SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS

Student Support Specialists work with students, staff and faculty to identify students’ strengths and barriers to learning. They develop students’ Individual Accommodation Plans and work with College employees to create accessible environments.

INTERPRETING/CART

Sign language interpreters are available for students who are deaf to facilitate communication during appointments and strategy sessions, and in the classroom. Arrangements can be made to provide students who are hard of hearing with Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART).

EXAM ACCOMMODATION

Students who require extra time, specialized equipment, alternate format of exams or an isolation room to reduce distractions may write exams on the 5th floor in the Centre for Excellence in Learning Supports (CELS) if instructors are unable to accommodate them in the classroom.

ALTERNATE FORMATS OF MATERIALS

Materials for courses and exams can be prepared in alternate formats that include, but are not limited to, digital audio, Digital Accessible Information SYstem (DAISY), Braille and large print.

STUDENT STRATEGIES AND SKILLS COURSES

CELS has developed three specialized courses: Reading Enhancement, Computer Writing and English Strategies for students with challenges in specific areas of English Language Arts. At mid-term, instructors may refer students who are having these challenges to CELS for an interview.

ACADEMIC STRATEGISTS

Academic Strategists provide individual and group sessions to help students learn strategies for taking tests, taking notes, studying, dealing with anxiety and learning course content. We individualize this support to help students use their strengths and address their challenges.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (AT) AND EQUIPMENT

An AT lab is available in CELS for students who need specialized technology. The lab is open the same hours as the library and AT staff is available between 8 am and 5 pm on weekdays. Training and AT assessments are available and students with disabilities may be eligible for funding to purchase their own equipment and/or software. Ergonomic chairs, obus cushions, magnifying glasses and other enabling equipment may be borrowed from CELS.

PEER NOTE TAKERS

Students requiring a peer note taker will make arrangements with their classroom instructors. Student Support Specialists can provide assistance and CELS will provide non-carbon copy paper.