Student Experience & Transition

Struggle to Succeed

Learning disabilities are life-long conditions that affect all areas in one’s life including school, and work. Coping with learning disabilities is challenging; however, with the appropriate support; success in post-secondary education and work can be achieved. Jennifer will talk about her struggles and achievements in academia. Being diagnosed with dyslexia in her third year of university actually contributed to her successes and she believes the key is utilizing coping and learning strategies to manage a disability. She believes a disability does not control your life and does not put limits on what you can achieve. Jennifer will also address the importance of adapting coping strategies when transitioning to the workplace.

Speakers | Jennifer Richardson |

Hard of Hearing at a small Liberal Arts University Survival Guide

Jasmine asserts that students with disabilities can and must be active in promoting, discussing, and fighting for their own needs. Disabled students should know what works for them, what helps them and what others — teachers, service providers, peers — can do to assist. Jasmine will present her own experience as a hard of hearing student at Sir Wilfred Grenville College, a small college which is part of Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador. She will discuss ways students can improve their experience, be active in their own learning, and be involved in setting up resources and support systems for themselves.

Speakers | Jasmine Gillis |

Standardized Testing and Accommodations

Standardized high-stakes testing such as the LSAT, MCAT, or GRE act as gate keepers to access some forms of higher education. These standardized tests can present particular problems to the disabled population when accommodations are not granted, when the process of getting those accommodations are discriminatory, or when accommodations are granted but the test is invalidated through flagging. Emma will first give a brief history of standardized tests and discuss some of the literature that questions popular myths, such as, the idea that the accommodation of extra time can affect the validity of the test. Emma will look at some current complaints in the lack of accommodation through the examination of three legal cases, as well as speak to her personal experience applying for accommodation in the LSAT. She will also discuss ways to access, receive, and benefit from accommodations on standardized testing, and ultimately ways to achieve educational goals.

Speakers | Emma Arenson |

Top