CanAssist In the fall of 2008, we at CanAssist at the University of Victoria, together with the Provincial Integrated Support Team (PISP), looked for partners to help us provide customized iPod's to 125 children in BC with a range of complex and highly challenging disabilities.
We contacted Variety - The Children's Charity because of its remarkable reputation with families of children who have special needs as well as the community at large. Variety is known as a key community partner that truly enriches the lives of children, their families and their communities. We were confident that we shared the overriding goal of assisting children to realize their hopes and dreams.
The staff at Variety are very receptive. They are open to new and innovative approaches to supporting groups of children in addition to supporting children on an individual basis. This flexibility is made possible for CanAssist at the University of Victoria, in partnership with PISP to successfully apply and access funding to purchase and adapt 125 iPods for children living with significant special needs across the province.
Our collective goal with this project is to give children with significant challenges the chance to enjoy music of their choosing and increase their independence as they will be able to control their own iPod. All too often new and exciting technologies are not available to users who have special needs. Our goal is to break down any barriers that preclude the use of such technologies and their enjoyment.
We have been very impressed with the rigor of the funding application process and Variety's transparent approach to accountability. We look forward to working in partnership with Variety, together with PISP, and sharing with Variety and its donors, the stories of the children who will be receiving the iPods over the next nine months.
We truly appreciate the financial support we received from Variety.
