A legacy of accessible learning at NIC

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North Island College’s Accessible Education and Training (AET) program supports students with diverse abilities in developing the skills and confidence needed to pursue employment, independence and lifelong learning. What began as a small program offering has grown into a vital part of NIC’s commitment to inclusive and responsive education. 

AET programs help students build a range of personal and professional skills, from communication and customer service to self-advocacy and industry-specific training. These skills prepare them for employment, volunteer roles or continued studies at NIC. 

The program’s roots trace back to 1989, when faculty member Sheila Doncaster joined NIC, and with support from her colleagues, began building a foundation of accessible learning from the ground up. “Over time, I realized I had a part to play that could make a difference in the lives of students who may not have dreamed of being at post-secondary,” she reflects. 

In 1990, the Ministry of Advanced Education funded a new Transition Coordinator role to help secondary school students with disabilities transition to NIC. Since then, the program has grown with the college and introduced a wide range of learning opportunities, including courses in horticulture, cooking, daycare assistance and small business planning. Through these programs and others, many students found meaningful employment, including jobs at NIC in groundskeeping, paper recycling and campus services.  

“NIC is doing important work in the area of accessibility to ensure our campus facilities and services provide a welcoming, inclusive learning and working environment for our students, employees and other members of the college community,” says Ken Crewe, Associate Vice President, People, Equity and Inclusion. 

As we celebrate NIC’s 50th anniversary, the AET program shines as a lasting example of what it means to listen, adapt and grow alongside the needs of the students and communities the college serves.