teaching students who have disABILITIES -- Resources

Part III: Resources

Brock Resources

Counselling Centre

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to noon, 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Special Needs Unit

The Special Needs Unit was established in 1990 to provide services to students who are academically inconvenienced by physical, medical, mental-health or learning disabilities. The Unit promotes equal accessibility (physical, program, attitudinal). The main focus of the Special Needs Unit is to ease the accessibility of a university education for students with disabilities. It does this by providing the following services:

E=Environment: It works together with others in the Brock community to develop an equitable and accessible environment so that students with disabilities are fully included in the learning and living process on campus.
A=Advocacy: It helps students learn to advocate for themselves and, when needed, it advocates for accommodations for individual students.
S=Services for Students: It recommends accommodations for students. It also provides test and exam accommodations, note-takers, technical assistance, individual and group assistance in developing compensatory learning strategies, and self-advocacy skills.
E=Education & Awareness: It provides education and consultation to faculty and staff members and students regarding disabilities and accommodations. It believes that education and awareness are the keys to creating an accessible climate within Brock.

Procedures for Accessing Services through Special Needs

The student must initiate contact with the Special Needs Unit . Faculty members should encourage students to make an appointment for an intake interview.
Students will be required to bring in professional documentation of their disability in order for accommodations to be established. If students do not have documentation of their disability or a disability is only suspected, they will be referred to the proper sources for documentation.
During the intake interview, the needs of the student are discussed and documentation reviewed (if available). Once the needs are documented, recommendations will be made for accommodations. These are discussed with the student. Student responsibilities are also discussed. Students are asked to sign a general release of information so that Special Needs may contact faculty members as needed.
After recommendations for accommodation are made, students are instructed to discuss their needs and the recommendations for accommodations with their professors. Letters of introduction outlining the recommended accommodations are sent to professors for first year students; upper year students may bring a letter when meeting with the faculty member at the start of the term.
Faculty members should contact the Special Needs Unit immediately if they do not approve of the accommodations or have questions.
Students are encouraged to negotiate accommodations directly with their professors. Faculty members may provide accommodations to their students; however, since some students require adaptive equipment, it is recognized that faculty members will not be able to accommodate all students' needs. The Special Needs Unit will provide assistance where possible. Students are required to give the Special Needs Unit written notification five days in advance if they plan to write a test within the Special Needs Unit. They should inform faculty members that they will be writing with Special Needs. Faculty members should send a copy of the test to Special Needs. Students need to inform Special Needs two weeks before the end of classes if they will be writing examinations regularly scheduled through the Registrar, with Special Needs. Exams will be obtained through the Registrar's Office, except in emergency situations.
A student's accommodations are reviewed at the Special Needs Unit, with the student, at least once a year.

Technical Services

The Special Needs Unit has a resource centre with a limited amount of equipment. Most equipment has been moved to the library, to make it more accessible. Students can arrange with their case manager to have access to library equipment, which is stored in locked study carrels. This equipment includes the Kurzweil heading machine, VISTA and VERT computer software, Vantage CCD reader, Macintosh computer and IBM compatible computer. Technical assistance and training is available by appointment, through the Special Needs Unit. Tape recorders and FM Transmitter/Receivers are also available through the Special Needs Unit.

Learning Skills Services

The Learning Skills staff can help students find the learning strategies they need to demonstrate their true potential when faced with academic challenges. Workshops are offered at a nominal cost to address student needs in study skills, essay writing and relaxation techniques. In addition, Learning Skills consultants are available on a very limited basis for individual appointments to address students' specific learning needs.
Schmon Tower, 409, extension 3242

Personal Counselling Unit

The professional staff of the Personal Counselling Unit offer confidential, free, individual and group services for students who are experiencing personal/social difficulties while studying at Brock.
Schmon Tower, 411, extension 3240

Career Services

In Career Services, our goal is to assist students in developing realistic career plans based on choice and planning. This is done with a focus on individual needs and aspirations. We hire students to staff our Resource Area and they are available to respond to the career exploration and job search issues of students and graduates. Students with disABILITIES are able to access all the services offered through the Career Services Unit of the Counselling Centre.

This year, we have hired two "Special Needs Career Assistants" to develop career and employment resources specific to students with disabilities. In addition, they will maintain a Rights and Issues section of the Resource Library, research (on an ongoing basis) the career exploration and job search needs of special needs students, identify resources to be produced in alternate formats, andÊtrain other Career Assistants in the area of special needs.
Schmon Tower, 411, extension 3240

Health Services

Students are encouraged to not wait until they are sick or have an emergency to discover Health Services. A team of nurses and physicians provide medical/emergency care and treatment, as well as health education and counselling. They help students cope with sore throats, weight concerns or stress; round out their education with information about contraception or sexually-transmitted diseases; provide referrals; and give allergy and/or immunization injections. If the student requires information about medical concerns or issues, Health Services is an excellent resource. Students may contact them with any questions.

The visits are strictly confidential. A health fee is charged to all full-time students at the time of registration. A student is considered full-time if he or she is registered for a minimum of 3.0 credits. However, if students are assessed by the Special Needs Unit and are considered working to their full capacity while taking less than 3.0 credits, then they are eligible to pay the health fee. Any student considering this option must contact the Special Needs Unit at the beginning of the Fall semester.

The health fee entitles the student to use the facilities of Health Services (appointments, etc.) and to a special (8-month) student accident-insurance plan to help cover prescription medication ($25- deductible) and accident expenses. OHIP coverage is required for all physician visits.
Thistle East Corridor Room 261, extension 3243

Library

It is the policy of Brock University to provide equal access to library information for all students who request it, and thereby help students to become as self-sufficient as possible. Students with special needs should not hesitate to ask any Library staff member for assistance. Doug Suarez, Reference Librarian, is responsible for coordinating library special needs services. He can be reached in his office in the Reference Department in the Library, or by phone at Ext. 4083. Pat Wilson, Reference Librarian is the backup librarian; she can be reached in her office in the Reference Department, or by phone at Ext. 3234.

It must be stressed that the library assists students with library material requests, or related requests for study workspace. Specifically, the following services are provided: Accessibility

Students with mobility problems can freely access the library through the Main Library entrance by pushing a clearly marked automatic door button.

Desk height service counters are provided at the Circulation Desk, Reserve Desk, and Reference Desk to allow wheelchair patrons easy access to library staff at those areas.
Catalogue access is provided through a special height-adjustable workstation desk and a SearchMe catalogue terminal that has voice- over (via headphones, available from the Coordinator) and print enlarging capabilities (via a mouse) to assist persons with visual special needs.
Access to the GEAC library online catalogue is possible if a student has his/her own personal computer. Such remote/off-site access is easy, provided the student has a modem, by phoning Computing and Communications Services at ext. 3497 to arrange the proper computer settings. GEAC can also be accessed via the university Gopher Internet service either from a student's personal computer or via a specially-designated Gopher PC located in the Library. Students must have a university Gopher account number to access the Gopher, but this can be arranged by phoning Communications Services as well.
Students with Gopher accessibility can also tap into other library catalogues and other worldwide Internet information sources.
Emergency phones, at wheelchair height, are available on all upper floors of the library.
The Library elevator services all library floors and can easily accommodate wheelchair access.
Library staff will assist students in retrieving materials from the book stacks, as time permits; please inquire at the Circulation Desk for further information. In addition, special arrangements can be made for those students who require them (e.g., extended book loans, telephone renewals, etc.), but these are best arranged for individual students through the Coordinator, Doug Suarez, as required.
Library tours can be arranged for individual special needs students as can individual one-on-one assistance as required. Please contact the Coordinator or any Reference Librarian.
Guide dogs are allowed in the library.
A wheelchair accessible washroom is available on the 5th floor of the library.

Print Sources on Tape

Students who require course books on cassette tape can request this service through the Coordinator, Doug Suarez. These requests must be done as SOON AS POSSIBLE to allow the outside agencies that supply these tapes adequate processing time to fill requests. Not all requests can be satisfied.

In some cases, articles or parts of texts can be transcribed to tape if enough time is allowed for this process and the materials can be supplied by the student.

(N.B. tapes are produced in 4 track format; it is therefore necessary for the student to have access to a 4 track tape player in order to listen to the tapes. The library has access to one such player and can lend it out to individual students).

CD-ROM Searches

Students can arrange for individual assistance on any of the CD ROM data bases that the library provides for journal article searching. There is no charge for this service. Please contact the Coordinator, or any Reference Librarian for further information.

Study Carrels

A limited number of closed study carrels have been set aside to accommodate students with special needs. A student requesting a carrel should consult the Special Needs Unit. There is a small charge for this service.

The library also provides three height-adjustable workstations, adjacent to the Documents Collection on the main floor of the library. These have signs posted to indicate that they are reserved for students with special needs. There are also lockers available in this area for students with special needs. Please contact Doug Suarez, Coordinator, for more information.

Photocopying

Photocopy Service staff will assist special needs students, as time permits, who have difficulty operating the Library photocopy machines. Please inquire either at the Photocopy Service department on the 5th floor of the Library, or inquire at the Circulation Desk on the main floor.

Students with visual difficulties can arrange to have Reading Reserve materials or other articles photocopied in enlarged format, if necessary. Charges are based on the vendor card rate of 8 cents per copy. Students can arrange for this service through the Coordinator, or by contacting the Photocopy Service, 5th floor of the Library.

Equipment

The Library has a four track cassette tape machine, two regular two track cassette machines, a talking calculator, and a Visualtek magnifier that are housed in room 601. Please contact the Coordinator for assistance.

Magnifying glasses and a set of headphones for the Special Needs SearchMe workstation are housed in the Coordinator's office in the Reference Department. Please inquire at the Reference Desk for further assistance.

Doug Suarez, M.A., M.L.S.
Reference Librarian Sociology/Economics/Business
Brock University
St. Catharines, ON, CANADA, L2S 3A1
tel (905)-688-5550 ext. 4083
FAX (905)-988-5490

The Internet

Faculty members are encouraged to use the computer for communications with students with disabilities, where it makes sense. Thus, for instance, assignments placed on Gopher or the Web would allow a student with a visual impairment to read it using the enlargement capabilities to which they have access, and no further work need be done by the faculty member. Allowing students to submit their assigments or projects by e- mail might also be very useful for certain impairments.

Community Resources

AIDS COMMITTEE OF NIAGARA

541 Glenridge Ave
St. Catharines, ON L2R 6S5
984-8684

Provides education/advocacy/support.

ASSISTIVE DEVICES PROGRAM

Ontario Ministry of Health
(800) 268-6021

CANADIAN HEARING SOCIETY

2301 King Street
Hamilton, ON L8K 1X6
(905) 545-9931

Offers services to deaf and hard of hearing persons, advocating their interests and promoting their rights. Services include rehabilitation and social services, counseling, interpreting, technical aids information and assistance, agency referrals, sign language and speech reading courses, health education and community development.

CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

St. Catharines Branch
15 Wellington St.
St. Catharines, ON
641-5222

CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND (CNIB)

Region of Niagara Office
309-63 Church St.
St. Catharines, ON L2R 3C4
688-0022

LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF ST. CATHARINES

28 Prince St.
St. Catharines, ON
641-1021

LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH NIAGARA

370 South Pelham Rd Unit 6
RR #5
Welland, ON L3B 5N8
788-3144

Provides information on learning disabilities and services available to meet the needs of persons who have learning disabilities. Has evening programs (children), Adult LD Self Help Group, Parent Support Group and Tutorial Program.

LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

1-800-387-0619

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY

St. Catharines and District Chapter
125 Welland Ave.
St. Catharines, ON L2R 2N5
682-6134

Provides information and support to persons with MS and their families, as well as various programs and support groups.

NIAGARA CENTRE FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

75 Lincoln Street West
Welland, ON L3C 5J3
734-1060

Organization run by and for persons with disabilities. Provides information and referral on all programs and services concerning all disabilities. Library features videos, cassettes for the blind, newsletters and publications regarding disabilities.

ONTARIO HEAD INJURY ASSOCIATION

23 Hanover Drive Unit 8
PO Box 2338 Station B
St. Catharines, ON L2M 7M7
641-8877

Promotes programs to reduce the incidence of brain injury, to influence public policy and to increase resources available to persons living with the effects of head injury. Resource library of information pertinent to both professionals and persons who have sustained head injury.

ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

1 St. Paul St. Suite 603
St. Catharines, ON L2R 7L4
684-7406

Administers Human Rights Code to achieve equal treatment for all people in the areas of employment, housing, services, facilities, contract and vocational associations.

ONTARIO MARCH OF DIMES, NIAGARA

Regional Centre
Brock Business and Industrial Park
3300 Merrittville Highway
PO Box 128
Thorold, ON L2V 3Y7
687-8484

Assists adults with physical disabilities to live meaningful and independent lives.

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION BRANCH

110 James St
Fifth floor
PO Box 176
St. Catharines, ON L2R 6S4
688-3022

Assists persons who have physical, mental, emotional or learning disability to become employable. Persons must be sixteen years of age and have difficulty keeping or finding employment due to a disability. Services include vocational assessment, training, support services and job placement.

Guidebook References

Frado, L.: Learning diversity: Accommodations in colleges and universities otional or learning disability to become employable. Persons must be sixteen years of age and have difficulty keeping or finding employment due to a disability. Services include vocational assessment, training, support services and job placement.

Guidebook References

Frado, L.
Learning diversity: Accommodations in colleges and universities