06/02/2026
“I’m the Achieve Program Coordinator at NSCC Akerley Campus. My passions are disability justice and raising my daughter, Ginger. While working at NSCC, I received my Autism diagnosis, which connected dots in both my personal and professional life.
My education included starting and stopping various university programs before finding my place in NSCC’s Office Administration and Business Administration programs. I later completed a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning, completing my practicum with Achieve at IT Campus and the rest is history!
I was drawn to the Achieve program after seeing the realities faced by adults with disabilities who grew up during institutionalization. I wanted to help this generation learn to advocate for themselves, understand their rights and know their voices matter.
The Achieve Program is for young adults, ages 17-21, who completed high school and had an Individual Program Plan in Grade 12. The program focuses on independent living, employment, wellness, advocacy and more.
This year, I received a SPRINT Faculty Microgrant, allowing my students to become the first Achieve class to be participatory researchers in an NSCC Applied Research project. The project, Unseen Barriers, used photovoice to highlight inaccessibility.
In 2014, I started the DiscoverAbilities Events Society which plans conferences and events for adults with intellectual disabilities. I wanted to fill gaps without competing for funding needed for essential programs and supports. All events are fundraised.
My advice for creating inclusive spaces is to let go of rigid social norms, for example around communication and behaviour. People can be quick to label something as inappropriate when often it’s simply different.”
-Meagan Solely (Office Admin '12, Business Admin '14)
“I’m the Achieve Program Coordinator at NSCC Akerley Campus. My passions are disability justice and raising my daughter, Ginger. While working at NSCC, I received my Autism diagnosis, which connected dots in both my personal and professional life.
My education included starting and stopping various university programs before finding my place in NSCC’s Office Administration and Business Administration programs. I later completed a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning, completing my practicum with Achieve at IT Campus and the rest is history!
I was drawn to the Achieve program after seeing the realities faced by adults with disabilities who grew up during institutionalization. I wanted to help this generation learn to advocate for themselves, understand their rights and know their voices matter.
The Achieve Program is for young adults, ages 17-21, who completed high school and had an Individual Program Plan in Grade 12. The program focuses on independent living, employment, wellness, advocacy and more.
This year, I received a SPRINT Faculty Microgrant, allowing my students to become the first Achieve class to be participatory researchers in an NSCC Applied Research project. The project, Unseen Barriers, used photovoice to highlight inaccessibility.
In 2014, I started the DiscoverAbilities Events Society which plans conferences and events for adults with intellectual disabilities. I wanted to fill gaps without competing for funding needed for essential programs and supports. All events are fundraised.
My advice for creating inclusive spaces is to let go of rigid social norms, for example around communication and behaviour. People can be quick to label something as inappropriate when often it’s simply different.”
-Meagan Solely (Office Admin '12, Business Admin '14)
