Living with learning disabilities at University

We posted several articles recently about helping students with transitions - both in the early high school grades and in the final years of high school.  We also shared some information on how Bridgeway supports students preparing to transition to public or post-secondary school programs.  Today, we're thrilled to offer some insight into life at university with learning disabilities from guest blogger Kim Musgrave of MSVU's Disabilities Services team.  Please share this post with anyone you think might benefit!

Rhonda & the Bridgeway team

Students with Disabilities at Mount Saint Vincent University:

A Brief Overview of Procedures

 

How do students obtain accommodations?

Upon acceptance to the Mount, students who require accommodations must register with Disability Services as soon as possible, preferably prior to the beginning of term. Early communication will help to ensure they receive accommodations in a timely manner.

This initial meeting is an excellent opportunity for students with disabilities to further develop their self-advocacy skills in a safe and supportive environment. The following questions give an example of what the student can expect in the initial interview with Disability Services.  Practicing these questions will prepare them well for this consultation.     

 

1. Tell me about yourself and your disability history (i.e., when were you diagnosed, what supports have been put into place; what medications are you taking, if any, etc.)
2. Explain your disability.  What do you consider your strengths and weaknesses?
3. How does your disability impact you when studying? In class? In testing situations? During presentations? Etc?
4. What accommodations do you feel you need to support you and why? 
5. What has helped/worked for you in the past?
6. What do you see as your role/responsibilities as a student with a disability in a post-secondary institution as compared to high school?
7. How comfortable are you talking to your professors about your disability, your needs, and asking them for extra help?
8. What are your concerns and questions (e.g., about the university environment, unsure of procedures, anxious about being new to campus, unsure of how to communicate with professors, first time away from home, etc.)?

The more knowledgeable the student is of his/her disability and needs, the better able Disability Services will be to support them. 

The following procedure will then be followed;

1.      The student must provide (preferably at the initial meeting) written documentation that is satisfactory to the University, with respect to the disability.

·         This documentation must be current within five years for learning disabilities (psycho-educational assessments) and within six months for other disabilities.

·         Documentation should contain a diagnosis, impact of disability on the student’s learning and behaviour, and the types of accommodations recommended. 

2.      An Accommodation Agreement is drawn up.

3.      The Coordinator will submit accommodation requests to the instructors.

4.   Students must then discuss their accommodations with each instructor.

5.   Students must make arrangements for accommodated midterm and final exams, in advance of exam dates (there are submission deadlines).

6.   Students must notify Disability Services each term, if they require accommodations.

Is funding available?

Funding grants for equipment and software (i.e. digital recorder, Kurzweil 3000) as well as for note takers and tutors may be available.

The following procedure should be followed;

1. Apply for Student Loan & indicate you are a student with a disability.

·         You do not need to be eligible for a student loan in order to apply for these disability-related grants/funding

·         http://studentloans.ednet.ns.ca/.  Apply early, in June!

 

2. Submit the “Medical Assessment Form” requested.

3. You will receive a letter stating whether or not you have met the disability criteria.

·         If you are not classified as a person with a disability, you can not apply for this funding

 

4. When you receive Student Loan paperwork indicating eligibility or ineligibility, schedule an appointment with Disability Services.

5.      Give Disability Services information needed to complete the funding application.

·         Equipment/software (goods) quotes that you have collected

·         Note taker/tutor (services) information

·         For information about funding grants, go to: http://psds.ednet.ns.ca/

 

6.      Disability Services submits application.

·         We may be able to submit the equipment/software application first, and then follow-up with a services application.

 

7. In approximately 4 weeks, you will be notified about whether or not your funding application has been approved.

 
For more information on Disability Services at the Mount, go to http://www.msvu.ca/en/home/studentservices/disabilityservices.