NVIT STEPS-Forward - Nicola Valley Institute of Technology :

BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute

NVIT STEPS-Forward

BC INITIATIVE FOR INCLUSIVE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT NICOLA VALLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Inclusive Post-Secondary Education

Student Life

Work

For more information

STEPS Forward is a family-driven organization founded to ensure that people
with developmental disabilities are included as students in the academic and
social life of colleges and universities of British Columbia.

My name is Lisa DeWinter and I have had the privilege of being the Coordinator and Senior Inclusion Facilitator at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) since 2011. Being a part of Steps-Forward and their initiative for inclusive post-secondary education has been a very humbling experience for me. As a graduate from NVIT, I have lived the life of a student while I acquired my Adult Graduation Diploma, my Diploma of Arts in Academic Studies and finally my Bachelor of Social Work; all during which, I observed NVIT support and encourage recent graduates, young adults, parents, aunties, uncles and even grand parents to learn about themselves and to envision their potential as students today and leaders of their community's tomorrow.

It is this unique dedication and sense of community that allows all students the ability to embrace the rewards that come with the opportunity to learn. I believe Steps-Forward is a model of what an inclusive community ought to be doing to build the confidence and esteem of all citizens as well as an initiative that has seized a time when our elders lead inclusive communities. With that being said I am honored that I have been given this opportunity to continue a new journey of learning with Steps-Forward.

As each program challenges and inspires the students so does the campus life. Some of the student’s high lights include cultural activities, student perks, our games room, movie nights and by far the most enjoyable piece to NVIT is bringing the family down to enjoy one of our many feasts. As NVIT is unique in design and small in size a sense of community has taken its natural place among students, staff, faculty and our Elders.

What Are Some of the Success Stories?

In June, a young woman completed 5 years of audited studies in Social Work and Sociology. Today she is beginning a paid job with a local social justice research group. She was hired for this position by someone she met while volunteering in her University Women’s Centre. She has skills for the job because of her education and the experience she received at the University Library where she was employed as a student assistant. The graduate sits on her community youth counsel where she completed her social work practicum. She goes for coffee with her past employer because they discovered a shared interest in music and technology.

Alumnus, UVIC

BC INITIATIVE FOR INCLUSIVE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

What Are Some of the Success Stories?

SHARING KNOWLEDGE PREPARING LEADERS