The Glenn Crombie Centre at Cambrian College in Sudbury is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The centre offers several services and resources to students with disabilities to help ensure they have equal access to education. There were accessibility and wellness booths Oct. 14 at the centre to highlight the support and resources available to students with disabilities. From adaptive technologies to counselling and programs, the goal is accessibility. “Students who might not envision being able to continue with post-secondary education in their academic journey can now see themselves and a place for themselves here at college,” said Danielle Mink, the centre’s executive director. “They have opportunities the same as their peers do and barriers are removed in order to help them be successful.” Overcoming challenges Yvan Roy has worked at the Glenn Crombie Centre for 23 years. He helps students overcome challenges to learning with adaptive technologies. “Some of it could be as advanced as computer technology, but some as simple as just pencil grips. And it’s a tool that is designed to help somebody overcome a barrier. So, if they can’t read, this helps them with reading,” Roy said. “If they can’t see things, it helps them see things.” At the 30th celebration, Cambrian College also officially announced a new career pathways program for students with exceptional learning needs. The first of its kind in northern Ontario. “We are very student-centred,” said Tracy Love, the program’s coordinator. “We help students explore different career paths and different sectors of employment and help them prepare for that. So, whether a student wants to explore cooking or they want to explore retail or maintenance, that’s our role -- to help them explore what their best fits are.” Officials at Cambrian said there are currently 14 students enrolled in the career pathways program and that the third semester helps them find a placement in their sector of interest.
