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!

Shannon was also a volunteer coach for the BC Blind Track and Field Team from January 1981 to December 1984.

Shannon became an Interpreter and tutor for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from 1991 to 2000 with the Vancouver School Board.

From April 2000 until her retirement in 2016, Shannon was instructor of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

In 2007, Shannon became Department Head for the Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults. She served 2 three year terms.

• IN addition to her tireless work with the department, Shannon was also Chair of the Disability Resource Network (DRN) Awards Committee. 2011 – 2014
• Member of the lower mainland’s Council of Service Providers for D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals from infancy to adults, 2008 – 2013
• Trustee on the Jericho Hill Legacy Trust Board, 2008 – 2015
• Chair of Jericho Hill Legacy Trust, 2011 – 2015
• Member of the Board of the Western Institute for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 2008 to 2010.

We will miss you Shannon

Anita joined the Community & Career Education Dept in 2008, where she finally found her home and continued teaching until her retirement in April of this year. She taught in the Clerical Skills Training courses, then moved to the Hospitality Careers Program. During her time in the Hospitality program she was instrumental in developing relationships with industry in the hospitality sector and introducing many of these properties to the skills that our students have to offer. Anita’s incredible organization skills and dedication were obvious to anyone who worked with her. She had the most organized curriculum I have ever seen, and often won the race to be the first one in the office in the morning.

Anita became involved with the DRN in 2010 where she attended her first DRN conference. She was quickly recruited and accepted a nomination to the DRN Exec in 2012. Since that time Anita has been an active member of the Executive, as well as taking on responsibilities for Wall of Fame Recognition. In fact, even after retiring, she continued with her tasks on the committee to ensure that the Awards and Recognition committee remained intact during a time of transition.

Anita was a strong and insightful advocate regarding student needs. She will be will be missed.

Not only has Wayne worked with our student group, he has been an educator and worked with staff, faculty, and students on LGBTQ issues and was the driving force behind VCC’s Positive Space committee. In February 2000, through Wayne’s leadership, VCC hosted an art competition called “Respect & Dignity – Confronting Homophobia through Art”. This event involved post-secondary institutions throughout the lower mainland whereby cash prizes were donated by local businesses. Art submissions were judged by local artists including Joe Average. The top three pieces were then made into impactful posters that were displayed at both campuses.

Wayne has also been an active member the faculty union VCCFA. He has been on the professional development funds committee for 20+ years; VCCFA shop steward for 12 years;; member of the VCCFA executive for 6 years; member of VCC’s previous Diversity Committee and a member of the Disability Advisory Committee.

Many of you know of Wayne’s long term involvement and commitment to the DRN. He has been on the Executive, Conference Chair and member of the Conference Planning committee for many years. Wayne’s creative designs, including his own artwork, have been depicted on the DRN conference postcards for the past 13 years. Wayne has been a one-man show in maintaining the DRN website, and even going into retirement, has agreed to continue in this role for a little longer.

So much more can be said on Wayne’s contributions, but I think it is only fair to say, “Thank you Wayne from the DRN… and welcome to the Wall of Fame. You deserve it!!!

Laverne has also been a leader in this organization. She was Chair of the DRN Executive for several years and although she has tried to step away a few times, she continues to be a driving force behind many of the projects DRNBC has initiated. Laverne helped create the Advocacy subcommittee of the DRN and most recently formed another subcommittee – the Research Committee. Laverne is also the DRNBC rep to the Expert Advisory Committee for Special Populations for WorkBC and I believe she may stay on these committees. Lots of work but that has never stopped her! Oh wait, she was ASE Articulation Chair for a few years too!

Always interested in research and what is new in our field, Laverne’s latest undertaking has been the UDL project at Capilano University. She took this project on with enthusiasm and professionalism and is a tireless advocate not only for increased access for students with disabilities but as a champion to create inclusive post-secondary classrooms. We have just received news that there is funding for a phase III for this project. Laverne’s first question for us when we asked if she was interested in carrying on with this contract was ‘can I do it from Europe?’

Thank you for all you have done for our students, our department and for the DRN, Laverne. We will miss you!

During her 25 years in the field, Susanne was a leader whose sage advice was constantly sought after by her colleagues and whose leadership greatly enriched disability services in our province. She served as Chair of BC Articulation – Disability Services for several years and was a key player in the development of an Orientation Manual for Disability Service Providers . She annually spearheaded revisions to the provincial matrix of disability documentation and accommodation as part of the Disability Services Framework. She created and, for 22 years, she moderated and maintained Servnet, the communication platform for disability service providers in the province. Susanne’s accomplishments are many but her most unique contribution is her generosity in sharing her knowledge on an almost daily basis with her colleagues. She is a most deserving nominee for the Wall of Fame.

Bob has been a member of the Adult Special Education programs at Douglas College for well over twenty years. He was instrumental in developing and expanding skills training programming for students who live with various learning barriers and/or disabilities providing opportunities that led to employment for many. He has worked with businesses to maintain industry standards in a number of skills training areas including Basic Occupational Education: Electronics and General Assembly where business is now naming the Douglas College graduates as preferred when hiring for their firm. He assisted the Light Warehouse Training Program to first be established, and later to achieve a Red Seal status for an Apprenticeship level. He nurtured the maintenance of partnerships with School District 43 and Community Living British Columbia to financially support students attending Douglas College.

Bob has been involved is securing funds for Bursary’s such as the Joan Meister ORW Memorial Fund for Students with Disabilities Bursary and the more recent Norman J. Goode Award of Distinction.

Bob has been the `Face of Transition’ to families and potential students at annual transition fairs and career fairs, in over 8 local school districts. Hundreds of parents have been able to speak directly with Bob and realize that their son or daughter could gain employment through post-secondary education that focuses on marketable skills. Something that they did not know was possible. Funders of employment training want to see results and results mean jobs. Bob has maintained a history of the successes of Douglas College Alumni that rivals all of the community college programs in British Columbia.

Provincial Recognition: 

Bob has led the Disability Resource Network of ASE faculty in British Columbia in gaining recognition for applied programming. Numerous other post-secondary institutions have sought Bob’s knowledge on how to change and improve their ASE programs and see him as a leader. He has connected with the array of provincial Ministries that promote education into employment in applied programming and in the 1990s, he was seconded from Douglas College, by a provincial government department, to be project lead on the provincial shift from funding day programs to employment focused programs for adults who live with an intellectual disability. This was in light of his ability to accomplish just such a change at the largest community living agency in British Columbia.

Attributes and Qualities:

With a Master’s Degree  from Simon Fraser University, Bob has always applied the lens of how do we reach the goal for the student and the employer, in our instructional design. He displays a respect for each potential student, each student and each graduate of ASE. He is an inspiring leader in student centered instructional delivery. His student centered approach is more than just best practice in the field or modality of instruction methods. It’s about providing opportunities for students to grow, build their skills, broaden opportunities, gain confidence through training and education and to have the opportunity to better their future. Isn’t that what post secondary is about?

Community Service:

He has been a Conference organizer and conference speaker. His presentations in North America on Supported Employment and the role of the Community College in preparing students for the world of work were engaging, entertaining and humorous.  He remains an active, thought provoking member of community based committees that focus on transition and community based employment. He represented Douglas College on a joint project with the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce to encourage the members to see the business case of hiring and inspiring employees who live with a disability. He is a true advocate of this population, committed to raising questions on inclusion and equal access to skills based training and commits himself to supporting continued improvements in post-secondary offerings.

Bob has encouraged students of instructional design at Douglas College to build a career in adult education, preferably ASE of course. He has instructed for Douglas College Continuing Education in survey courses to entice students to see their career path to be in supported employment delivery and values such programs as many of the staff within the ASE department are Douglas graduates.

Bob has been a major player in the Adult Special Education provincial framework in developing opportunities for students in accessing education and training as they transition from Secondary into Post Secondary and on into employment opportunities. He has worked hard to heighten awareness in our communities by partnering with organizations, educating employers about the value of students of abilities, and by creating new opportunities for students over the years raising Douglas’s profile as a front runner. His efforts in developing pathways for students with a disability / barrier  allows graduates to work to their potential, contribute to society and feel proud to be a graduate of Douglas as they too receive their credential. He continues today to be a spokesperson, advocate, and is highly regarded as an expert in the field of Adult Special Education and Post Secondary programming for learners with challenges.

Throughout her career, she has been committed to Braille as a primary literacy format for people who are blind. She believes that Unified English Braille will make Braille easier to learn and more available to those who need it.

During her career, Betty served as the Division Chair of Adult Basic Education. She also worked as Special Advisor On Disability Issues for the Ministry of Advanced Education. In the year 2000, Betty received the YWCA Woman of Distinction award in the category of Education Training and Development in recognition of her community work and innovative educational leadership.

In 1996, due to her hard work and attention to detail Dana was promoted to a BOE Faculty position, joining Bob Logelin, the other faculty in the BOE program.   During her time with Douglas College she demonstrated expertise in delivering instruction to adult learners with special needs and barriers to employment. Dana demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities in developing, revising and implementing program curricula and preparing strategies to facilitate the application of classroom learning to the laboratory or practicum setting in various vocational fields, including electronic assembly, food services and retail and business sector. More importantly, Dana has been a key figure resulting in the employment of literally hundreds of BOE graduates, most full time, many part time. Under Dana’s direction, the BOE program has evolved into one of the largest ASE programs in the province, serving in excess of 56 students annually.

In all aspects of her work, Dana had shown herself to be conscientious, dependable, flexible and hardworking; or as the parent of one of our students put it, the “consummate professional.” Dana has been a supportive and contributing team member and excellent leader, often leading by example. When dealing with diverse situations, she collaborated with both faculty and staff proactively and respectfully always keeping in the forefront the students’ best interests. With her pleasant personality, attention to detail, and very effective interpersonal skills, she has been an inspiring role model to others and a pleasure to work with. She will be greatly missed.

As well as working on the front lines with students, Lucas also sat on numerous committees, such as the Diversity and Equity Committee and the Human Rights Committee, making sure the needs of students with disabilities on campus were represented. Lucas’s final contribution to his field is his new disability awareness play called “Re-Calculating” which debuted at Douglas College last June. His play was also performed for the students in Cap’s Health Education programs last Fall and was performed earlier this month for Caps faculty during their PD Days. In closing, during the 15 years I have had the pleasure to work with Lucas, he has consistently given 200% and has been caring, considerate, respectful and knowledgeable in his dealing with everyone, but especially in his dealings with students. He was always there to listen and offer support and will be sorely missed by everyone who knows and loves him.