08/27/2026
"The Smart Suite helped us learn how to give my daughter, Zoe, freedom and independence,” says Elsien Versteeg, mother of Smart Suite home technologies recipient. “Zoe does not verbally communicate but with this technology she can use her eye gaze technology to play her favourite music and change the colour of the lights in her room. It's the simple things that we take for granted that she is getting to experience and control for the first time."
Yesterday, we celebrated the official grand opening of the Smart Suite at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children, a transformative space that showcases how innovative technology can support greater independence, accessibility, and participation for children and youth with disabilities.
This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of many individuals. Special thanks to Shea Hunt, Dena Stitz, the Occupational Therapy team, and most importantly, the client families who generously shared their time, insights, and lived experiences to help bring this vision to life.
The Smart Suite was made possible through the generous support of the Moffat Family Fund at Winnipeg Foundation, the Children's Rehabilitation Foundation, and the Rehabilitation Centre for Children. Together, they have created a space that will help children and families explore technologies that foster independence and inclusion.
First photo credit to Winnipeg Free Press.
