RUAccessCentre Orientation Workshop
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Transcript of RUAccessCentre Orientation Workshop
Access Centrefor Students with Disabilities
An Orientation Workshop
For newly registered and/or prospective students and parents to feel comfortable, confident, and clear about how Ryerson’s Access Centre supports students with disabilities
To offer a detailed description of our services and processes, including registration, documentation requirements, and student responsibilities
Workshop Objectives
Monday – Friday, 9am - 4:30pm (closed 12pm - 1pm)
POD 62B, 350 Victoria Street (area connecting Jorgenson Hall to Library)
416-979-5290 [email protected]
www.ryerson.ca/studentservices/accesscentre/ @RUAccessCentre
Contact
Introduction & What We Do
Student Services & SLS
How to Register
Confidentiality OSAP & BSWD
Reminders & Responsibilitie
s
FAQ
Agenda
WHAT WE DO
What We Do: The Roles of the Access Centre
What we DO:
Put accommodations in place
Support students being their own advocates, and advocate on their behalf
Help with BSWD funding Suggest RU and
community resources
What we DON’T DO:
Counselling Therapeutic CSDC Academic Department
Help with housing accommodations Student Housing Services
General Financial Aid Student Financial Assistance
Library or academic research access Diane Michaud (Library Services for
Persons with Disabilities)
What We Do: Other Resources
RYERSON• Counselling (CSDC)• Medical Centre• Health Promotion• Library• Aboriginal Services (R.A.S.S.)• Tri-Mentoring• Discrimination & Harassment• Other SLS Services (to follow)
COMMUNITY • LDAO, LDAC• CAMH, CMHA (Metro)• 519 Church St Community
Ctr.• St. Michael's Hospital • SpringBoard, ADHD Clinic • CogMed, Working Memory
Training • CNIB, CHS
What We Do: Who We Serve
“I live with an invisible disability and as a result started university fearing that this might be a barrier. Ryerson’s Access Centre helped me to thrive at school. Their support has been crucial to my success.”
—4th year student
What We Do: Testimonial
What We Do: What We Believe
Leveling the playing field
STUDENT SERVICES & SLS
STUDENT LEARNING SUPPORT
Access Centre for Students
with Disabilities
Student Services & SLS:Where the AC fits…
Writing Centre Math Assistance Centre
Learning Success Centre
English Language Support
Student Services for TRSM
Writing Centre: Scheduled one-on-one
support during ANY stage of the writing process
Students registered with the Access Centre can book two 50-minute sessions per week
Math Assistance Centre: Drop-in individual or
group support for range of math courses
FA-ST facilitated study groups
Learning Success Centre: Scheduled and drop-in
learning strategies support
In-person and online workshops
English Language Support: Scheduled, drop-in, and
Skype support for written and spoken English
Student Services in TRSM: Management-specific
workshops and scheduled, drop-in, and Skype support
HOW TO REGISTER
We assist in setting up academic accommodations for students with
documented disabilities by reviewing disability documentation
and creating an individualized accommodation plan
Thus, to start the registration process it is important to have your disability
documentation in order
How to Register: Initial Thoughts
For students living with ADHD, Asperger’s or an LD: We require a copy of a psycho-educational
assessment (completed within the last 3 - 5 years, or over the age of 18)
Assessments must be completed by a registered psychologist or psychiatrist, trained to test for, and diagnose, the condition
How to Register (1/4)
For students living with a medical or mental health condition or sensory impairments: We require the Disability Documentation
Form to be completed by your doctor, specialist, psychologist or psychiatrist who is aware of your disability and can speak to the impact it has on your academics (pick up copy of our medical documentation form)
How to Register (2/4)
Documentation must clearly state functional limitations with recommendations for accommodation required for disability reasons
Must include direct, explained correlation between diagnosis and accommodation(s) recommended
How to Register (3/4)
Common Question: What if I only have an old assessment, or an IEP with no assessment?
You can book a meeting with a Facilitator to discuss options for getting updated assessment completed, but depending on date of assessment or IEP, we may not be able to provide accommodations until a full assessment is received
How to Register: Q
Financial Support: Some workplace insurance plans can help
with updated assessments Check with your service provider to
determine if a psycho-educational assessment would be covered
OSAP loans and bursaries (to follow)
How to Register: Cost Coverage
When documentation acquired, next step is to connect with AC front desk to book registration appointment with an Accommodation Facilitator
Connect with us ASAP, as AC becomes very busy when school year begins (2 - 3 week appt wait times)
Please remember, you must bring/fax appropriate documentation before you can book an appointment
How to Register (4/4)
Please be aware that while we always do our best in getting back to you promptly, the Access Centre is a very busy place:Appointments in September/January: 2-3 weeksAppointments (rest of year): 1-2 weeksReturning e-mails: 2-3 business daysReturning phone calls: 1-2 business days• Note: Please register with us as early on as
you can• Note: The above times are estimates only
A Word on Wait Times…
CONFIDENTIALITY
All AC staff have signed an oath of confidentiality: we will not disclose your info to anyone outside of the AC without your written permission and will NEVER disclose your diagnosis 1. Signed consent to speak with your profs about AC
registration and accommodation2. Confirmation of AC registration 3. Answering profs’ questions/concerns
Confidentiality
Confidentiality: Q
Common Question: What if my mom or dad calls to find out how I am doing, or if I am using my accommodations?
Under our confidentiality agreement, unless specified otherwise, we cannot respond
OSAP & BSWD
Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) & Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Persons with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PDSE)
Only available to students who APPLY and are ELIGIBLE for OSAP
BSWD
Step 1: Apply for OSAP Funding http://osap.gov.on.ca
Step 2: Meet with Accommodation Facilitator
BSWD: How to Apply (1/2)
BSWD: Expenses (Examples)
BSWD ELIGIBLE EXPENSES*• Note takers• Tutoring services• Psycho-educational assessments• Specialized transportation for
students with mobility impairments• Alternative to text material• Digital Voice Recorders• Vision aids (i.e. Zoom Text) • FM Systems and repairs• Voice to Text, Text to Voice and
other assistive software
INELEGIBLE EXPENSES• Non-disability related
educational expenses, such as tuition, residence or books
• Expenses not related to a student’s attendance in PSE
• Expenses typically incurred by all students participating in PSE courses ( i.e. camera in photography course)
• Expenses incurred during time periods that OSAP or OSBP funding was not provided
*Note: These are examples only.
Step 3: Complete BSWD/CSG-PDSE application with your Facilitator Note: You must obtain necessary quotes
Step 4: Provide Receipts to the Financial Aid Office If funding request approved, cheque will be mailed
to you to purchase the equipment/ service(s) Note: You will be asked to provide receipts
BSWD: How to Apply (2/2)
BSWD: Q
Common Question: If I am taking a semester off, can I apply for the equipment early to be ready for the next semester? Funds are only available to
students in the semester in which the expense is incurred AND where the student is registered in classes
BSWD: Q
Common Question: What if I am not OSAP eligible? If you are not OSAP eligible
you will not qualify for the CSG-CDSE or BSWD, however you can check out other funding options through the Ryerson listing of scholarships and awards at www.ryerson.ca/currentstudents/awards/index.html
Reminders & Responsibilities
Accommodations = Responsibilities
Duty to inform profs
of AC registration
Negotiating accommodation requests with profs
Test booking procedures
How and when to use the Access Centre for advocacy purposes
Student Responsibilities
“Self-advocacy refers to ‘an individual’s ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate or assert his or her own interests, desires, needs, and rights. It involves making informed decisions and taking responsibility for those decisions’ (VanReusen et al., 1994). Self-knowledge is the first step towards advocating for your rights. You need to know your strengths, needs, and interests before you can begin to advocate.” (Kent State University, www.ehhs.kent.edu/cite/CASAP/docs/SADef+tips.pdf)
Self-Advocacy
FAQ
FAQ:
What is best way to disclose registration/disability to profs?
What do you do with my personal information/ documentation?
Will my AC registration appear on my transcript or otherwise be known by future schools or employers?
How can I request/arrange reduced course load?
“I live with a learning disability. With the help of the Access Centre, Ryerson community, and my own hard work, I now see that so-called ‘disabilities’ can serve as positive and motivational catalysts. I now strive to be the very best I can be, am inspired to work harder than most others around me, and strongly encourage others with learning disabilities and mental health issues to do the same.” –2nd Year Radio and Television student
What We Do: Testimonial
Questions?
Thank You!
Monday – Friday, 9am - 4:30pm (closed 12pm - 1pm)
POD 62B, 350 Victoria Street (area connecting Jorgenson Hall to Library)
416-979-5290 [email protected]
www.ryerson.ca/studentservices/accesscentre/ @RUAccessCentre
Contact