George Reed Foundation establishes new centre

Posted: October 23, 2014 3:15 p.m.

(L to R) Dr. Vianne Timmons, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Regina with George Reed, founder and chair of the George Reed Foundation. Photo: U of R Photography

The University of Regina has a new centre that will be located in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies - the George Reed Centre for Accessible Visual Communications, funded by the George Reed Foundation.

The mission of the Centre is to foster, co-ordinate and promote research activities in accessible, visual and inclusive communications when conventional communication is not possible due to disability, language barriers, literacy challenges, or health issues.

Pictograms, a symbolic language system, are sometimes used by individuals who do not use conventional communication. Pictograms illustrate objects, concepts or actions and provide opportunities for communication for those who require adaptations. Used widely throughout Sweden and Japan, the concept of pictogram symbolism is internationally accepted as a mode of communication to support people in a non-verbal context.

The George Reed Centre for Accessible Visual Communications will serve as the focal point for pictogram research provincially, nationally, and internationally.

George Reed played with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for 13 seasons (1963-1975). During his career, he set 44 records in the Canadian Football League. He was voted #2 by The Sport Network in a list of the CFL’s top 50 players of the modern era. Reed is a member of the Order of Canada and received an honorary degree from the University of Regina in 1981. He established the George Reed Foundation to help people who are experiencing physical and/or intellectual challenges.

For more information about the George Reed Foundation, visit: http://georgereedfoundation.com/index.