Accessibility Committee Members

Tanya Buschau (she/her)

Co-Chair Accessibility Steering Committee & the Accessibility Planning Working Group

Tanya Buschau (she/her) is an Advisor in the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion department.  Previously she worked as a medical adjudicator for a program providing funding and assistive technology for post-secondary students with disabilities, and prior to that worked at a human rights commission in various roles including that of investigator. Tanya has always had a passion for social justice and is committed to removing barriers so that everyone can fully participate in all aspects of society, free of harassment and discrimination.

Kacem Habiballah

Co-Chair Accessibility Steering Committee & the Accessibility Planning Working Group

Kacem has been with BCIT for over 16 years, throughout which he held various positions. He currently serves as the Interim Associate Vice President, Academic Operations. Kacem firmly believes that access to education is a human right and that economic upward mobility hinges around that access. He is passionate about student success and about challenging parochial ways of assessing and evaluating students’ academic work. Kacem is thrilled to be co-chairing the Accessibility Steering Committee with his colleague, Jackie, and is excited to be working with the members of the committee to collectively help make BCIT a place where people, with all ability levels, are provided with a dignified and welcoming access. Kacem enjoys living with his wife and son in South Surrey, the unceded traditional territory of the Katzie, Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, and Coast Salish Peoples. In their spare time, you can find them walking the trails or enjoying White Rock beach on their paddle boards.In addition to his undergraduate in aviation electronics, Kacem hold a Masters in leadership and Training from Royal Roads and a Doctorate in Education from Western University.

Wendy McLeod (she/her)

(also a member of the Accessibility Planning Working Group)

Wendy is a proud Métis woman from the Treaty 6 area in Saskatchewan and honours the traditional territories of the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), Qw’? ntl’en (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), səmyámə (Semiahmoo), and Sc̓əwaθn (Tsawwassen) First Nations where she currently lives as a guest. She has been around BCIT for 22 years working in various areas. As the Coordinator for the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office, and a person with a disability, creating a better community where all people can feel respected and included is near and dear to her heart and she supports this by sitting on various committees including Accessibility, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Pink Shirt Day, Black Excellence Day, and the United Way. Wendy was the recipient of the BCIT Inclusivity Employee Excellence Award in 2020. She spends her spare time on Genealogy and is learning how to do beadwork.

Jennifer Figner (she/her)

Jennifer is the Provost & Vice President, Academic and has held a few different roles at BCIT over the past 17 years. She is passionate about student success and supporting faculty in the important work that they do. Always excited to grow and learn new things, she is thrilled to be a part of the Accessibility steering committee. When not at BCIT, she can be found walking the trails of Port Moody with her adopted mutt dog Koda or sitting around a campfire with her husband and two almost grown up kids.

Kenzie Woodbridge

I am a queer non-binary transgender person of white British descent who has had many intersections with disability and accessibility throughout my life. In my family of origin, both of my parents were disabled during my growing up period with chronic illnesses that impacted their day-to-day functioning, comfort, and experiences of health, and they both encountered barriers to full-time employment as a result. I am chronically ill with several auto-immune conditions. One of those conditions is Multiple Sclerosis, which – before diagnosis and treatment – impaired my vision, mobility, sensation, and certain bodily functions. The medication I am on to control my MS and prevent further impairment necessarily significantly compromises my immune system. I am also a sole parent by choice to an amazing 2E 13-year-old with mental health struggles. I care deeply about universal access, the fundamental intrinsic worth of all people, and the destigmatization and ordinary-ization (okay, that one’s my word) of mental and physical illness, disability, and ability difference. I have also long advocated for accessibility principles in our online properties at BCIT, most particularly on the BCIT public website, where I am responsible for educating our distributed web publishing community about the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2).

Cheryl Sokol

With sincere gratitude I acknowledge my privilege to work, live and play on the unceded traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil- Waututh, Squamish, Katzie, Kwantlen, Matsqui and Semiahmoo First Nations. I am a third generation European settler and identify as a person with a disability. After studying psychology at SFU I pursued my Masters in Rehabilitation Counselling at Utah State University as there was no similar programs in BC at the time. My role at BCIT is a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS), and the Coordinator in Accessibility Services. I joined BCIT in 2006 after stepping away from the consulting company I began and co-lead for 12 years which had a large focus on supporting K-12 teachers around the province challenged by disability conditions. I love the opportunity to support and collaborate with so many in the BCIT community with roles that intersect with students that manage limitations related to an ongoing disability or medical condition. I appreciate the opportunity to provide direct support to students in their BCIT journey. I am thrilled to participate in this committee.

Virginie Wong

Virginie is the Senior Planning Coordinator in Campus Planning at BCIT. She is responsible for managing the Institute’s space database and is the designate responsible for liaising with the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training (AEST) about space usage. In her role, she maintains BCIT’s records on space management and building plans. She is a subject matter expert on interior design, wayfinding and building code compliance. She works with stakeholders at every level at all 5 BCIT campuses, in matters related to space planning, furniture requests, capital project planning, feasibility studies, as well as public realm design and implementation.  Virginie is passionate about creating inclusive and well-designed spaces and has added the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification to her professional designations. Virginie is a past recipient of BCIT’s Employee Excellence Award for Individual Contribution. She continually searches for ways to make contributions that improve the experience of BCIT communities and to further develop her professional skills and industry knowledge that enables her to keep BCIT’s student and staff experiences and reputation well recognized and respected. She is excited to contribute her knowledge and perspective to the work of this committee.

Chris Forrest

I am the BCIT Campus Architect and I am representing BCIT Campus Planning and Facilities. I am here to listen, learn and help integrate recommendations into our current campus planning initiatives, capital projects and guidelines. My personal experience and expertise is predominantly in the physical built-environment, however I also have lived experience navigating autism in my family.

Tami Pierce

I have dedicated the past 27 years focused on creating systemic change in the post-secondary system.  Today, I am excited about continuing this work in an effort to advance reconciliation.

Kory Wilson

Kory (Kwakwaka’wakw), BSc. JD, is the Executive Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships for British Columbia Institute of Technology. She is Chair of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics Indigenous Affinity Group. Kory has over 20 years of experience in post-secondary education, community development, and legal profession. Good governance is a specialty and a passion. She serves on several boards from Pearson College, BC Women’s Foundation, Downie Wenjack Fund, Future Skills Canada, to the BC First Nations Justice Council. A sought-after speaker and strategist on advancing and ‘truth-telling’ about the past and moving forward towards Reconciliation. Education and access to knowledge are key as when people know better, they do better. Diversity is a reality, but inclusion is a choice. Bold and courageous conversations are needed to ensure systemic change. We can and must do better – Canada can and must do better. Together we are stronger.

Ian Linkletter

An Emerging Technology & Open Education Librarian with BCIT Library Services. In addition to his library and information science background, he worked at UBC’s Faculty of Education for 10 years as a Learning Technology Specialist. In this role, he was responsible for ensuring learning technology and online courses were accessible to all. He developed and launched the Accessibility Scan Service where faculty could request technology-facilitated support improving the accessibility of their course. He also has expertise in Universal Design for Learning.

Melissa Picher Kelly

(also a member of the Accessibility Planning Working Group)

Has over 25 years experience producing high-profile events in the post-secondary sector and advising leaders in academic event strategy. Melissa is currently leading the best-in-class BCIT Events team in our work supporting key stakeholders to deliver exceptional event experiences, which engage our community, reflect the BCIT Brand and promote the Institute’s vision of Empowering People, Shaping BC and Inspiring Global Progress. The seven member team is responsible for multiple convocation ceremonies presented annually as well as over 65 additional celebration and recognition events in any given year, where we are pleased to honour our community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and partners. The team also supports recruitment events, major government announcements and special VIP speaking presentations. In her role, and from the lens of someone who faces some physical challenges, Melissa led the development of the BCIT Inclusive Events checklist in 2019. Melissa’s skill subset included: public speaking and script development, event production, volunteer management, communications, risk assessment, crowd safety controls and protocol standards.

Shelley Shumas (she/her)

Shelley currently works at BCIT as an academic advisor in Flexible Learning. She brings over 10 years of experience in post-secondary and 15 years of experience in social services as a case manager and a program facilitator. Many of the clients that she served came from neurodiverse backgrounds, faced challenges in mental health, poverty, lack of education, substance misuse, trauma, and diverse cultural backgrounds. She has a degree in Psychology from UBC, plans to apply to her Master’s in Counselling at City U, and is currently taking a Psychology of Adolescence course at TRU.  She has certifications in career counselling, personal training, and recently she completed Coaching Out of the Box training at BCIT.  Shelley ahas lived experience with accessibility and inclusion. She advocates for her son who is in grade 6 and has ADHD and a learning disability, and her husband who has Tourette’s syndrome, which he struggles with daily, and she also has had her own challenges with mental health. With her experience and background, she hopes to contribute her insights and empathy to the Committee. When not at BCIT, she enjoys watching her son’s soccer games, and spending time with her beloved dog Teeko, who is a Pomchi (Pomeranian/Chihuahua).

Marcela De La Pena Domene

Marcela is passionate about community planning and education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in community and regional planning. She worked as part of an Accessibility committee in a municipality (in Mexico) to create a plan and its implementation of basic guidelines for urban planning.  Marcela has worked for ten years in post-secondary education and loves to be involved in collaborative projects, especially when it involves the community.

Kristine Thompson

Kristine joined the teaching faculty at BCIT in December 2019 after almost 30 years work experience in various industries. She has taught accounting, human resources, and business strategy courses. She obtained her CPA, CMA designation in 2003, and her MBA with a concentration in Human Resources in 2010. Kristine has a personal interest in equity and inclusion, including accessibility issues.

James (Jim) Taggart

As an immigrant to Canada, Jim respectfully acknowledges his gratitude to the  xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səlí? lwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nations, on whose traditional unceded territory he has been privileged to live , work and raise his family.  Trained as an architect, Jim was forced to leave the profession after 12 years, when a degenerative eye condition left him legally blind. Since then, he has worked as:

• Instructor in the Bachelor of Architectural Science program at BCIT
• Editor of Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine (SABMag)
• Director of Gateway Navigation CC Ltd. In these varied roles, he has been an unwavering advocate for equity, inclusion and cultural change; promoting social sustainability as the foundation of community resilience; advocating for universal accessibility in design; and the adoption of the Indigenous world view as a way to recalibrate our relationship with  the natural world  and the planet as a whole.  “

Julie Novakovic

I have been with BCIT for 16 years, and prior to that I worked as a critical care nurse with Vancouver Coastal Health. I worked for several years as a BCNU Steward for the Vancouver Metro area, and I worked mainly as an Occupational Health and Safety Steward. Most of my time working for BCNU was with my fellow nurses who were dealing with the need for accommodation in the workplace. In this position I was sponsored to attend Labour school through the CLC and BCFed.  At BCIT my job changed quite dramatically in 2012 as I had an accident/injury and immediately became mobility challenged on a permanent basis. This was a traumatic experience, and I required accommodation to be able to come back to full time work. I wanted to be part of this group simply because I have a fair number of students in my classes and fellow instructors who struggle with accessibility issues of all types, and perspective certainly changes once you are challenged in this way.

Connor Hofler

I have been at BCIT for the last 5 years. I work for the Trades Access department, specifically in the Trades Learning Centre. In my role, I tutor current trades and technical students who need some extra help with their mathematics, physics, or study skills. I also assess potential trades and technical students to ensure they have the necessary skills to be successful at BCIT. The main reason I wanted to be part of the Accessibility Committee is I have noticed that it can be difficult for some students, or their instructors, to access the supports they need (i.e. exam accommodations) and I want to make sure that BCIT supports the trades and technical students.

Steven MacLean

Steve is a public safety professional with three decades of progressive leadership experience in the military, government, higher education, and health care sectors. All these experiences allowed Steve to find his true passion in supporting student success and the academic process, and he is privileged to hold the position as BCIT’s Associate Director of Campus Security.  Steve champions fairness, justice and equality, and his call to leadership includes helping to break the barriers to accessible education.  When he’s not working, Steve might be found camping out in the back and beyond, struggling through a woodwork project in his shop, or exasperated in his years long journey to learn to play the guitar.

Laura Vail (she/her)

Laura  has been the Senior Director, Student Success since January 2021. Student success has been at the core of Laura’s work and educational pursuits over the past 15 years. She has a particular interest in systemic approaches to reducing barriers for students, especially for students who have traditionally been unable to access post-secondary education. As a queer woman who lives with disabilities, she brings to the Committee her drive to help create an accessible, inclusive institution for students, staff, and faculty.

Joanna Angelidis

(also a member of the Accessibility Planning Working Group)

I’m thrilled and honoured to be a member of the Accessibility Committee.  The opportunity to collaborate in support of what I believe to be some of the most important work we will ever do is both inspiring and humbling. I have held various professional roles from Kindergarten to higher education in the areas of accessibility, accommodation and universal design. I am an Orientation and Mobility Rehabilitation Specialist (blindness and visual impairment travel skills), a certified Educator of Students who are Blind, Visually Impaired and Deafblind – and have held roles in the past as a Director of Inclusive Learning with oversight of inclusion, access and universal design for learning in a K-12 school district.  Currently, I’m pursuing a doctorate degree in inclusion and accessibility in online and distance education. I am passionate about building systems and structures that are broadly, authentically and unapologetically inclusive of everyone!

Sarah Bainbridge

Sarah is passionate about education and has extensive experience collaborating with partners to create outstanding programs and infrastructure projects.  In her role within the Agile and Work-Integrated Learning team – VP Academic Office, Sarah assists staff and faculty across the institute secure funding for a range initiatives. Prior to working with BCIT, Sarah was part of institutional planning, launch, and operations teams for the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, Audain Art Museum, and the Cheakamus Foundation for Environmental Learning where she secured millions of dollars through grants, sponsorships, and donations. Sarah holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Simon Fraser University and is an active member of many boards and associations related to education, literacy, and not-for-profit organizations.

Lisa Boulton

Shelby Woida (also a member of the Accessibility Planning Working Group)

Yasmin Gardy (also a member of the Accessibility Planning Working Group)

Tanya Buschau (she/her)

Co-Chair Accessibility Steering Committee & the Accessibility Planning Working Group

Tanya Buschau (she/her) is an Advisor in the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion department.  Previously she worked as a medical adjudicator for a program providing funding and assistive technology for post-secondary students with disabilities, and prior to that worked at a human rights commission in various roles including that of investigator. Tanya has always had a passion for social justice and is committed to removing barriers so that everyone can fully participate in all aspects of society, free of harassment and discrimination.

Kacem Habiballah

Co-Chair Accessibility Steering Committee & the Accessibility Planning Working Group

Kacem has been with BCIT for over 16 years, throughout which he held various positions. He currently serves as the Interim Associate Vice President, Academic Operations. Kacem firmly believes that access to education is a human right and that economic upward mobility hinges around that access. He is passionate about student success and about challenging parochial ways of assessing and evaluating students’ academic work. Kacem is thrilled to be co-chairing the Accessibility Steering Committee with his colleague, Jackie, and is excited to be working with the members of the committee to collectively help make BCIT a place where people, with all ability levels, are provided with a dignified and welcoming access. Kacem enjoys living with his wife and son in South Surrey, the unceded traditional territory of the Katzie, Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, and Coast Salish Peoples. In their spare time, you can find them walking the trails or enjoying White Rock beach on their paddle boards.In addition to his undergraduate in aviation electronics, Kacem hold a Masters in leadership and Training from Royal Roads and a Doctorate in Education from Western University.

Wendy McLeod (she/her) (also a member of the Accessibility Steering Committee)

Wendy is a proud Métis woman from the Treaty 6 area in Saskatchewan and honours the traditional territories of the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), Qw’? ntl’en (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), səmyámə (Semiahmoo), and Sc̓əwaθn (Tsawwassen) First Nations where she currently lives as a guest. She has been around BCIT for 22 years working in various areas. As the Coordinator for the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office, and a person with a disability, creating a better community where all people can feel respected and included is near and dear to her heart and she supports this by sitting on various committees including Accessibility, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Pink Shirt Day, Black Excellence Day, and the United Way. Wendy was the recipient of the BCIT Inclusivity Employee Excellence Award in 2020. She spends her spare time on Genealogy and is learning how to do beadwork.

Cathy Mutis

Cathy is a fourth-generation Canadian of Scottish and Irish ancestry, currently honoured to be living and working on the unceded traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples. Prior to coming to BCIT, Cathy worked in international education, program development and administration, and previous to that was a teacher of English as an Additional Language to adults for over 15 years. Cathy joined BCIT in 2018 in the role of Student Life Manager. Through BCIT’s Early Assist program, Cathy provides wrap-around case management support to students experiencing life circumstances interfering with their studies. Cathy finds joy and fulfillment in empowering students to achieve greater well-being while studying at BCIT.

Cheri Macleod (she/her)

Cheri  currently works as an Instructional Development Consultant in the Learning and Teaching Centre but has held a number of different roles over her career here in Canada and abroad. Her interests include student success, faculty support, open education, universal design for learning, educational technology as well as active and experiential learning. She is pleased to have the opportunity to join the Accessibility steering committee. She spends her personal time with family and taking mobile photographs (yes, that’s a thing).

Henry Leung (he/him)

Henry is Program Head of Digital Design and Development at BCIT, located on the unceded traditional territories of the of Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səlí? lwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nations. He is currently completing his Master’s degree at SFU in topics relating to technology and disability. Henry is an expert in the field of technology and is excited to contribute to disability studies with his knowledge and experience. He is committed to advancing technology without ableism and discriminatory footprints. He believes in creating accessible and inclusive environments for all and is passionate about making a difference in the world.

Jamie Finley (he/him)

Jamie works as a researcher with BCIT’s Natural Health and Food Products Research Group.  Jamie acknowledges he is a guest with his work taking place on the unceded lands of Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. He has a keen interest in applying multivariate data analysis to natural health product quality and has over 7 years experience in microbiology and analytical chemistry. Jamie’s overall goal at NRG is to advance the state of practice for characterization and quality control of commercial and research based natural health products. Jamie has a BSc (Hons) and DiplT. in biotechnology from UBC and BCIT.  He identifies as a Deaf person and is able to communicate in American Sign Language. Jamie has worked tirelessly to make our society more accessible for Deaf persons and continues to champion this  endeavour for current and future employees at BCIT.

Fraser Robertson

Melissa Picher Kelly (also a member of the Accessibility Steering Committee)

Has over 25 years experience producing high-profile events in the post-secondary sector and advising leaders in academic event strategy. Melissa is currently leading the best-in-class BCIT Events team in our work supporting key stakeholders to deliver exceptional event experiences, which engage our community, reflect the BCIT Brand and promote the Institute’s vision of Empowering People, Shaping BC and Inspiring Global Progress. The seven member team is responsible for multiple convocation ceremonies presented annually as well as over 65 additional celebration and recognition events in any given year, where we are pleased to honour our community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and partners. The team also supports recruitment events, major government announcements and special VIP speaking presentations. In her role, and from the lens of someone who faces some physical challenges, Melissa led the development of the BCIT Inclusive Events checklist in 2019. Melissa’s skill subset included: public speaking and script development, event production, volunteer management, communications, risk assessment, crowd safety controls and protocol standards.

Joanna Angelidis (also a member of the Accessibility Steering Committee)

I’m thrilled and honoured to be a member of the Accessibility Committee.  The opportunity to collaborate in support of what I believe to be some of the most important work we will ever do is both inspiring and humbling. I have held various professional roles from Kindergarten to higher education in the areas of accessibility, accommodation and universal design. I am an Orientation and Mobility Rehabilitation Specialist (blindness and visual impairment travel skills), a certified Educator of Students who are Blind, Visually Impaired and Deafblind – and have held roles in the past as a Director of Inclusive Learning with oversight of inclusion, access and universal design for learning in a K-12 school district.  Currently, I’m pursuing a doctorate degree in inclusion and accessibility in online and distance education. I am passionate about building systems and structures that are broadly, authentically and unapologetically inclusive of everyone!

Shelby Woida (also a member of the Accessibility Steering Committee)

Yasmin Gardy (also a member of the Accessibility Steering Committee)