CanAssist's can-do technology
helps overcome disabilities
According to Statistics Canada, 570,000 British Columbians – over 13 per
cent of the population – have a disability that affects their daily lives.
While most are able to function with minimal assistance or with readily
available aids, some people have such specific needs that devices
must be designed and manufactured expressly for them.
This is where the University of Victoria’s CanAssist program steps
in.
Made-in-B.C. program enhances lives of disabled
Founded in 1999 as UVATT (the University of Victoria Assistive Technology
Team), CanAssist got its start when it built a finger switch to aid a
severely disabled boy. Over the years, a diverse group of 2,000 people – including
specialists, students and volunteers from fields including engineering,
kinesiology, music and physics as well as fabricators and a seamstress – have
participated in the program.
Thanks to this expertise, CanAssist has developed more than 140 projects
such as tricycles and bicycles for children with visual impairments and
other disabilities, eye-tracking communications systems and high-tech
wheelchair modifications including a customized dog leash clip to assist
a quadriplegic who has limited use of his arms.
In addition to the appreciation it receives from those whose lives have
been touched by the program, CanAssist has received numerous accolades
including a Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Innovative Technology.
Funding for the future
The Province recently presented CanAssist with a one-time grant worth
$750,000 to support the work they do to improve the lives of British
Columbians with disabilities and special needs.
In addition to increasing their capability to provide more equipment
and specialized projects, the funding will help CanAssist recruit more
volunteers, strengthen existing projects and expand four main research
areas – communication and control, mobility and motion, online
learning and community building and human-computer interaction.
Thanks to partnerships with institutions such as UVic and CanAssist,
British Columbia is well on its way to reach its goal of building Canada’s
best system of support for person with disabilities.
To find more information about CanAssist, its programs and accomplishments,
visit www.uvatt.org.
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