Over the last year and half, students, teachers and parents have relied on Samsung technology more than ever to facilitate virtual forms of learning. With Samsung’s commitment to supporting students through existing and new education-based partnerships, youth across the country will continue to receive the technology access they need to support their academic journey.

As Canadian students return to the classroom this fall, Samsung Canada commitment to learning remains strong through its extended education partnership with Autism Speaks Canada, a non-profit organization committed to building inclusive communities where autistic Canadians can reach their full potential. For the 2021-22 school year, Samsung will be donating 200 Chromebooks to schoolboards across Canada to give autistic children access to technology they may not otherwise have.

Through this partnership, Samsung has donated over 5,000 devices to autistic children and families in recent years, underscoring the positive impact technology can make.

“As the school year kicks off, we are looking forward to supporting students with a variety of technology solutions. We’re excited to continue this work and build on our education partnerships, as it is clear what an important role technology plays in student learning,” said Jennifer Groh, Senior Director Corporate Marketing and Citizenship, Samsung Electronics Canada.

Tapping into the creativity and ingenuity of Canada’s post-secondary students to help solve urgent social and environmental challenges, Samsung Canada is once again partnering with Enactus Canada to unveil a new “Solve For Tomorrow” challenge this fall, providing both technology donations and cash grants. Since launching Solve for Tomorrow in 2015 Samsung has connected with 1,400 schools and impacted more than 40,000 Canadian students.

Stay tuned for another educational partnership announcement this month as part of the Samsung pledge to give back to students. You can also learn more about Samsung Canada’s CSR programs at: http://csr.samsung.com/en-ca/localMain.do

“The critical resources and support our child needs has been closed down – this is impacting his development greatly.”

“We are struggling – financially and emotionally.”

“Our kids need more support.”

These are just some of the sentiments Autism Speaks Canada (ASC) has been hearing from parents since the spring. Remote learning has been difficult for many Canadians but especially for those who lack access to technology. 

“1 in 66 Canadian children and youth are diagnosed with autism, making autism one of the most common developmental disabilities in Canada. Their everyday challenges vary and are only exacerbated during these challenging times. With remote learning and the many unknowns for this school year, access to technology has never been more important as it unlocks the door to education and services,” says Jill Farber, Executive Director at Autism Speaks Canada.

Unfortunately, many families in Canada lack access to technology, putting them at a great disadvantage. It is for this very reason that Samsung Canada donated 1,000 tablets to ASC this past spring. ASC received over 4,000 applications across Canada in the first 24 hours of the campaign, highlighting the overwhelming need in the community for technology-related solutions. The impact the tablets have had on the families has been overwhelming:

Ryan and Andrea, parents of Damien, shared that he had not been able to attend his swimming lessons that help with his mobility, nor his speech, occupational and physical therapy sessions due to the epidemic. These disruptions to necessary and specialized services are critical to Damien reaching his full potential. Damien did not understand why his therapists and educators had suddenly vanished. Without the speech and language skills to express himself, the new way of life has been difficult.

“In a time of crisis, receiving the Samsung tablet has blessed Damien more than words can say. The tablet has been able to support Damien’s continued education, give him access to resources and specialized services, and help him regulate his mental health,” said Ryan, Damien’s father. 

Similar sentiment was shared by Izabelle, mother of 14-year old Yorick. “The tablet has greatly helped him in his every day life, above all to learn and communicate. For him, this opens a door to the world.”

Putting technology in the hands of Canadian families will support continuing education, accessing resources, managing mental health and building virtual communities. Today, more than ever, it’s important that students stay connected to learning, opportunity and each other.

“Supporting and giving back to the communities we serve has been a long-standing tradition at Samsung Electronics Canada. It’s an initiative that stems from our global vision that we thrive when our partners and communities thrive,” said Jennifer Groh, Director, Corporate Marketing and Citizenship from Samsung Canada. “Autistic Canadians and their families continue to face disruptions in accessing critical resources like technology, support, and services, so we are doubling our efforts this year and donating an additional 1,000 tablets to support students in accessing educational programming.”

Beginning today, organizations supporting online learning opportunities for autistic Canadians can apply for the tablet program at the link here.

While we have always known that technology is an impactful, meaningful and helpful tool, today those impacts are being felt more than ever before. As a result, Samsung Canada is increasing its efforts by donating technology to two, long-standing partners requiring urgent support: Autism Speaks Canada and SickKids Foundation. These donations build upon our global efforts to date, which now surpass $33 million.

We have learned through our six-year partnership with Autism Speaks Canada that technology can positively impact the lives of people with autism and their families.  One in 66 Canadian children and youth are diagnosed with autism. Their everyday challenges vary and are only exacerbated during these challenging times. Autistic Canadians and their families are facing disruptions in accessing critical resources, supports, and services. Putting technology in their hands will support continuing education, accessing resources, regulating mental health and building virtual communities. To help, Samsung Electronics Canada and Autism Speaks Canada have partnered to donate 1,000 Galaxy Tab A tablets to autistic Canadians and their families.

SickKids, another long-term partner, is also facing some challenges due to measures to help protect the health and safety of staff, patients and families. During this time, all patients whose care is non-essential are at home with their families, and patients still at SickKids need to be there, staying mainly in their rooms. They can’t visit other patients and playrooms are mostly closed, or by appointment only – one kid at a time, to allow deep cleaning between visits. Families are limited to one parent or caregiver per visit. As this isolation can be incredibly challenging for families, Samsung Electronics Canada will be donating 200 Samsung Smart LED Health Care TVs to ensure every room at SickKids has a television that allows them to better access educational Child Life programming, entertainment and more.

We are also humbled by the outpouring of support that our employees have given to organizations that are close to their hearts. Samsung Electronics Canada is pleased to support our employee efforts, by continuing our employee donation matching program and supporting volunteering to give back virtually.  We are so impressed by how our people have come together to help.

Samsung will continue to evaluate ways to stay strong and connected in support of our colleagues, customers and communities.

We’ll get through this, together.