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Starting with a move to a hosted service on June 24th, 2008, Ability Online is gearing up for some major changes!
Over the next several months we will be working to build a brand new website with much more fun and functionality. We have been lucky to have attracted a company that builds and maintains web sites for a living, that's their business. The company is Momentum Advanced Solutions and you can find them at www.momentum.com.
Our members are letting us know the great things they would like to see online in order to enhance the things they already love. When we re-launch the new site, students should be able to "rock" to their homework with the addition of a music button and to have live tutorial sessions with our awesome e-tutors. You will still be able to message with all your friends, but we hope to add a better chat program and instant messaging! And wait 'til you see what we do with the games section!
If you have any ideas for our new site please send them to michelle@abilityonline.org and we'll see what we can do! Also, if you want to test any of the new features as we work on them, send Michelle your name - but you must be a member of Ability Online to work on this team.
Stay tuned for regular updates!
Ability Online’s “Ask Anything Homework Guide” wins Showcase Ontario awardsAbility Online, a free online friendship and skill development network for children and young adults with disabilities and chronic illness, recently won a 2007 Ontario Showcase Merit Award and the prestigious Diamond Award of Excellence for its Ask Anything Homework Guide technology initiative. Showcase Ontario is the largest public sector information technology education event in Canada and attracts participants from across Canada to learn how to serve citizens better through the use of information technology.
The Ask Anything Homework Guide helps children from Grade 4-12 succeed in school by connecting them to volunteer e-tutors who can answer online questions on such topics as English, math and science. Ability Online members also have access to material commonly used in special education classroom including study tips and other related materials.
The Showcase Ontario Voluntary Sector IT Awards are presented annually to recognize the best and brightest voluntary sector technology initiatives from within the province. In particular, the Award features information technology projects that enhance the effectiveness and impact of non-profit and charitable organizations. The truly exceptional are chosen for a Merit Award and even fewer for the esteemed Diamond Award of Excellence.
“We are honoured and delighted to be awarded the prestigious Showcase Ontario Merit Award and Diamond Award of Excellence for 2007,” says Michelle McClure, Director of Program Development and Member Services, Ability Online. “To be recognized for our Ask Anything Homework Guide initiative is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers and corporate partners – without whom none of this would be possible. The success of the Ask Anything initiative is a reflection of our business goal – connecting young people with disabilities with technology.”
Formed in 1991 as a small online bulletin board, Ability Online today represents a vibrant Web-based network with members from around the world, and a place where young people with disabilities and illnesses, and their parents and caregivers, can meet others like them to share hopes, fears, dreams and experiences. It offers a place where people can be themselves, without fear of being judged or bullied.
For more information, or to offer support for Ability Online and its programs, please visit www.abilityonline.org.
About Ability Online
Ability Online is a registered charity that provides a national online friendship network with global reach for children and youth with disabilities or illness, as well as their friends and family, caregivers, and related health professionals. The program provides 24/7 access to a secure, monitored and bully-free online environment that promotes the well-being of its members. In addition to online support, we also provide opportunities for information sharing, skill development and peer mentorship. Membership is open to anyone, and is free of charge. Ability Online currently has 3400 active members sharing experiences and finding support through the power of the keyboard.
Media contact:
Michelle McClure, Director of Program Development and Member Services
Phone: (416) 650-6207
Mobile: (416) 464-7170
Email: michelle.mcclure@ablelink.org
This year, Ability Online was selected as a finalist in the Leonardo Da Vinci awards for innovation and creativity. The awards are given annually to recognize and celebrate those organizations that have created new, useful and positive inventions, developments or improvements to reach new dimensions of performance in Arts, Business, Community, Entrepreneurship and Education. The award ceremony was a part of Creativity Day which celebrates the unlimited creative potential in all of us.
Check out a video compilation about the awards finalists including Ability Online @ YouTube
If you would like more information about Ability Online or our work to receive the Leonardo Da Vinci award nomination please contact us at information@abilityonline.org.
Ability Online holds its annual Recognition Evening and welcomes two new Patrons to the organization
Ability Online, a free online friendship and skill development network for children and young adults with disabilities and chronic illness, tonight celebrates its 15th year of incorporation and hosts its annual Recognition Evening. The organization will also formally introduce its "Ask Anything" Homework Guide program.
Formed in 1991 as a small online bulletin board, Ability Online is today a vibrant Web-based network with members from around the world, and a place where young people with disabilities and illnesses, and their parents and caregivers, can meet others like them to share hopes, fears, dreams and experiences. It offers a place where people can be themselves, without fear of being judged or bullied.
“This is a celebration year for us at Ability Online. We have re-designed our Web site and introduced two new programs for our members,” said Elizabeth O’Neil, Managing Director for Ability Online. “Tonight, we celebrate our 15th year, and also recognize the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, patrons and corporate partners – without whom none of this would be possible.”
Tonight, the following Ability Online volunteers are being recognized for 10 years of service: Sarah Evans, Mike Grimaldi, Ward Kennedy, Will Mackenzie, Nancy Maxwell, and Megan Ware and volunteer Gord Campbell will be recognized for 15 years of service. As well, Ability Online salutes its patrons: Dr. Douglas Biggar, Johnny Bower, Ron Ellis, Audrey King, Silken Laumann, Dr. Arlette Lefebvre, Cynthia Preston, Ann Rohmer, and Tonya Rouse. In addition, the organization will induct two new patrons: City TV’s David Onley and Peel Regional Police Chief Michael Metcalf.
Also featured at tonight’s event is the formal introduction to Ability Online’s new "Ask Anything" Homework Guide program. Speakers from the Blog Squad, members of the Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School in Scarborough who have served as program testers, will share their experiences and what the program offers. The new program will provide members with homework help with the aid of tutor volunteers from Mentor College in Mississauga.
For more information, or to offer support for Ability Online and its programs, please visit www.abilityonline.org.
About Ability Online
Ability Online is a registered charity that provides a national online friendship network with global reach for children and youth with disabilities or illness, as well as their friends and family, caregivers, and related health professionals. The program provides 24/7 access to a protected, monitored and bully-free online environment that promotes the well-being of its members. In addition to online support, we also provide opportunities for information sharing, skill development and peer mentorship. Membership is open to anyone, and is free of charge. Ability Online currently has 3,300 active members sharing experiences and finding support through the power of the keyboard.
Media contact:
In this issue of our newsletter, you can read a job-search success story from one of our members and learn more about our fabulous community partnerships. Lots of great things happening, so please click below and "read all about it"!
High Road’s passion for helping children and tech PR expertise provides non-profit Ability Online with support to increase awareness of Web portal for disable youth
High Road Communications today announced that it will be working with non-profit organization Ability Online to promote the cause of empowering children through technology. Ability Online is a free and monitored online support community that connects children with disabilities or illnesses in a protected Web-based environment. High Road will provide Ability Online with public relations expertise, project support and strategic counsel to help raise awareness amongst potential users and a broader Canadian audience.
The mandate of Ability Online is to connect young people with disabilities – and also their family and friends – through technology, which makes partnering with High Road Communications a natural fit. In a password-protected, Web-based environment, Ability Online offers monitored topical discussion threads, email and chat facilities, and activities where kids can come together and simply be kids. For members who are ready, Ability Online also provides learning modules and access to homework tutors and job coaching experts, as well as private communities to off-line support groups, which are particularly helpful for organizations whose outpatients are restricted by geographical barriers. High Road consists of a passionate team of communicators and strategists who understand the power of technology and the media, and will use their skills to highlight the important work of Ability Online.
“We are honoured and excited to be part of High Road Communications corporate responsibility program,” said Elizabeth O’Neil, Managing Director of Ability Online. “We know from High Road’s reputation that we can expect amazing results.”
As the focus of its Corporate Responsibility Initiative, High Road Communications will work on building media relations and generating coverage through various initiatives, including issuing press releases for major Ability Online programs, helping develop a new web site and promoting inspirational personal stories from its members. High Road employees will also directly be involved with the site members through volunteer activities to provide social support.
“Ability Online allows High Road Communications to do what we do best: communicating about the benefits of technology. Ability Online is a charitable organization that the entire High Road team is excited about and where we actively use our expertise to help children,” said Mia Wedgbury, President and Co-founder, High Road Communications. “We will, so they can.”
About High Road Communications
High Road Communications is an award-winning public relations firm serving technology and digital lifestyle companies across North America from offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver. Since 1996, High Road has helped clients drive awareness, credibility and sales worldwide through customized communications programs. The agency’s expertise is channelled into six practice groups: Consumer Technologies; Hardware, Display & Design; Industries & Verticals; Interactive Entertainment; Software, Services & Security; and Telecom, Networking & Wireless. High Road is ranked as the No. 2 small and medium employer in Canada by Queen’s School of Business and Queen’s Centre for Business Venturing. For more information, please visit www.highroad.com.
About Ability Online
Ability Online is a registered charity that provides a national online friendship network with global reach for children and youth with disabilities or illness, as well as their friends and family, caregivers, and related health professionals. The program provides 24/7 access to a protected, monitored and bully-free online environment that promotes the well-being of its members. In addition to online support, we also provide opportunities for information sharing, skill development and peer mentorship. Membership is open to anyone, and is free of charge. Ability Online currently has 3,300 active members sharing experiences and finding support through the power of the keyboard. For more information, please visit www.abilityonline.org.
Media contact:
Mia Wedgbury
President and Co-founder
High Road Communications
Phone: 416.644.2282
Email: mwedgebury@highroad.com
Michelle McClure
Director of Program Development and Member Services
Ability Online
Phone: 416.650.6207
Email: michelle.mcclure@ablelink.org
Job Readiness program provides participants with access to Human Resources professionals and experienced mentors in a protected, welcoming environment
Ability Online, a free online friendship and skill development network for children and young adults with disabilities and chronic illness, is launching a new Job Readiness program to help members prepare for the workplace. The program is designed to guide participants through the job-search process step by step – from analyzing skills and work interests, to building a resume and approaching prospective employers.
Ability Online is an Internet community where young people with disabilities and illnesses, and their parents and caregivers, can meet others like them to share hopes, fears, dreams and experiences. It offers a place where people can be themselves, without fear of being judged or bullied.
Begun in 1991 as a small online bulletin board, today Ability Online is a vibrant Web-based network with members from around the world. The Job Readiness program is a new initiative that expands the services Ability Online offers its members.
“Everyone wants the opportunity to use their skills to make a difference – no matter what their ability,” said Michelle McClure, Director of Program Development and Member Services for Ability Online. “Our goal with the Job Readiness program is to provide the coaching and support our members need to find meaningful work in a welcoming environment that is geared to their needs.”
The Job Readiness program on the recently revamped Ability Online web site will be the home base for the program. Members, their parents and caregivers will have online access to Human Resources specialists and other experienced mentors, who will guide them in finding work opportunities and presenting their skills to prospective employers.
“Companies across Canada are seeking bright, committed employees, and many of our Abilities Online members have skill sets that are in-demand. Often the only thing holding them back from mainstream employment is fear of acceptance,” said Pat Bibb, a Human Resources consultant with Hay Group and an Ability Online volunteer. “The job readiness program will help them put their best foot forward, and will also match up job seekers with companies that are open to employees with special needs.”
The Job Readiness program and all other Ability Online programs are available free of charge to site members who register at www.abilityonline.org.
About Ability Online
Ability Online is a registered charity that provides a national online friendship network with global reach for children and youth with disabilities or illness, as well as their friends and family, caregivers, and related health professionals. The program provides 24/7 access to a secure, monitored and bully-free online environment that promotes the well-being of its members. In addition to online support, we also provide opportunities for information sharing, skill development and peer mentorship. Membership is open to anyone, and is free of charge. Ability Online currently has 3,300 active members sharing experiences and finding support through the power of the keyboard. For more information, please visit www.abilityonline.org.
Media contact:
Michelle McClure, Director of Program Development and Member Services
Phone: (416) 650-6207
Email: michelle.mcclure@ablelink.org
