AccessAbility Symposium at NAIT

Featuring keynote presentations, guest speakers and artists, the AccessAbility Symposium at NAIT will provide attendees with an opportunity to:

• Build a strong business case for workplace disability inclusion 
• Explore best practices for creating inclusive workplaces
• Enhance inclusion, accessibility, and diversity in polytechnic and STEM education

Open house

Wednesday, May 29 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

If you would like the opportunity to visit the Productivity and Innovation Centre (PIC) in advance, get familiar with the physical space, or plan your travel path we will be hosting an Open House the day before the event officially begins.

All event spaces will be made available from 10am - 3pm on Wednesday, May 29. This will be held drop-in style, and NAIT staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Event Day

Thursday, May 30 | 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• 8:15 a.m. — Registration open

• 9:00 a.m. — Event begins: opening ceremony and welcome remarks

• 9:30 a.m. — Morning session

• 10:30 a.m. — Break

• 10:45 a.m. — Morning session continue

• 12:15 p.m.  — Networking lunch

• 1:15 p.m. — Afternoon session

• 2:30 p.m. — Formal program end and networking reception

• 3:30 p.m. — Event close

All times are in MDT.

Modeling Diversity: The Transformational Impact of Unrelenting Inclusion

Presentation by: Bean Gill | Session Time: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

Bean shares what it was like to grow up in a strict Indian family and a culture that had rigid religious rules. Heavily bullied as a child, her sudden disability was a catalyst that forced her to face trauma head-on.

Bean took her health into her own hands, got the answers and help she needed, and bravely embraced an 'attitude of gratitude'. Her vast experience, strong background in human connection, and positive thinking strategies make her perfect for organizations that seek ways to help employees overcome adversity, improve self-awareness, limit self-doubt, and inspire individuals to embrace change within themselves and their communities. She delivers fun, upbeat engaging presentations which leave the audience feeling rejuvenated and ready to change their world.

"I want to rid the world of the stigma surrounding people with disabilities and will continue to speak about racism and discrimination. By educating others we can release bias, anger, and hatred." — Bean Gill

Accessibility and Disability in Postsecondary Education – Barriers to Support

Presentation by: Maike Schmieding and Megan Bulford | Session Time: 11:55 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 

Join us for a discussion around barriers to support students with disabilities in post-secondary education. PADRA(Post-Secondary Accessibility and Disability Resource Association) is excited to host this presentation talking in-depth about common barriers their constituents encounter, and the importance of peer-support. Attendants will walk away with real-life knowledge of working in the post-secondary disability support field, and understand the importance of systemic changes to do what is best for students.

Being in Two Places at the Same Time: IndigeSTEAM Society and Ohmni Telepresence Robots

Presentation by: Rob Cardinal and LoganArcilla | Session Time: 1:20 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. 

IndigeSTEAM Society trialed using Ohmni Telepresence robots for connecting to Indigenous students on Nation during COVID to provide some outreach STEM content. This sessions will share their experiences and plans using Ohmni robots with our Indigenous youth Robotics programs. This presentation will be unique in that there will be in-person presenters, presenters present via Ohmni Telepresence Robot, and two Ohmni robots present in the room that on-line participants can join to see what it is like to be the robot.