeway(Fort and Foul Bay) for providing the drinks and delicious treats and the staff at the UVic McKinnon gym for assisting with the setup. Also, Just for Kicks would like to give a huge thank you to all the volunteers that come out each Sunday to play with the kids. Without your participation, Just for Kicks would not be what it is today.
October 16, 2007: Thank You Soccerworld
CanAssist would like to thank Soccerworld for donating a new set of soccer balls to the Just for Kicks Soccer Program. The young athletes were excited to begin their drills on Sunday afternoon in the McKinnon Gym after receiving the fresh new balls. There are no registration fees for the program and therefore, community support is invaluable. Soccerworld is a sports equipment store with a large selection of footwear, apparel and equipment for soccer, field hockey and rugby. Thank you Soccerworld!
August 21, 2007: IDC Invention Competition 2007
We would like to congratulate CanAssist team members, Phil Zeman (left) and Sunny Mahajan, for receiving first prize at the Innovation and Development Corporation (IDC) Invention Competition. More than a hundred participants from all over the island joined the competition. Phil and Sunny won first prize in the software category for the improvement to the diagnosis of brain disorders based on EEG data. They were also nominated for the "People's Choice" Award. Congratulations Phil and Sunny!
Just for Kicks Soccer Program
Just for Kicks is an exciting soccer program designed to give children with specials needs a chance to play soccer, make new friends, play on a team and-most importantly-have some fun!
Games are played on Sunday afternoons from September through March at the UVic McKinnon Gym. There are
no registration fees and children from all ages are encouraged to join. We provide soccer jerseys for everyone and at the end of the program, each child receives a medallion or trophy.
The success of our program is largely due to our dedicated and enthusiastic soccer buddies who play alongside our young athletes. Each volunteer is paired with a different child to help ensure that he/she is having
fun and participating. We are always looking for more volunteers so come join us now! (no soccer experience necessary)
If you are interested in becoming a soccer buddy or if you know of a child who would love to participate, please email Graham or Carmen Duncan at just4kicks@canassist.ca
or call 250-598-9382.
Volunteer Spotlight
Norma Haskett
Norma Haskett is a seamstress who spends her spare time sewing items for UVATT. Born in England, Norma has been sewing since she was five years old. Read Norma's story...
Bill Hook
Bill Hook works on projects that require expertise in electronics. As a communications engineer, he has solved numerous similar problems over his 35 year career. Read Bill's story...
More volunteer stories...