One important part of accessibility work at RRC Polytech is the Accessibility Community of Practice.

Andrea Ardiles (Instructional Designer) and Erica Ament (Assistive Technologist) play a key role in this work. They co-lead the Accessibility Garden, a Community of Practice. The affectionate name of “Accessibility Garden” was chosen to emphasize the intent of growing awareness and skills around accessibility and accessible design.

Each month, they host sessions on topics such as:

• Digital accessibility such as in Office 365 and LEARN
• Tools to support creation of accessible materials
• Assistive technology tools such as Read&Write
• Accessible virtual meetings
• Inclusive design practices

These sessions give employees a space to ask questions, share challenges, and learn from each other. For many participants, especially those new to accessibility, the Accessibility Garden is a helpful place to learn.

Andrea and Erica have presented on Accessibility at RED Forum, together and individually. They also collaborate with the Diversity Team on the Accessibility Quick Tips for staff, launched in 2024. These monthly tips share simple ways to improve accessibility in everyday work. Topics include accessible documents, training, and inclusive meetings.

Erica also authors the “Tech Tips: Work Smarter, Not Harder” blog, where she focuses on boosting academic and workplace efficiency by showcasing practical strategies and accessible technologies available to all students and employees—including tools in MS Office, Windows, and Read&Write. She also regularly highlights accessibility features, such as captioning, that benefit the entire campus community, not just individuals with disabilities.

Andrea has delivered training for staff and instructors on how to create accessible materials. Andrea runs the ‘Foundations in Digital Accessibility’ workshop series, which has shown to teach accessibility practices in an encouraging and approachable way. You can catch her live at her upcoming RED Forum session ‘Course Material Tune-Up: An Accessibility Repair Session’.

Together, their efforts help build a stronger culture of accessibility across RRC Polytech.

Thank you, Andrea and Erica, for your ongoing leadership in supporting accessibility awareness and learning across the college!

Over the past year, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) has advanced several key initiatives to strengthen accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, staff, and community members across RRC Polytech. A central focus has been improving access to information by adding ASL videos to the DHHS webpage and other institutional materials. Providing information in multiple formats—particularly in ASL—ensures that Deaf students can access important content directly in their preferred language. This work reflects a broader commitment to reducing communication barriers and supporting equitable participation across the College community.

To further enhance digital accessibility, the DHHS manager and interpreting team have advocated for an embedded ASL window rather than directing users to a separate ASL link. This integrated approach aligns with best practices and ensures that ASL access is visible and equitable. In line with AMA requirements, DHHS also continues to ensure that closed captions are added to all posted videos, supporting a wide range of individuals who benefit from text‑based access.

Beyond digital content, DHHS has strengthened campus-wide accessibility practices by working to ensure that any College‑hosted event open to the public as well as College events and activities, are automatically staffed with interpreters whenever possible. This shifts the responsibility for accessibility away from Deaf and Hard of Hearing participants and places it appropriately with the institution. It also reinforces the principle that accessibility is a shared campus responsibility—not something that rests solely within one department.

Much of the work that supports equitable access happens behind the scenes: coordinating interpreting services, communicating with faculty and RRC Polytech staff, planning accommodations, advocating for access and equity, building campus-wide understanding of our legal obligations related to accessibility and ensuring that information is shared in accessible formats. These everyday efforts play a critical role in enabling students and Deaf faculty and staff to fully participate in academic and campus life.

DHHS is also streamlining the accessibility feedback process, making it easier for Deaf and non‑Deaf consumers to share experiences, request information, or identify barriers directly with DHHS. This feedback can be provided in written form or in ASL.  This demonstrates an ongoing commitment to inclusion, responsiveness, and continuous improvement in the services we provide.

Collectively, these initiatives reflect RRC Polytech’s core values of inclusion, community, student success, and removing barriers to education and in the workplace. By expanding ASL access, strengthening communication equity, and embedding accessibility into institutional practices, DHHS continues to help create environments where ASL users can participate meaningfully, feel a sense of belonging, and access opportunities more equitably.

A special thank you to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) team: Jill Patterson, Sheryl LaVallee, Lauri Van-Heyst, Arleen An, Shannon Graham, Chad Kroeker, Alanna Iftody, and Mariette Koop, for your ongoing work and advocacy.

With another Manitoba winter behind us, it is a good time to recognize the Groundskeeping team for the important work they do behind the scenes to keep campus safe and accessible.

During winter months, the Groundskeeping team often begins work as early as 2:00 a.m. to clear snow from parking lots, roads, entrances, sidewalks, and ramps before students, staff, and visitors arrive on campus.

Once snow is cleared, the team quickly shifts to ice maintenance, spreading sand and grit in areas where icy conditions may create safety concerns.

As weather shifts throughout the day, the team continues to monitor campus conditions and respond to ongoing freeze-thaw cycles to help prevent barriers before they happen.

Their work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact is felt across campus every day.

A big shoutout to the Groundskeeping team: Chuck Harris, Kevin Kruse, Ryan Skelton, Brady Barron, Derek Berry, and Bryan Haswell, for the important work you do to help keep our campus safe and accessible.

As our student population becomes more diverse, creating inclusive learning environments that support every learner is more important than ever.

At RRC Polytech, Organizational Development’s Faculty Development Consultant, Claudius Soodeen, plays an important role in helping instructors build classrooms where all students can succeed. He supports instructors in strengthening their communication, improving course design, and enhancing teaching practices.

This work is grounded in collaboration with internal and external experts, including people with lived experience of disability and neurodiversity, to ensure learning reflects real needs and perspectives.

Through practical, hands-on learning opportunities, instructors are building skills that help reduce barriers and create more accessible classrooms for all students.

Some of the key sessions include:

• Designing Neurodiversity-Affirming Learning Environments, a collaboration with researcher-practitioners with lived experience of disability
• Plain Language Writing (with and without AI), facilitated by Janine Bucklaschuk and Jake Carewick
• Foundations in Digital Accessibility, facilitated by Andrea Ardiles

You can read more about these sessions in Staff Forum.

A big thank you to Claudius and his collaborators, for helping build more inclusive classrooms and improving learning experiences across RRC Polytech.

In April, students shared their experiences with accessibility at RRC Polytech. Their stories highlight how support, advocacy, and inclusive design can make a meaningful difference.

“My family and close friends are part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I love and am proud of them. In 2024, I reached a turning point when I started participating in Pride activities and learning from the experiences of those around me. Since then, Pride Month has become a personal awakening, inspiring me to actively support my friends and family, show up for and walk alongside the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and continue learning from the people I care about.”

“Participating in the Winnipeg Pride Parade with the RRC Polytech community always reminds me why I’m proud to work here – because we show up for one another and create spaces where people feel safe and supported. In recent years, being able to bring my young children along has made it especially meaningful, giving us the chance to talk about allyship, belonging, and the power of community.”

“June 2024 was my first Pride. I arrived in Canada in December 2023. I had traveled to fifteen countries, but nowhere had I felt free enough to wave a rainbow flag and stand fully in my truth.

In front of the RRC Polytech float, with the flag in my hands and the sun above me, something shifted. Years of fear, silence, and self-doubt gave way to a profound sense of freedom. For the first time, I was not hiding. I was celebrating the person I had always been.

That experience captures more than a joyful moment. It marks the day I chose authenticity over fear. After all the places I had visited, the greatest journey was finding the courage to come home to myself.”

“Yes—there’s a moment that’s stayed with me since the last Pride Parade. It was when a wave of cheers rolled through the street and strangers started smiling at one another like we’d known each other for years. I remember the rainbow flags catching the light, the music pulsing, and people along the route reaching out for high-fives and hugs—little gestures that felt unexpectedly powerful. In that instant, it wasn’t just a celebration; it felt like a shared promise that everyone belonged exactly as they are. That sense of connection and affirmation is the exact reason I keep coming back to the Pride Parade.”

“Last year, my family and I attended the Pride Parade for the first time together. My kids were excited about all the rainbows and stickers, though I also wanted to explain what Pride was about in a way they’d understand. I remember telling my then-4-year-old daughter that it was important to celebrate Pride because everyone should be free to love who they want to love, and she just looked at me and said, “I know, Mommy!” like it was the most simple thing in the world. Because, it is.”

“Joyful visibility! It is always important to be visible in queer joy, doubly so in these times when 2SLGBTQIA+ rights are under attack; to show the world that we are here, always have been and always will be. It is also a message of love to queer folx who are struggling and/or unable to be out; it says that they are not alone, they are perfect and whenever they’re ready, there is a big community waiting to welcome them.”

“Showing up at Pride is deeply personal to me because it represents a journey I once never thought I could fully live. Before moving to Canada, I was closeted in Brazil and often afraid to fully express my sexuality, personality, and authentic self. Volunteering as Marketing Director and serving on the board of Pride Winnipeg became a full-circle experience: it gave me the opportunity not only to embrace who I am openly, but also to help create spaces where others could feel seen, celebrated, and safe to do the same. Being part of the RRC Polytech Pride Parade reminds me how powerful visibility, community, and belonging can be.”

“Attending Pride is personally important to me because I bring my children each year to model acceptance, celebrate diversity, and show them that our family stands for inclusion and belonging. It’s also an opportunity to demonstrate my commitment to accepting them as their authentic selves and for them to know that they can be who they are, as they are, and they will also feel loved and supported by my husband and me.”

March alongside students, staff, and allies with the RRC Polytech Pride float to show your support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

• Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026
• Rally: 10:00 a.m. at the Manitoba Legislative Grounds
• Parade: begins shortly after 11:00 a.m.

Participants are encouraged to re-wear last year’s bright yellow Pride shirts as part of sustainability efforts. A limited number of new shirts will also be available.

Register today to reserve your shirts and let us know you’ll be walking with us!

Be part of the first-ever Pembina Valley Pride celebration! RRC Polytech’s Winkler Campus will host a booth with games and giveaways, connecting with the local community.

• Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026,
• Location: Triple E Mainstage, 1201 Grandeur Avenue, Winkler, MB
• Rally: 12:00 p.m. at RRC Polytech’s booth
• March: begins shortly after 1:00 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to re-wear last year’s bright yellow Pride shirts as part of sustainability efforts.

Experience the moving story of ‘Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance’, followed by a short, guided discussion.

• Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
• Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m.
• Location: Room 120, Steinbach Campus – 385 Loewen Blvd, Steinbach, MB, R5G 0B3
• Registration: Space is limited. Please email steinbach@rrc.ca with your name and contact information by June 1, 2026.

Join Portage Campus in partnership with Portage la Prairie Pride for a Pride Walk. The campus will serve as a safe meeting space to launch the walk.

• Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
• Please follow Pride Portage la Prairie | Facebook for event details.

“Growing up in Kerala, India, Onam was always one of the happiest times of the year for me. It meant being around family, making pookalam (flower designs), wearing traditional clothes, sharing meals, and just enjoying that feeling of togetherness. Even here in Canada, I try to celebrate it with friends and the Malayali community, which makes it feel a little closer to home. It’s a reminder of where I come from and helps me hold on to that sense of belonging, even while living in Winnipeg.”

“There are many things I continue to carry with me since moving to Canada in 2005. Among them is the way we regularly hold family gatherings that extend beyond blood relationships. The people I met from my very first days here are still the same people I celebrate with during events and parties. I am also caring for my 79-year-old mother, who moved to Canada about ten years ago. Caring for elderly parents is a value deeply rooted in our culture, and it is something I intend to pass on to my children and future generations. We place a high value on believing in God and honoring Him as Catholics, and we help others in need – whether the support is financial or simply being present for them.”

“A value I carry from my Vietnamese heritage is the deep responsibility to support the people around me. In my culture, helping others is more than a kind gesture. It is a way of showing respect and staying connected as a community. Here in Canada, I continue this tradition by volunteering and offering support to newcomers and peers. This value keeps me grounded and reminds me of the community that shaped who I am.”

“One thing I carry with me from my Punjabi heritage is the language itself. Punjabi is warm, expressive, and full of feeling in a way no other language really matches for me. It’s how I stay connected to family back home, how I laugh with friends here, and even how I think to myself or pray in quiet moments.

There’s something really grounding about a language that holds your childhood memories, your first expressions of love, and your sense of who you are all at once. I try to keep it alive by speaking it whenever I can, listening to Punjabi music when I miss home, and appreciating that even in Winnipeg, it stays with me, a reminder of where I come from.”

“One thing I carry with me from my Filipino heritage is karaoke, especially during birthdays and Christmas. Growing up, karaoke was always part of our celebrations. It did not matter how you sang, as long as everyone was having fun. Even here in Canada, I still enjoy doing karaoke with friends because it reminds me of home and brings people together. It’s a simple way I keep that fun, welcoming Filipino spirit alive.”

“Being born and raised in Abu Dhabi in an Indian family, I grew up influenced by both Indian traditions at home and the diverse Middle Eastern culture around me. This blend of culture shaped my identity and taught me to be adaptable, open-minded, and comfortable in multicultural spaces from a young age. Moving to Canada, that experience has helped me settle in more easily and connect with people from different backgrounds while still staying rooted in where I come from.”

“One thing I carry with me from my Chinese heritage is the celebration of the Lunar New Year. It represents family reunion, hope, and new beginnings. Growing up, it meant cleaning the house, preparing special dishes, giving red envelopes, and staying up late with family. Even though I am in Canada now, I still try to keep parts of this tradition alive, whether by cooking traditional food or calling family overseas. Sometimes I also celebrate with friends here, sharing meals and stories. For me, Lunar New Year is a reminder that even across distance, family and tradition continue to stay present in my life.”

“I come from a Christian family in Kerala, India, where Holy Week is a deeply meaningful and sacred time for us. During this week, we prepare traditional foods like Pesaha appam, Inri appam (a traditional unleavened bread) and a special sweet milk dish – recipes passed down through generations and rooted in the remembrance of Jesus Last Supper. In my family, this meal is traditionally served by the elder male members and shared together as a symbol of unity, faith, and love. What makes it even more special is that we don’t keep it within our home – we share it with friends and neighbours as part of the celebration. Even in Canada, I continue this tradition every year, cooking and sharing it with my family and friends, keeping my heritage alive across borders.”

“I carry ‘bayanihan’ with me into every space I enter. This is a Filipino value rooted in shared burdens, quiet generosity, and the kind of unity that asks nothing in return. It’s how I was raised. In a family shaped by public service, showing up for others wasn’t a choice; it was instinct. I learned early how to read a room, to ease tension, to reach across divides and build something whole out of what felt disconnected.

When I came to Canada, I felt the weight of the distance between people, the silos, the quiet separation. It didn’t sit right with me. So, I chose to step forward, again and again, into spaces where connection felt missing. I placed myself where I could listen, hold space, and bring people together, not loudly, but intentionally. Because I believe community isn’t something we find; it’s something we create. And wherever I go, I try to leave that light behind.”

“Celebrating Tet is a cornerstone of my Chinese-Vietnamese heritage that I am passionate about passing down to my children. Beyond the festive decorations, traditional meals, and the beauty of our cultural clothing, it is a time for us to honour our ancestors and reflect on the values of gratitude and family unity. I love seeing my children’s excitement over receiving red envelopes (filled with money!), as exposing my them to these customs helps them build a strong sense of identity and pride in their background. It ensures that our cultural history remains a living, joyful part of their lives in Canada. It is important to me that they carry these lessons of respect and celebration into their own lives as they grow.”

“Something meaningful that I carry with me as a Filipino living in Canada is the joy and spirit of Filipino gatherings, especially during birthdays and holidays. In our Filipino culture, celebrations are never just about the occasion, they’re about bringing people together, sharing food, laughter and creating a warm welcoming space for everyone. Even being far from the Philippines, I keep this tradition alive by hosting gatherings with family and friends, preparing familiar dishes, and making sure that no one leaves without feeling included and cared for. Whether it’s a simple get together or a bigger holiday like Christmas, I try to recreate that same lively and heartfelt atmosphere I grew up with and I make sure that my kids will experience the same joy. It’s my way of holding on to my roots and passing on the joy of Filipino culture, even while building a life here in Canada. These celebrations remind me of the importance of connection and gratitude and one of many ways to teach my kids.”

“One tradition I carry with me from Sri Lanka is the celebration of Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which marks a time of renewal, gratitude, and togetherness. Growing up, this celebration meant preparing traditional foods, wearing new clothes, and spending time with family and neighbors. Even in Canada, I try to honour the New Year by cooking traditional dishes and taking a moment to reflect and reset. Celebrating this tradition helps me stay connected to both my culture and the values of harmony and community.”

“I carry with me the Chinese belief that “reading ten thousand books is not as valuable as traveling ten thousand miles.” Whenever I enter a new environment, I prefer to observe, experience, and learn how people live before expressing my opinions. To me, respecting a culture means first understanding its daily rhythms, unspoken norms, and ways of life rather than speaking too quickly. This approach may sometimes make me seem quiet or reserved, but it comes from a place of humility and a desire to learn deeply. I keep this value alive by staying curious, observing carefully, and appreciating the human and cultural details that cannot be found in books.

We may seem quiet at first, but if we go out for a chat or a meal, you’ll soon discover how talkative and friendly we can be.”

“One of the most meaningful parts of my heritage from Punjab, India is the tradition of langar- a communal meal where everyone sits side by side, regardless of status, and shares the same food. It embodies humility, equality, and quiet generosity, values that have shaped how I see the world. Living in Canada, I carry this forward by cooking Punjabi meals, inviting friends to gather, and creating spaces where people feel welcomed and included. In those moments of sharing, I’m reminded that home isn’t just a place, it’s something you build through connection, wherever you are.”

“There is a word in the Filipino language that has no direct English translation, yet carries profound meaning: bayanihan. It embodies the spirit of community, unity, and shared purpose. People coming together to help one another, especially in times of need, without expecting anything in return. It is both an act of kindness and a reflection of collective strength. More than a tradition, it is at the very core of what it means to be Filipino, a value that lives within us all, no matter where we are in the world.”

“I carry with me the language and the traditions of my home, which can be understood in the lens of Kapwa Psychology. Learning and re-learning the Filipino language (1987 Constitution), we see that language shapes us and our views of the world. Kapwa, as a value, emphasizes the need for community and connection, and it is the reason why I invite fellow Filipinos to reconnect with our culture. We have a shared identity and we are stronger when we foster deep empathy and cohesion within our community.”

“My Asian heritage has given me three things I carry with me every day in Canada: courage, perseverance, and hard work. These values come from my family and from growing up in India, where I learned that no matter where you go in the world, you thrive when you remember who you are. They remind me to stay grounded, to keep moving forward, and to honour the sacrifices that brought me here. I keep these values alive through my work, my community involvement, and the way I show up for others. For me, they are a constant reminder that identity is not something you leave behind – it’s something you carry with pride.”

“Chinese heritage in Canada dates back to 1788, when a group of Chinese workers came to British Columbia to help build a trading post. In 1858, the first Chinese community was established. Beginning in 1880, many Chinese labourers helped build the Canadian Pacific Railway. However, Chinese people were the only group in Canadian history to be subjected to an ‘entry’ or ‘head’ tax, beginning in 1885. The Chinese Exclusion Act was enacted in 1923 and remained in effect until it was repealed in 1947. Personally, working with my former boss, MLA Chen, to witness the passing of Manitoba’s Asian Heritage Act means a great deal to me and will remain a cherished memory forever.

For me, connecting with the traces of my ancestors’ lives and hard work, celebrating Lunar New Year gatherings, eating dumplings, giving red envelopes as blessings, visiting historic cultural centres and old Chinese restaurants in Chinatowns across Canadian cities, and remembering the spirit of enduring hardship, perseverance, and quiet dedication all remind me of my parents and relatives far away in Asia.”

“One thing I carry with me from my Chinese heritage is the deep bond and warmth of family relationships, which I find truly priceless. No matter whether I am in my home country or here in Canada, I want to preserve and pass down this sense of connection and togetherness. In my daily life, I keep this alive by having regular video calls with my family back home and creating a cozy, welcoming atmosphere for friends here. For me, carrying this value helps me build a warm “home away from home” in Canada.”

“I’m from Shandong, China. During the Spring Festival, we prepare a lot of dishes and eat dumplings.”

“I come from Xinchang, Zhejiang Province, China. Xinchang is a small city with a long history, beautiful mountains, and many traditional foods. Since I came to Canada, I have thought more about my cultural background and the traditions that are important to me. Although I am living in a different country now, I have still kept many parts of my Asian heritage in my daily life.

One special part of my hometown culture is the traditional food. When I was young, my family often made taro dumplings during festivals and family gatherings. These dumplings were different from regular dumplings because the wrapper was made from taro instead of flour. They had a soft texture and a unique flavor. My hometown is also famous for rice cakes made from fresh rice. In the past, my grandparents sometimes made these rice cakes by hand, and I watched them carefully when I was a child. These foods were not only delicious, but they also connected our family together.

Another important place in Xinchang is the Big Buddha Temple. Many local people have visited this temple for generations. I visited it several times with my family when I was younger. The temple has a peaceful atmosphere, and it represents part of our local history and culture. Xinchang is also famous for Chuanyan Shijiufeng, which is a beautiful mountain area. During the Double Ninth Festival, people traditionally climbed mountains to enjoy distant views and wish for good fortune. When I was young, my family sometimes went hiking there together during the festival holidays. We climbed to high places and looked far into the distance, which made us feel peaceful and connected to nature.

Since I have come to Canada, I have experienced a multicultural environment. People from many countries live here, and everyone has different traditions, languages, and foods. I think this diversity is very meaningful because people can learn from each other and respect different cultures. At the same time, living in Canada has made me value my own culture even more.

Even though I am far away from my hometown now, I have continued to keep some Chinese traditions in my life. I still cook Chinese food, celebrate traditional festivals, and share stories about my hometown with other people. Food has become an emotional connection between me and my family. When I cook the dishes that I ate in Zhejiang, I remember my childhood and the time I spent with my family. These traditions have helped me feel connected to my roots while adapting to life in Canada.

I believe cultural heritage is important because it reminds people where they come from. In the future, I hope I can continue to share my culture with others and keep these traditions in my life.”

“One thing I carry with me from my country is the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is very meaningful to me. On this special day, my family and I usually buy barbecue ingredients and sweet mooncakes to celebrate together. Having a barbecue during the Mid-Autumn Festival has become a common tradition among Taiwanese people. What makes this festival special is the atmosphere. If you drive around the neighborhood that evening, you can smell barbecue coming from almost every house. The entire city feels warm, lively, and full of happiness. This tradition reminds me of home and brings back many childhood memories.”

“One meaningful part of my Asian heritage that I keep in Canada is the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year. It is the most important traditional celebration for my family, standing for reunion, joy and good wishes. Even far away from my hometown, we still stick to old traditions. We make dumplings together, hang Spring Festival couplets and have a big family dinner on New Year’s Eve. When the Spring Festival arrives, we will receive many red envelopes which filled with lucky money from our elders. I love carrying on these customs because they bring me warmth and a sense of belonging no matter where I live.”

“One meaningful part of my Viet Nam heritage that I carry with me is the tradition of making Vietnamese food. In Canada, I continue to cook this meal because the familiar aromas remind me of my family gatherings back home. It is important to me because it provides a sense of comfort and keeps my cultural roots alive during my daily life in Winnipeg.”