Graduate Student Perspective

Introducing the Taskforce on the Graduate Disabled Student Experience

The passing in 2005 of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) has radically changed the post-secondary environment in Ontario. In response to the demands of the AODA, the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS), which is responsible for maintaining the quality of graduate programs in Ontario, has developed a white paper: "Accommodating Graduate Students with Disabilities". David will present how this white paper does not sufficiently discuss the full graduate student experience. In response, The Taskforce on the Graduate Student Experience was formed and David will present the Taskforce’s work to date and its vision for the future.

Speakers | David Fourney |

Voices from the Borderland Between Deaf and Hearing Culture: A Deafened Graduate Student's Experience with Accessibility

Insights from deafness may be applied to improve the listening environment and educational experience of all students. This session provides first-hand experience from a deafened graduate student and an experienced university instructor. Counselors, administrators and faculty will be challenged to move beyond solutions such as note takers, interpreters and adaptive technologies, to consider the mutual practice of listening as one of a number of viable and cost-effective approaches to accessibility. Elizabeth will present what accessibility looks like for the estimated 2.8 million hard of hearing or deafened Canadians who lost their hearing after they acquired language, and who live in a space between the world of the “hearing� and that of the culturally and signing “Deaf�.

Speakers | Elizabeth Cherniak |

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