Jennifer Keeping Accessibility Centre Awarded Funding for Summer Employment Project

Cape Breton University’s Jennifer Keeping Accessibility Centre (JKAC) was awarded $50,000 in funding for their project “Support for Students With Disabilities Summer Work” in April, 2018. The project aimed to provide employment training to students with disabilities, such as resume building, interview tips and job preparation, as well as matching students with local summer employment opportunities.
Along with the employment of a project coordinator, the funding was used to cover 70% of the wages of the eight students over the course of 12 weeks at businesses including Breathing Space Yoga Studio, 101.9 the Giant, ACAP Cape Breton and others. Through this opportunity, students were able to gain valuable hands-on employment experience.
“Despite a much-needed push for increased diversity in the workforce, people with disabilities are still underrepresented. Students need assistance to find meaningful employment, which we were able to offer because of this funding,” says John Mayich, Director of Student Affairs.
The Jennifer Keeping Accessibility Centre was established in 2005 and has been instrumental in assisting students with disabilities to succeed in university life. An average of 150 students register with the Centre each year and receive accommodations to assist with their studies. The Centre provides access to note-takers, sign-language interpreters, tutors and more, along with assistive technology such as computers, braille embossers and audio recorders.
For more information about the Jennifer Keeping Accessibility Centre, visit cbu.ca/jkac