Partners

Liberated Learning Consortium, Saint Mary's University

Liberated Learning began at Saint Mary’s University Atlantic Centre of Research, Access, and Support for Students with Disabilities in 1998. Saint Mary’s University plays a dual role as both physical host to the core Liberated Learning management team and partner in Liberated Learning research and development activities. Saint Mary’s is the managing partner of this project and is centrally involved in all project activities.

The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association

The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) was formed in 1982 to be the voice of hard of hearing Canadians.  Statistics have shown that approximately 10% of the Canadian population has some degree of hearing loss. CHHA was formed to give visibility to this invisible disability.  Our main objective is to promote self-help and education among hard of hearing persons to encourage learning and support individuals with hearing loss.  CHHA was sought as a strategic partner given its mandate supports initiatives across the broad spectrum of services that assist those with hearing loss, CHHA is the only pan-Canadian organization with operations in every province and territory and has identified text based supports such as captioning as an organizational priority. 

The CHHA National office and its network of branches and chapters will participate in helping to identify youth candidates for testing the Hosted Transcription System. CHHA will also test SR for various communication and accessibility focused applications, such as using SR for one on one captioning, for accessible group presentations, and for everyday applications, like email and instant messaging.
CHHA's Youth Network Facebook Page (CHAA Youth Network) CHHA National Facebook Page (CHAA National)

The Neil Squire Society

The Neil Squire Society is the only not-for-profit organization in Canada that has for over 25 years empowered Canadians with physical disabilities. More than 20,000 people with disabilities in Canada have benefited from the work of the Society.   Neil Squire has contributed significant innovations related to Liberated Learning.  In addition to piloting SR usage in their renowned Employ-Ability program, they contributed to building a software bridge that connects SR based captioning to the “Wimba” live classroom system, one of the most popular learning technology platforms used in higher education.  

In this phase, Neil Squire will continue to model usage in various programs and will use SR to create more accessible multimedia assets for its clients.  They will also participate in technology evaluation and innovation, which has long been an organizational strength gleaned from 25 years of work in technology and disability.Neil Squire Facebook Page

The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada

The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC) is a national, non-profit voluntary organization acting as the voice for persons with learning disabilities and those who support them. LDAC accomplishes its goals through public awareness about the nature and impact of learning disabilities, advocacy, research, health, education and collaborative efforts.  LDAC has actively contributed to an improved understanding of how SR impacts information accessibility.  Although a highly heterogeneous group, the spectrum of Learning Disabilities accounts for the largest group of students receiving specialized support services in Canadian post secondary institutions. 

LDAC and its regional and provincial partners will continue SR usage in various educational programs. The LDA network will act to engage youth with various learning disabilities across the country. They will furthermore support student evaluations, as they possess extensive organizational experience gathering and interpreting data from their membership community.  Learning Disabilities Association Facebook Page

Easter Seals Canada

Easter Seals Canada is Universal Liberated Learning's newest partner. Easter Seals is dedicated to fully enhancing the quality of life, self-esteem and self-determination of Canadians with disabilities. As Canada’s largest local provider of programs, services, issues-leadership and development for the disability community, Easter Seals is dedicated to helping more than 100,000 Canadians with disabilities participate fully in society. Easter Seals provincial organizations offer transformative programs and services at the local level, the best known of which are Easter Seals camp programs. Other services include year-round active living opportunities, as well as the provision of specialized mobility and access equipment such as mobility aids, assistive technology, adaptive computers, augmentative communication devices and adaptations to homes and vehicles for wheelchair accessibility.Easter Seals Facebook Page

Trent University

Trent University is an active research partner in the Liberated Learning Consortium and played a crucial role in developing linkages with Canadian NDOs. Trent possesses a multifaceted project team, which has conducted qualitative evaluations, invented new SR techniques, and performed technical feasibility studies. Their team will support multiple activity streams including technical support, evaluation, and research and development.

IBM Research

IBM Research is the world’s largest corporate research group. IBM has a strong legacy in SR research, developing the first statistical models for Speech Recognition and engineering numerous speech system milestones.  Their track record in accessibility is equally impressive.  IBM's long-standing commitment to people with disabilities began in 1914 when IBM hired its first employee with a disability, 76 years before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As a co-founder of the Liberated Learning Consortium, IBM Research provides existing experimental software platforms, ranging from simple desktop to scalable, distributed enterprise-level SR solutions.  IBM will work with community partners and university researchers in an iterative software development cycle to improve the state of the art.

NEADS

Outside of a formal partnership, we are collaborating with the National Educational Association of Disabled Students . NEADS is a consumer organization, with a mandate to encourage the self-empowerment of post-secondary students with disabilities. NEADS advocates for increased accessibility at all levels so that disabled students may gain equal access to college or university education, which is their right.

NEADS has committed members to the Youth Advisory Committee and will assist in engaging the student population in order to solicit candidates to participate in the testing phase of the Youth Initiative.