Supporting Students With Disabilities

Mohawk College is committed to equal opportunity for students with disabilities. The College provides fair and equal access to educational services, programs and facilities and acknowledges the unique requirements of individuals with disabilities. Field placement is the experiential extension of the academic curriculum of the Social Service Worker Program.

Students are expected to meet program requirements with the assistance of accommodations if necessary. Accommodations are “special arrangements made so that persons with disabilities can fully participate” (Ontario Human Rights Code). They are put in place to support optimum learning opportunities for students with disabilities.

Accommodations are provided to minimize the impact of the student’s disability and include the following three principles:

• 1. Respect for Dignity – Accommodations in the learning environment/workplace should respect the dignity of each student and embrace qualities of physical and psychological integrity and
  2. Individualized Accommodation – Each student’s needs are unique, and accommodations will be based on the individual student’s
  3. Inclusion and Full Participation – Each student has a right to accommodations that promote their inclusion and full-participation within the practicum

Practicum agencies and supervisors can expect the College to take an active role in ensuring that accommodations are developed and implemented to support the transition to the placement setting.

The student has a responsibility to advise the College and the practicum when there is a need for accommodation. Accommodations may be requested in order to carry out practicum responsibilities safely and effectively. It is expected that students participate in discussing and implementing agreed upon accommodations in consultation with the practicum supervisor, Co-Ordinator, Faculty Seminar Instructor and Accessible Learning Services staff.

The student has the right not to disclose a disability, but under these circumstances loses the right to special accommodation.

Together, the College and the field placement setting can facilitate opportunities for students with disabilities within the Social Service Worker Program.