The CSD is ahead of the game

By Vanessa Burka

burk0146@algonquincollege.com

With technology continuously advancing, the college’s services are making sure programs and opportunities are becoming more accessible to students with disabilities.
Alison West Armstrong, a disabilities counsellor for the Centre for Students with Disabilities at the college, said the college has a responsibility to provide students with the appropriate academic accommodations and support depending on the type of disability.
“Last year we helped 1,300 students,” said West Armstrong. “I want the students with disabilities out there to know that they aren’t alone and that we have lots of resources for their use and disposal.”
Aside from the apparent visible disabilities, such as impaired vision or being wheelchair bound, according to the CSD, statistics show there are more students with an invisible disability. Attention deficit disorder, brain injuries, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities are some examples.
In order to receive services from the CSD, students need to voluntarily make an appointment with the councillor. The student would then receive an Individual Student Plan, a written statement of the accommodations he or she will receive. An ISP could require that the student receive a reduced course load, withdrawal dates or could oblige that test taking take place in the CSD test room, among many other things. Students can be set up with intake and assessment advisors, learning strategists or assistive technology.
Christine Kelsey, an assistive technologist for the CSD, helps students find technology that will assist them with their strengths and help them minimize their weaknesses.
“For example if a student has impaired hearing, I will help them by offering them an interpreter using sign language, digital note takers, voice activated software or braille textbooks,” said Kelsey. “We want to make students are aware of these services so that they can effectively succeed at Algonquin.”
Over the past few years, Kelsey noted that the number of students approaching the CSD has increased, along with the alternative technology offered within the services.
The CSD Adaptive Technology Lab, located in C101, was created to provide students registered with the CSD a quieter and fully accessible computer work space and stations.
Trish Faillace, 25, a first-year game development student said she was really impressed with what the lab offered, along with the rest of CSD’s services.
“It was a great idea to create an accessible computer lab, especially for people with mobility issues,” said Faillace. “There’s magnified software and it offers different services for students with hearing problems.”
Faillace, who suffers from cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, said she was impressed with the college’s attention to students with disabilities while manufacturing the buildings.
“I used to attend the University of Ottawa and it definitely wasn’t as accessible there,” she said. “Algonquin was built in a way that’s very easy to get around ... If something was to break down, CSD gave us a special number to call and whether it’s an elevator or a ramp, it will be fixed within the next 24 hours.”
Along with educating and advertising during orientation week, CSD also stressed its importance toward the teachers and faculty by holding lunch and learns and workshops on campus.
“We just want students to have an equal opportunity,” said Armstrong. “All students will walk across that stage at graduation having learnt the same things.”