Introduction

Disabilities can be permanent or temporary, and they can affect different aspects of a student’s functioning, such as learning, mental health, physical health, or sensory abilities. The article explains the process of obtaining medical documentation, creating an Accommodation Plan, and choosing the appropriate accommodations for each student. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between students, faculty, and Student Services, and the benefits of learning strategies and assistive technologies. The article concludes with a summary of the main points and a call to action for faculty and staff to refer students to Student Services if they disclose a disability.

Please note that the information here is specific to the internal processes at St. Clair College. St. Clair College Student Services is committed to supporting students with both permanent and temporary disabilities.

Types of Disabilities

The following list provides examples of various disabilities, including but not limited to:

Permanent Disabilities

• Learning Disabilities (LDs)
• Mental Health (e.g., depression or anxiety)
• Chronic Medical Conditions (e.g., Cerebral Palsy, Seizure Disorders, Chronic Fatigue)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Physical, visual, or hearing impairments

Temporary Disabilities

• Fractured body part (e.g., broken leg/arm)
• Medical emergency (e.g., hospitalization or surgery)

Documentation

It is the students’ responsibility to submit medical documentation from a regulated healthcare practitioner to support functional limitations. The documentation is then assessed to determine eligibility for accommodations. Students are protected by legislation (OHRC, n.d.), and, therefore, students, except those with Learning Disabilities, are not obligated to disclose their diagnosis; this information is considered confidential and private.

Accommodation Plans

Student Services collaborates with students to develop an Accommodation Plan tailored to each student’s needs and functional limitations, emphasizing the flexibility needed to foster student success. Once written consent is provided, the Accommodation Plans are emailed to faculty members and pertinent staff.

Academic Accommodations

Academic accommodations are implemented to level the playing field, providing an equal opportunity for students to obtain an education (OHRC, n.d.). In consultation with Counselors, students decide which accommodations are included or excluded on their Accommodation Plan.

The four most common accommodations include:

• More time for quizzes, tests, or exams
• Extensions for assignment deadlines
• Notetaking services
• Use of Assistive Technology

Working Collaboratively with Faculty

Student Services collaborates with students, faculty members, and the college, recognizing that collaboration is key. Everyone works towards a common goal: student success. This partnership allows us to share different perspectives and expertise, identifying barriers, concerns, and potential solutions.

Questions about an Accommodation Plan?

If you have any questions about the Accommodation Plan or how it directly applies to an individual student, please contact the Counsellor listed on the student’s Accommodation Plan. The first step would be to reach out by telephone or email to the Counselor listed on the Plan.

Students’ diagnoses will not be disclosed, but a discussion surrounding functional limitations is possible. For instance, a student may struggle with short or long-term memory or occasionally be absent due to disability-related reasons. Student Services can help with brainstorming strategies on how to best support our target population. We can also examine alternative evaluation formats where students are still able to demonstrate the course requirements. Providing a variety of assessments will promote task completion, engagement, and success.

Learning Strategies and Assistive Technology

Our service extends beyond academic accommodations; we also offer support with learning strategies and/or assistive technologies. The Learning Strategist and Assistive Technologist meet with students individually or in groups. Learning Strategies focuses on academic skills, such as time management or test-taking strategies, while Assistive Technologies includes software such as Kurzweil and Dragon.

We encourage faculty and support staff to direct students to Student Services should they disclose a disability, and an Accommodation Plan has not been set up.

Summary

• Student success is a collaborative effort.
• Students with disabilities self-identify as having a permanent or temporary disability, and an Accommodation Plan is created.
• Accommodation, learning strategies, and assistive technologies can be used to support students’ learning in and out of the classroom.
• Student Services supports both students and faculty members and is willing to address any questions surrounding accommodations, processes, learning strategies, or assistive software. We can also arrange a meeting to brainstorm strategies and solutions.

References

Some parts of this article were remixed from the article Working with Accessibility Services by Niagara College licensed under CC BY 4.0 International.