The Community Access Project (CAP) is a Government of Canada initiative, administered by Industry Canada, which aims to provide Canadians with affordable public access to the Internet and the skills they need to use it effectively. With the combined efforts of the federal, provincial and territorial governments, community groups, social agencies, libraries, schools, volunteer groups and the business community, CAP helps Canadians, wherever they live, take advantage of emerging opportunities in the new global knowledge-based economy. Under CAP, public locations like schools, libraries and community centres act as "on-ramps" to the Information Highway, and provide computer support and training. The project plays a crucial role in bridging the Digital Divide; contributing to the foundation for electronic access to government services; encouraging on-line learning and literacy; fostering the development of community based infrastructure; and, promoting Canadian e-commerce.

The Community Access for Computer at the Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) is also partially funded by Industry Canada. It is administered and maintained by the staff and CAP youth interns at the RCD. The aim of the CAP project is to encourage those individuals who otherwise face barriers to Internet and technology, to become comfortable and familiar with the many aspects of the Internet and computer usage.

RCD CAP site opens daily from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are 8 computer stations available for public access, including various assistive technologies for people with different disabilities, as well as 3 stations that are equipped with electrical height adjustable computer desk.

The Community Access Program (CAP) is funded by Industry Canada, and administered through the Richmond Centre for Disability Centre (RCD). The aim of the CAP project is to encourage those individuals who otherwise face barriers to Internet and technology, to become comfortable and familiar with the many aspects of the Internet and computer usage.

The duties of a CAP Youth Intern includes:

1) Promoting and Creating Awareness of the CAP including siteInforming a broad range of community members about the CAP Site and organizing information fairs and other promotional events, such as information sessions.

2) Training and assisting the general public and target groups on basic computer and Internet use, as well as delivering workshops.

3) Administration
• Maintaining records for the CAP Site
• Assisting the CAP Site Supervisor in the operation of the CAP Site

• New Features of Career Cruising – May 2010

Using Career Cruising with Individuals with Special Needs Career Cruising can be an effective tool for helping people with special needs transition successfully to life after school. The program’s features address a variety of activities and skills that are critical to the transition process and encourage positive user outcomes. They are currently offering training on using Career Cruising with individuals with special needs. To find out more information about these sessions and to register, please visit: http://www.careercruising.com/trainingCanada. Employment Section Career Cruising launched a new set of tools and content to help users better understand the job search process and search for real job postings from thousands of job boards and company career sites. The new Employment section has two primary components: an Employment Guide and a job search tool. You will be able to access the Employment section from the top menu bar on any page in Career Cruising. Their Employment Guide provides users with a wealth of information on each step in the job search process – everything from searching for work, to refining resumes and cover letters, to developing interview skills. The Employment section also features a new job search tool. Users can access the job search directly from the Employment section, or by using the Search for Jobs button that now appears on the career profile page for all occupations. When you click on the Search for Jobs button, you are provided with several suggested job titles or keywords related to each career profile, as a starting point for building a successful query. There is also an advanced search tool that helps users create more focussed searches. If you’d like to learn more about the Employment section, you can join an introductory webinar, which is catered for both novice and more experienced users. Click here to view webinar times and register Click here to learn more about the Employment section.

• RCD offers Career Cruising 2010

The RCD strives to heighten awareness for disabilities issues by offering a channel for caregivers to be aware of and learn how to address the needs of persons with disabilities. The Caregiver Circle Training is specifically designed to teach a basic array of skills to provide support, as well as some basic techniques for communication and self-care.

The RCD will offer the training series based on demands from the community; the presentation can be conducted either in English or Chinese. Please contact Ella for more information or training schedule.

The RCD Computer Training Courses are usually offered on a 12-week term basis, starting in January, April and September. The weekly classes include various practical computer courses such as Computer & Windows Basic; Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint; Keyboarding; Internet & Email; Photoshop Element and more.

Course fee is $45 for whole-term course (12 weeks) and $30 for short-term course (8 weeks).

For registration and arranging for interview for current or upcoming term, please contact Viet Vu or call 604-232-2404.

For more information about the Computer Training Course, please contact Viet Vu or Ian Yeung call 604-232-2404
Click here to download the Computer Class Schedule of next term...

This training workshop is designed to assist people in feeling more comfortable working with and communicating with individuals with disabilities. Topics include: appropriate language, types of disabilities, helpful hints in working with and accommodating various disabilities. The workshop is designed to be educational but light-hearted with sharing of personal stories and experiences. It could also be customized to include some exercises and simulations of what it is like to live with a disability.

Course Objectives

• Provide training focusing on disabilities and pertinent issues
• Develop awareness for the abilities of persons with disabilities
• Explain techniques and strategies to use when interacting with persons with different types of disabilities
• Identify the keys to effective communication with person with disabilities
• Increase awareness of accessibility issues with practical application

Click here to download Sensitivity Training Fact Sheet and background.
Click here to view Sensitivity Training Workshop curriculum & service fee.

For more information or booking for training, please contact Ella Huang or call 604-232-2404.

In 2010, RCD is in partnership with Neil Squire Society bringing their Employ-Ability Program to Richmond. The program offers skills development for employment for people with disabilities. With this partnership, Richmond residents can access computer, technology and technical support to participate in the program.

Click here to see more information about the Employ-Ability Program.
Contact Ian Yeung or call 604-232-2404 for details.

The RCD English Course is offered 3 terms a year, each term is usually comprised of 12 weeks.
Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Course fee is $80; space is limited;
assessment and registration is required.
Spring Term: April to June
Fall Term: September to December
Winter Term: January to March

For registration and arranging for assessment,
please contact Ian Yeung or call 604-232-2404.

Click here for English Course Curriculum Summary…
Click here to download the current term flyer.

Financial literacy is the ability to understand finance. More specifically, it refers to an individual's ability to make informed judgements and effective decisions about the use and management of their money. The RCD offers Public Education Series including Financial Literacy topics regularly, usually on Thursdays from 4:30-6:00pm; some topics covered are Financial Planning, Tax Matters and RDSP for People with Disabilities. During these workshops, you will discover how to empower yourself with the financial skills that will help you learn to save and manage money and as well as develop financial independence.

For more workshop schedule and details, please contact Carrie carrie@rcdrichmond.org or call 604-232-2404.

The main focus of RCD on Financial Literacy for 2010 is on Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).

Click here to view and download fact sheets and Information Session schedule.

The purpose of this training series is to increase participants’ knowledge and ability in skills necessary for everyday living. Topics may include Eating Right, Money Skills, Road Safety, Home Safety, Using the Bus System and Proper Social Conduct. The course is offered three times a year, usually starts in January, April and September, on Tuesday afternoons from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

A cooking component has recently been introduced to the training course; participants have the options of treating this component as an individual block to take or to drop. For participating in the cooking sessions, the material fee is $5 per session. There is no cost if not joining the cooking sessions.

For some terms, due to overwhelming popularity of the cooking component, the curriculum will focus mainly on this topic. You will learn how to eat healthy, prepare simple and delicious food like salad, soup, sandwiches and pasta.

Registration is required for participation, there is no provision for drop in participant, especially for cooking sessions.

For detailed curriculum of each term and registration, please contact Carrie or call 604-232-2404.

To download:
Life Skills Training Fact Sheet (Regular Term)
Registration Form
Current Term Class Schedule
Current Term Life Skills Training Brochure

This training is designed for people who have not worked with people with disabilities before.  We start off with a round of icebreaker activity followed by a series of team building exercises.  Within this training we will have a disability awareness and sensitivity workshop in order to understand the needs of people with disabilities.  Finally we will have a session where staff and veteran volunteers share their experience in working with people with disabilities.