Barbara Thomas-Bruzzese – 2016

Barbara earned an M.A. in Clinical Psychology, with concentrations in Educational Psychology and Learning Disabilities, at Lakehead University. She has over 34 years’ experience working in the field of disabilities, initially as a School Psychologist at the Elementary and Secondary School level, and later as the Psychologist on a multidisciplinary team that provided in-service training and consulting services throughout BC, to people who worked with individuals with autism or severe disabilities.  Most recently, for over 22 years, she worked as a regular faculty member in the Access Programs for People with Disabilities Department at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and she was Department Coordinator/Chair for almost 10 of those years.

Barbara was the provincial Articulation Chair for Adult Special Education Programs, an Executive Member of the Disability Resource Network of BC, a member of the Richmond Transition Committee and a member of the Richmond Community Council for Community Living BC.  Barbara was a member of the provincial ASE Outcomes Steering Committee and was a representative from the ASE Programs Articulation Committee to the Inter-ministerial Youth Transition Planning Forum.  Barbara served on several internal committees at KPU as well as on the Faculty Council for the Faculty of Academic and Career Advancement and on its Standing Committee on Academic Planning and Priorities.

Barbara has been a strong advocate for the education of people with disabilities.  She has been committed to promoting the value of access and transition for students who would otherwise not be able to participate in a university education.

Barbara has presented at several community events as well as at international conferences.

In 2011, at the 27th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities, Barbara was a co-presenter on the topic “Transition Programs in Post-Secondary Education for People with Disabilities:  Kwantlen’s Experience”.

At the 2012 International Association of the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (IASSID) World Congress in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Barbara was a co-presenter on the topic “The effects of a post-secondary Transition Program on the success of students with disabilities”.

Well done Barbara!