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Education

Our full directory is also available as a downloadable PDF. If we need to add something to the directory, let us know by sending an email to Spencer van Vloten

Also: Download our funding guide, an easy to navigate and extensive collection of funding opportunities: 

 

Education 

Access Programs for People with Disabilities 

Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Access Programs for People with Disabilities teach the essential skills to become successful students, capable employees, and valuable members of the community. Students participate in classes and have the opportunity to explore a variety of work experiences.

BCEdAccess

BCEdAccess Society serves families of students with disabilities all over the province of British Columbia. This parent support group has over 1600 members, and the stories shared on their private discussion board daily illustrate the depth of the challenges families face in pursuing equitable access to education in BC schools.

BC Paraplegic Foundation Scholarships

The foundation awards annual scholarships and bursaries to students with spinal cord injury who meet the foundation’s funding criteria

Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods 

Works collaboratively to find creative solutions to, and educate about, barriers within communities. Projects include: accessibility, transportation, advocacy, empowerment, disability awareness, poverty, 2SLGBTQIA+ (Queer) issues, disability justice, and more.

 

Centre for Accessible Post-Secondary Education Resources BC

Provides accessible learning and teaching materials to students and instructors who cannot use conventional print because of disabilities

Capilano University Education and Employment Access Certificate

This program helps students learn skills to succeed in their future education and/or vocational goals. Students will finish with a personal portfolio, educational and employment-related certifications, strategies for success in first year courses, and current work experience in a sector related to their interests.

DisabilityAwards.ca

Provides an online search tool to find scholarships for students with disabilities

Douglas College VEST Program

Offers Vocational Education and Skills Training (VEST) programs to people with disabilities or barriers to education and employment. Programs help students identify career paths, develop work skills, or move on to additional education or employment.

Education Assistants Standards of Practice

An advocacy group working for effective and inclusive education by establishing standards of practice for education assistants 

Gert Vorsteher Bursary Award

Grants of $5,000 each to British Columbians with a physical disability who intend to pursue post-secondary education that will lead to employment and greater personal independence

Inclusive Education Resources

A collection of tools, tips, strategies, and organizations from around the web and across BC to support disabled students in the classroom

 

Job Applications Canada: Scholarships

Scholarships for people working or looking for employment

North Island College Employment Transition Program

Students with intellectual disabilities participate in supervised work experience, skills training, and post-graduation placements

Okanagan College Adult Special Education

Okanagan College offers courses and programs that help students with intellectual disabilities gain academic, employment, and independent living skills in a respectful and supportive learning environment.  Five certificate programs are available.

Open Future Learning

Online learning covering a range of subject areas dedicated to the field of intellectual disabilities, with modules on subjects such as active support, person-centered approaches, thinking and planning, challenging behavior, and supported employment, and more

PALS Autism School

PALS Autism School is the only specialized bricks and mortar elementary and secondary school in British Columbia for children and adolescents with autism, accompanied by a before and after school care program, as well as a program for adults with autism to further develop life skills

Post-Secondary Communication Access Services

A province-wide service to support access for students who are deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind

Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with a Permanent Disability

This plan could reduce or replace your monthly student loan payments, depending on your financial situation. Your expenses related to your disability may help further reduce your payments.

SelfDesign

Online, personalized education, with an emphasis on learners with special needs

Selkirk College SOAR Program

The program's mission is to nurture interdependence and independence through meaningful learning. Our programs build upon learners’ unique personal strengths, confidence, awareness and skills. Selkirk College has a diverse offering of programs to meet the learning needs of adult students.

Severe and Permanent Disability Benefit

If you have a severe permanent disability that prevents you from working in a gainful way for the rest of your life, you may be able to have your student loans cancelled through the Severe Permanent Disability Benefit

SOAR Inclusive Preschool

At SOAR, children on the Autism spectrum learn alongside typically developing classmates. Children who have no diagnosis benefit from the school’s individualized curriculum while they build social awareness and learn to accommodate different types of friends

STEPS Forward

STEPS Forward is a program for adults with developmental disabilities who want to attend their local college or university in BC. Participants get to study a wide variety subjects, participate in social activities, and are supported with summer employment and career development.

Student Aid BC 

Scholarships are available to help students with disabilities fund their education. The Student Aid BC: Disability Program Guide contains detailed info about the process.

Thompson River University Educational Skills and Training (ESTR) program

Thompson River University's ESTR program provides knowledge about future employment opportunities and training in a specific area to students with intellectual disabilities. During the full-time, nine-month program students divide their time between classes, labs and work placements.

University of the Fraser Valley Centre for Accessibility Services

The Centre for Accessibility Services provides information to UFV students, staff and faculty, as well as the community, on disability issues and the implications of disabilities on education

University of the Fraser Valley TASK Program

TASK stands for Training in Attitudes, Skills, and Knowledge for the Workplace. TASK students participate in a series of employability workshops, such as FoodSafe, First Aid, and WorldHost. They also learn basic computer skills and get support exploring career options, preparing resume, and rehearsing for interviews. In addition, they take part in three community-based work experiences to gain valuable on-the-job experience.

Vancouver Community College Courses for Disabled Students

Vancouver Community College offers courses for special needs, visually impaired, and hard of hearing students, with several job readiness options and courses to become more comfortable using sign language and assistive technology

Various Scholarships

A number of educational awards have been established and are available to help benefit youth with disabilities looking to pursue post-secondary educations. These awards are administered by the Post-Secondary Schools and information on criteria and eligibility are available directly with the schools.

Vancouver Island University WEST Program

The WEST Program is specifically targeted to students with developmental and cognitive disabilities. It is designed to assist students' development with personal, interpersonal, and employment skills required to obtain and maintain employment

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