We Heard You: Who gets into programs?
Originally Posted: November 5, 2018
Updated: February 9, 2023
Due to high demand, participants may not always receive their first choice of program. Our goal is to accommodate as many unique individuals on the spectrum as possible throughout the year.
In order to provide some insight as to how we achieve this, we have outlined the processes that guide registration below.
REGISTRATION PROCESS*
Registration for most CAN programs (weekly children’s programs and youth & adult rec programs) opens for one week (Monday at noon to Sunday at 11:59pm) on canucksautismprograms.ca through a process called “Pending Enrolment”.
- CAN members submit program requests online during the registration period.
- Registration is not first-come, first-served. Each program request immediately goes to “Pending” status.
- Once registration closes, CAN staff review all submitted requests and update statuses to either “Confirmed” or “Waitlisted”.
*The exceptions to this process are a) family experience registrations that take place on a first-come, first-served basis through Eventbrite and b) youth & adult programs that do not require CAN membership (these take place through separate online forms).
SELECTION PROCESS*
In the event that program demand exceeds the number of available spots, the following criteria guides each enrolment decision:
- Past registration history
If a participant has not previously taken part in a requested program, they will receive priority. Being on a waitlist for a program in the past will positively impact your chances of enrolment for future seasons. - Account standing
Participants with up-to-date accounts (ie. proof of diagnosis submitted, membership and program fees paid) and good attendance in previous CAN programs will receive priority. - Program ranking
Our registration system includes a ranking feature, allowing participants to indicate their order of preference for program requests. If we are unable to fulfill a participant’s first-ranked request, we aim to accommodate them into their second or third-ranked program request.
*The exceptions to this process are a) family experience registrations that take place on a first-come, first-served basis through Eventbrite and b) youth & adult programs that do not require CAN membership (these take place through separate online forms).
REGISTRATION REMINDERS*
- Submit and rank registration requests for each program that you’re interested in. Submitting just one program request does NOT increase your chances of getting into that program. Participants are encouraged to request and rank all programs and locations of interest in order to help us better identify demand. This will help guide future programming decisions and highlight areas most in need of fundraising support.
- Registration is not first-come, first-served. Do not feel obligated to register immediately as soon as the registration period opens.
- Due to high demand, waitlists do occur. Don’t be discouraged. Being on a waitlist positively impacts your chances of enrolment for future seasons. If you are on a waitlist and a spot becomes available, we will contact you by email.
- Registration status updates will be sent out within 1-2 weeks
*The exceptions to this process are a) family experience registrations that take place on a first-come, first-served basis through Eventbrite and b) youth & adult programs that do not require CAN membership (these take place through separate online forms).
We look forward to empowering participants to learn new skills, develop new friendships and create lifelong memories.
Questions? Email [email protected]!