WorkBC Assistive Technology Services

05/28/2026

Earlier this month, our Marketing Manager Nate Toevs attended the 14th Annual M.O.S.A.I.C. Job Fair at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster, which had over 2,500 jobseekers in attendance. Great opportunity to connect! Photos courtesy of MOSAIC.

05/27/2026

Linda (pictured in the middle with WorkBC Assistive Technology Services staff members Joanna and Andleeb) works part-time as a visitation assistant at a funeral home.

“[I have] mild to severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss,” she shares. “[It] significantly impacts my ability to perform my job duties, communication, active listening, and safety as my main role is directly meeting with families in highly sensitive situations.”

A co-worker referred her to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services to help get the hearing aids she needs for work. “The Assistive Technology Services program provided valuable support in funding my hearing aids. I also received clear and detailed information about the program, delivered in a highly professional and friendly manner,” she says.

“I have more confidence,” Linda explains. “My employer, colleagues, and clients appreciate that they no longer need to repeat themselves, which has made communication much smoother. I am also now able to hear my clients clearly, which has been very meaningful. In my role as a visitation assistant at the funeral home, attention to detail is essential — especially when supporting grieving families and this improvement has helped me better meet those expectations.”

Read more: https://www.neilsquire.ca/new-hearing-aids-help-linda-communicate-with-clients-in-sensitive-situations/

05/20/2026

David has worked as a certified educational assistant for a school district for 20 years. His job has him in constant communication with both students and staff, and working out of an office space that’s often busy with students, it can be particularly difficult for him to hear.

“[I have] nerve damage in both ears. My struggle for the past couple of years has been able to hear clearly when someone is trying to speak to me, either in-person or over the phone. I have been constantly asking for them to repeat what they are saying,” he shares. “The other thing was I was not picking up on certain tones and having to have them repeat or even write down what it is. It has been very frustrating.”

His audiologist referred him to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for help getting the hearing aids he needs for work. “The program was awesome in helping me fund the hearing aids I needed,” he explains.

The new hearing aids have made David’s job much easier. “[It’s] so much easier communicating with students and staff,” he says. “I can hear clearly when people speak to me and if I cannot make it out the first time I will pick up on the second time. I am not constantly asking to have the conversation repeated.”

Read more: https://www.neilsquire.ca/its-so-much-easier-communicating-with-students-and-staff/

05/14/2026

Admin Clerk Tina Fabbro and General Disability Practitioner/Regional Coordinator Michelle Cooper are on-site at the Black Press Events Nanaimo Career & Education Expo at Vancouver Island University until 3pm.

LocalWork Career Expos

05/13/2026

Cynthia is looking for work, in particular, a customer service or teaching role, or something else she can do from home. However, she faces many barriers that make finding employment more difficult. “I was diagnosed with a severely enlarged heart which leaves me very weak and arthritis in my low back, hips and legs. I have poor circulation and swelling in my lower legs and am in pain all the time,” she shares.

Her home office set-up — which consisted of a small sliding TV table and an old chair that couldn’t be adjusted much in her living room — exacerbated the pain. Cynthia’s WorkBC Centre referred her to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for help making her workspace more effective. Through Assistive Technology Services, she received an ergonomic assessment and equipment for her home office.

“I have received a desk which raises and lowers — I am able to work seated and standing. I was also given an ergonomic chair with all the proper back supports. My desk is equipped with a computer monitor on an arm and my laptop is on a stand bringing the screen up to a better height for viewing. I have a separate keyboard and wrist support and an ergonomic mouse that allows my hand to be positioned more naturally reducing stress on my wrist. Under my desk is a soft footrest that I use to raise my legs for periods throughout the day,” she says.

“I definitely would recommend the Assistive Technology Services program. The ladies who helped me at each stage of the process were great to work with. Prior to becoming disabled, I was self-employed working two physically demanding jobs. It has not been easy to change careers. The supports have been very helpful to me, making me feel like I can make this transition efficiently.”

Read more: https://www.neilsquire.ca/cynthias-home-office-accommodations-set-her-up-for-employment/

05/12/2026

Join us Thursday, May 21st at 12 pm PT for a virtual Lunch and Learn. Learn all about assistive technology, ergonomics, and the services available to people in BC who have work-related barriers due to a disability or functional limitation. Register: https://ow.ly/B0Ul50YYtrq

05/06/2026

Theresa works as a caregiver for a young adult with a disability, helping with personal care and daily tasks. She has hearing loss, which can make her job difficult.

She learned about WorkBC Assistive Technology Services from a friend and decided to apply for funding for the hearing aids she needs for work. “I received hearing aids that I never would have been able to afford,” she says.

Theresa has seen a big difference in her work, saying that it has “immensely” improved her ability to do her job. “When you are caring for someone who has limited energy, it is amazing the difference proper hearing makes,” she explains. “The stress level has gone down to basically none because I am able to hear requests easily and respond immediately.

“The Assistive Technology Services program is so empowering and life changing that I would be grateful for the opportunity to recommend it to someone else!”

Read more: https://www.neilsquire.ca/the-assistive-technology-services-program-is-so-empowering-and-life-changing/

05/04/2026

We're looking forward to attending the 14th Annual MOSAIC Job Fair on May 12th at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster.

💼 Discover exciting opportunities in government, public services, and community sectors! Join MOSAIC’s 14th Annual Job Fair on May 12 at Anvil Centre and connect with employers serving communities across BC!

📝 Register now: www.jobfair.mosaicbc.org

Sponsored by WorkBC Employment Services & FDU Vancouver.

04/29/2026

Jane works as a customer service associate for a home improvement retail store, assisting customers in-person, online, and over the phone. She has mild to moderate hearing loss, with lower hearing in higher tones, and with specific letter sounds.

“My work environment has a great deal of noise — machinery operating, multiple conversations in a close proximity to me, speaking on the phone, noisy product carts moving through and around my workstation,” she shares. “My hearing loss often required me to ask people to repeat what they said for clarity, or to speak louder or come closer to me.”

Her audiologist referred her to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for help getting the hearing aids she needs on the job. “I have received hearing aids, which the program was able to help to help me pay for. Program staff were very informative and helpful,” she says.

She’s already seen a big difference at work. “The hearing aids are able to reduce background sounds, help me focus on conversation, and clarify the sounds I struggle with,” she explains. “[They] have definitely improved my interactions with people in my work environment, which improves my confidence. I am more easily able to communicate.”

Read more: https://www.neilsquire.ca/i-am-more-easily-able-to-communicate-workbc-assistive-technology-services-helps-jane-at-work/

04/22/2026

Today, our Marketing Manager Nate Toevs was in Prince George for the annual job fair hosted by the Prince George Native Friendship Centre, PG Nechako Aboriginal Employment & Training Association, and WorkBC Centre - PG. Great opportunity to connect with local jobseekers and employers!