Vincent Massey Collegiate has 1,300 students, including a number with physical disabilities, including four who use wheelchairs, two with visual disabilities, and two with hearing disabilities.
The school's Barrier Buster grant will be used to make the main entrance of their school more accessible by improving the slope and materials of the front ramp, widening the front door area, and installing electric push button doors.
As the main access point into the school, this update will have a significant impact on students with permanent disabilities, students with temporary injuries, staff, and visitors at every mobility level to easily access the building to attend events, presentations, and meetings.
In the spring of 2016, Vincent Massey staff reflected, brainstormed, and prioritized professional development topics. One of the priorities identified by our Phys. Ed team was: How can we include and plan for even more students with special needs? This question connected us to the Access4All Educator Resource with the support and assistance of the educational materials as well as the RHF consultant and RHF ambassadors, we trained our staff to deliver an actual Access4All lesson to our entire student body of over 1,300 students.
Vincent Massey has a vision; all areas of our facility will be fully accessible to all. To date, we have completed an elevator renovation, a complete redesign of our student lifeskills centre to accommodate students with severe mobility challenges, as well as our student centre. We are committed to continuing our transition to full accessibility for all students, staff, and community members.
The best thing about being a Barrier Buster is the inclusive effort of our staff, students, and community. Our students have made a number of suggestions for future school enhancements – by drawing student attention to this topic, students are more aware and engaged in assisting and supporting each other.
Thursday
September 21, 2017
Open Doors
Location: 975 Dowker Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3T 1R7
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Description: Vincent Massey’s ‘Open Doors’ event will have a ribbon cutting ceremony, food, beverages, and a school tour that will showcase the new accessible features. Guests will also be treated to special performances by alumni and recording artists, Raine Hamilton, Bright Righteous, and the Connor Derraugh Trio.
For more information, please contact:Colleen Roberts, Vice Principal at croberts@pembinatrails.ca or 204-453-8023 ext. 5011