Breaking down barriers: STEPS lets people with intellectual disabilities attend university

Founded in 2001, the organization has negotiated arrangements with the University of B.C., the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and the University of Victoria in which intellectually disabled students can audit courses. Students are not graded and don't graduate, but they are given library cards, gym passes and other services. STEPS also co-ordinates work programs that the students can participate in during the summer.

STEPS now has five students attending UBC., four at Emily Carr and four at UVic. However, while those institutions are offering some accommodations, they are not waiving tuition, which is the same even though the courses are only being audited. To that end, the society has created a bursary fund that a Richmond Safeway is helping support Saturday during the company's We Care Day.