Wolastoqew carpentry training program retrofits toys for N.S. kids with disabilities

This week, Wolastoqew carpenters-in-training in New Brunswick began retrofitting 52 toys for kids with disabilities at the IWKHealth Centre in Halifax. The trainees are adding external accessiblesensors to the toys so people with mobility issues can still have fun.

The retrofitting includes rewiring and soldering itemslike the yellow Boppin' Beaver to include an external padded switch that triggers the toy's animation and sound.

Ethan Paul, one of the trainees, says they're happy tohelp.

"Nothing in the world beats seeing a kid smile and laugh, and it means the world to make another kid happy," saidPaul, 21.

He said he knows howimportant it is for kids to play and interact,so he's grateful to be part of the solution. Paulhas a one-and-a-half-year-old son himself, so he said it was important for him tobe involved.

Training on reserve

The carpenters-in-training are part of a 40-week apprenticeshipprogram through the Carpenters and Millwrights College of New Brunswick, and thetraining takes place in Pilick First Nation, about 15 kilometres west of Fredericton.

The program began in February and is part of the Workplace Essential Skills program in New Brunswick.Once they finishthe course, the15 participants can write their block onecarpenters exam.

Paulis one of two carpenters-in-trainingfrom Welamukotuk First Nation, about 39 km southeast of Pilick;the other 13 participants are allowedto train and learn in their communities.

Lloyd Dutcher, one of the carpentry instructors, says it'sa great group of guys. He said whenMakers Making Change, anorganization that partners with industryto develop accessible technology for people with disabilities, first approached the woodworkers,MMC just wantedhelp retrofitting the toys.

But the carpenters-in-trainingwanted to do more than just fix up the toys they raised $2,670 to pay for the toysand help pay for the adaptive switches, which are $40 a unit.

"That's what these guys are like they wanted to help out," said Dutcher.

'We're happy and proud'

The group built three picnic tables for a community raffle to help raise the funds for the toys. They had alreadybuilt garden boxes for elders and helped constructwalkways andramps.

Brent Sacobie, 31, says trainees arealways willingto help their community.

He says helikescarpentry work because he gets to point out the stuff he worked on to other people and takes pride in it. Sacobiealso says working with his handshelps keep him grounded.

He was grateful to help kids at theIWKHealth Centrebecause members of his family have needed care there before.

"We're happy and proud to be a part of it it's huge to alter these toys for the kids," said Sacobie.

Alex Atwin,another community member, hopes the carpentry program grows to other reserves. He's looking forward to taking what he has learned and helping to build even biggerthings inPilick First Nation.

"I love giving back to my community," said Atwin.

The 40-week course is set to wrap up in December. As for the toys, once they're all retrofitted, kids and their families atthe IWKHealth Centrewill get a toy as well as a card with a group picture of the men who worked on the toys.