Eileen Velthuis News Editor The Adult Special Education department at DC is a place that few people know anything about, accord- ing to Bob Logelin, the centre’s coordinator. The centre offers programs to students with dis- abilities, teaching them skills which will enable them to find temporary or hopefully permanent employ- ment. The department offers four main programs. They are: Basic Occupational Education, Career and Employment Preparation Program for Adults with a Disability, Consumer and Job Preparation Program Worth Attention for Adults with Special Needs, and the New Directions program, for students with acquired brain injuries who would like to pursue post-sec- ondary education. They also have Transitions to Work, an employment training program, and com- prehensive programs such as the Customer Service and Cashier Training and Light Warehouse Training programs. Logelin says that some of the benefits the depart- ment can offer students are hands-on learning of industry-based skills at the students’ own learning pace, individualized attention, a continuous pro- gram intake, and partnerships with businesses. Some businesses have even said that if the department would train the students for them, they would hire them afterwards. “We've been approached by many organizations to do training for them, such as Wal-mart ... actively working with 300 employers at any given we're point in time,” he said. Daniela Pacheva, a coordinator with the Centre for Students with Disabilities, says that DC has a lot of different services for students, whether they are hard of hearing, visually impaired, or have other physical or neurological disorders. “Douglas has been recognized as one of the best places for services for students with disabilities,” she explained. The Centre also maintains the 527-JOBS line, where employers are matched with candidates. “82 per cent of grads are employed within three months after graduation,” Logelin said. “And 33 per cent are offered jobs before they even graduate.” According to Logelin, the Centre tries to focus on people's abilities and not their disabilities. “We support these people ... our ultimate goal is to make sure these folks move on into employment,” he said. Government Cuts Women’s Crisis Line Stats Say BC Still Has Highest Rate of Sexual fissaults Kathleen Deering The Ubyssey VANCOUVER (CUP)—On Janua BC government will no longer hour sexual assault crisis line oj Against Violence Against Wor Geraldine Glattstein, exe founder of WAVAW, rec tion of funding from thi and Solicitor General, was stunned that fund the service women for over ine staff. ewomen who will not e do police and lly.go out with ie cannot do is necessary for serves more than 2.1 (0 calls per month. BC ult rate in the country. men on average is a victim BC the average is 47 per- he Solicitor General, could not be ent by press time, and sent a June tom the Ministry of Public Safety and eral instead. In it he said the province 24 additional programs and a new crisis ne that would improve services for victims of crime throughout BC. But Glattstein said she has received little informa- _ tion about this new service. _ Through the few conversations she has had with the government, she said, she understands the serv- ice will come into effect April 1—leaving women without the help line for two and a half months. Glattstein is also concerned with the lack of com- « 9 Sus as We're strategizing, that the government will change line, but Gla immediate r munication between WAVAW and the government, she said, citing the difficulty she has had getting information about what services will be provided in place of WAVAW’s crisis line. “They have made all the changes without any kind of consultation with us,” she said. Glattstein said she will do anything in her power to keep the phone line open and continue providing services for women. “It might be the fight of our lives, but we’re ready for it,” she said. “We have a good cause and women are so upset—for the first time we had clients that came forward and spoke to the media, which is unheard of in survivors of sex assault.” Lisa Lafreniere, coordinator of WAVAW’s Young Women’s Project—a program to increase young women’s knowledge of sexual assault—wrote the first draft of a petition circulated by WAVAW repre- sentatives at the University of British Columbia. She said support for the petition has been very positive. “There are a lot of survivors [at the university] that are happy to sign the petition,” she said. Those who wish to sign the petition supporting the continued funding to WAVAW’s 24-hour crisis line can access it at page 3 ©