Catherine Mead 2010

I think it is fair to say that Catherine is one DRN member known by only a few but  fondly remembered by certain students with disabilities long after they left the University of British Columbia.  You see Catherine began working at UBC as a narrator in 1973 narrating textbooks and other materials to provide alternate format access for students with print disabilities;  prior to then Catherine  had voice-over and broadcasting experience in both the radio and film industries. She was production manager at Studio 58 in the 1970s, after graduating from the Theatre Arts program at Studio 58 and was chosen to voice the first Greenpeace film produced which I think is very cool .  At UBC, she joined Crane Library  which became part of  the Disability Resource Centre and then Access & Diversity.

This is quite an achievement!  In 2009 Catherine was inaugurated into the University of British Columbia’s 25/35 Year Club,  and in March of 2010 Catherine retired after 36 years of service  at UBC. Despite her retirement, she  has  graciously  offered to continue to narrate as volunteer , thus continuing to benefit students,  staff and  faculty with print  disabilities.

Over the years Catherine has contributed her narration skills and lent her voice to stories, texts, exams and children’s books; as well as volunteer narrating at Queen Mary Elementary on her days off. She has been personally commended by several  students for her quality narration. It is estimated that Catherine has read more than 1 ,500 titles over the course of her career.

I always think it is remarkable that for professionals like Catherine retirement is an almost non existent word and we thank you Catherine for your continued efforts!