CAMBRIAN COLLEGE
Cambrian creates accessible workstations for Electrical Engineering student

When Flower Lee enrolled in Cambrian College's Electrical Engineering program, faculty and technical staff were determined to ensure that mobility challenges would not stand in the way of Flower's goal to pursue a career in skilled trades.

Cambrian College Electrical Engineering student Flower Lee, who has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and uses a wheelchair, demonstrates the accessible workstations built especially for them by faculty and staff in the program

Lee has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a group of inherited conditions that affect the body's connective tissues. People with EDS experience overly flexible joints, fragile skin, and a higher risk of bruising and injury. Lee uses a wheelchair.

Working collaboratively, the Electrical Engineering team has designed and built customized workstations that allow Lee to fully participate in the practical laboratory activities required throughout the program.

What began in Lee's first year with the creation of a custom turntable to support electrical circuit construction evolved into a larger accessibility project this year. Faculty and technologists designed and built variable-height workstations that provide full access to specialized electrical training equipment and laboratory modules used throughout the program.

For Professor Serge Levesque and the Electrical Engineering team, the goal was straightforward: ensure every student has access to the tools and experiences needed to succeed.

"When Flower joined the program, we knew we needed to think differently about how some of our lab equipment was accessed," says Levesque. "The objective was never to create a separate learning experience. It was to provide the same opportunities, the same equipment, and the same hands-on training as every other student. Seeing the finished workstations in use and knowing it helps remove barriers is incredibly rewarding."

In creating the new workstations, Levesque and the team even repurposed, re-engineered, and rebuilt surplus equipment, creating a practical solution while reducing waste at the same time.

"I'm incredibly proud of the dedication, creativity, and support our faculty and technical staff have shown in helping Flower succeed," says Kim Crane, Dean of Cambrian's School of Skilled Trades, Engineering Technology, and Environmental Studies. "Our team quickly recognized Flower's passion for the trade and, without hesitation, came together to design and build a workstation that could move with Flower throughout their program. Rather than focusing on barriers, the team focused on finding solutions and creating opportunities for Flower to fully participate in hands-on learning. I'm very proud to work alongside a team that genuinely cares about our students and goes above and beyond to set them up for success."

Lee says the support they received from faculty and staff has made a significant difference in their educational journey.

"The amount of effort and care that went into creating these solutions means a lot to me," says Lee. "The team didn't focus on what I couldn't do: they focused on making sure I had the same opportunity to learn, participate, and succeed as everyone else. Having that support has made me feel valued, included, and confident in pursuing my goals in electrical engineering."

The project reflects Cambrian College's strategic commitment to fostering creativity that leads to career success for students, as well creating a campus atmosphere that is inclusive.

Click here to learn more about the engineering technology programs at Cambrian.