Reducing barriers for every student
Taking notes during a lecture or writing a mid-term exam in the time allotted by a professor may seem like routine tasks for a university student, but they can be challenging, even impossible, for some members of the student body.
Every year, Concordia’s Access Centre for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) helps hundreds of students with disabilities stay in school and succeed academically. “We are reducing barriers,” says the centre’s new manager, Gordon Dionne. “Increase access, reduce barriers, that’s our focus.”
Founded in 1980, the centre provides a variety of services including sophisticated computer software to assist in reading and writing. It also offers exam accommodations, such as individual or small-group testing, extended time for a test, a quiet testing location, and transcribers.
There are also two computer labs, which provide adaptive technology for a variety of special needs, including visual impairment. The labs are equipped with a refreshable Braille display, text screen enlargers, a large print keyboard, and speech and text-to-speech software.
The centre helps students with a wide range of disabilities, or multiple disabilities, according to Dionne, who notes that approximately one-quarter of students who use the centre have learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. In addition, many students have more than one recognized disability, such as mobility and hand-coordination issues, or anxiety and depression. The centre also coordinates sign-language interpreting services for students with severe hearing loss.
“Across North America, there is a rise in what we call the invisible disabilities. In Quebec, we call them the emerging clienteles. They are generally people with mental health concerns, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder and Asperger’s syndrome,” says Dionne.
“The services make a world of difference [for these students] in their ability to function and attend classes like everyone else and succeed,” he says. “Students recognize the importance of the accommodations and rely on them as a gateway to demonstrate their potential.”
The transition between Cegep or high school and university is a significant one for many students, acknowledges Dionne. “There are a lot of firsts: first time away from home, first time on their own.” Often that adjustment can cause additional stress, depression or anxiety for students with disabilities, which can have an impact on their studies.
Whether it be for a term, for the year, or for the period of an entire degree, the centre offers assistance to those students and others with chronic physical health conditions or learning disabilities.
"The Access Centre for Students with Disabilities at Concordia is among the best. Never, in the past, have I received as much help with my disability, nor have I ever been offered so many options. The ACSD's staff is friendly and always willing to help," says a student who uses the centre’s services.
It’s that kind of feedback that motivates Dionne, whose mandate includes building new services for students, increasing the centre’s visibility on campus and fostering relationships with the Faculties.
Enhancing the centre’s profile will help recruit much-needed volunteers for services such as note-taking in class, and to spread the word to those in need of assistance.
Prior to joining Concordia earlier this year, Dionne, who has a graduate degree in psychology, was an advisor to students with disabilities at McGill.
“Gordon comes to Concordia with a wealth of experience, solid expertise, enthusiasm and an innovative approach,” says Brigitte St-Laurent, director of Advocacy and Support Services. “He is the perfect catalyst for our experienced team. His leadership will help assure that Concordia remains at the forefront of providing access to students with disabilities.”
The centre is located on the Sir George Williams Campus in Room H-580-3 of the Henry F. Hall Building (1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.).
Related links:
• Access Centre for Students with Disabilities
• Quebec Inter-University Association of Counsellors for Students with Disabilities