Accessing learning centres on the Sunshine Coast just got a little easier, thanks to a partnership between Community Futures Sunshine Coast and Capilano University.
The Gibsons and District Public Library will provide meeting space for tutors and learners from Capilano University's Community Access to Literacy and Learning (CALL) program. CALL is a free tutoring program offered through Cap U that matches tutors with learners who want to improve their reading, writing, math and computer skills. Learning spaces are available at Cap U in Sechelt, Pender Harbour Community School Learning Centre in Madeira Park and the Sechelt Public Library.
Community Futures, with funding provided by Western Economic Diversification through the entrepreneurs with disabilities program, offered the ABLE 2 program. In partnership with the Lighthouse Learning Network essential skills project, this short-term project provided basic computer skills training to four entrepreneurs with disabilities. The participants' computer skills improved during the six-week tutorial, enabling them to access the Internet, send emails and produce business cards/flyers to support their business.
The ABLE 2 project also provided accessibility upgrades for the Gibsons library, Community Resource Centre, Sechelt library and Learning Centre. A computer workstation in each location is wheelchair accessible and provides large font keyboards and big screen monitors for visually impaired individuals.
On an ongoing basis, Community Futures offers the Abilities 2 Business program, and entrepreneurs with disabilities loan funds to support persons with disabilities to start and maintain businesses.
For more information on the CALL program, contact Carol Nielsen at 604-885-9310 or [email protected]. For more information on Community Futures programs, see www.communityfutures.org or contact Diane Hill [email protected] or 604-885-1959, ext. 228.
- Submitted