This document provides information from a presentation for prospective and current Ryerson University students with disabilities. It outlines the services provided by the Access Centre, including implementing academic accommodations and assisting with funding options. The presentation addresses common questions about accommodations, the registration process, maintaining confidentiality, and the various support services available to students.

1. Ryerson University Access Centre
for students with disabilities
Prospective Student and
Parent Information
Session
Summer 2013

2. Will my accommodations
transfer over and be the
same as high school.
TRUE OR FALSE?
Suzy
Student
Not exactly…
Frannie
Facilitator

3. Initial questions and concerns?

4. Who we serve
What we “do”
The registration process
Course loads, OSAP and Bursary
All the rest
Outline

5. Who We
Serve

6. The Access Centre will serve
all of my student needs while
I am at Ryerson.
TRUE OR FALSE?
Stacey
Student
Not entirely…
Fred
Facilitator

7. The Role of the Access Centre
What we DO:
Put academic accommodations in place
Educate and support students being their own advocates
Maintaining a confidential environment
Help with BSWD funding
Serve as a liaison to other RU and community resources

8. What we DON’T do (& who does)
Which Service? Where it’s provided
Counselling Therapeutic  CSDC
Academic  Department
Housing Student Housing Services
General Financial Aid Student Financial Assistance
Library or academic research
access
Diane Michaud (Library Services for
Persons with Disabilities)
Registration Info/ New Student info http://www.ryerson.ca/currentstud
ents/new/

9. Access
Centre
Learning
Success
Centre
Student
Writing
Centre
Math
Assistance
Centre
Student
Services
for
TRSM
English
Language
Support
A System of Support

10. All I need to bring to my
registration appointment
is my IEP.
TRUE OR FALSE?
Steve
Student
This helps, but…

11. http://www.ryerson.ca/studentservices/accesscentre/
How to Register with Us

12. At the university level it is the
student’s responsibility to inform
the professor of their
accommodations.
TRUE OR FALSE?
Stacey
Student
Yes & here’s why…

13. Professor Accommodation Form

14. 1. Obtain Documentation- must clearly state the functional limitations of the disability
related to the academic experience while at university (Psycho-educational assessment or
Disability Documentation Form) For more info on what’s needed for your appointment:
http://www.ryerson.ca/studentservices/accesscentre/students/registration/index.html#documentation
2. Fax or mail in a copy of your documentation
Fax: 416-979-5094
Mail: 350 Victoria Street, Office POD 61
Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3
3. Contact the Access Centre to schedule an appointment
Phone: 416-979-5290
4. Meet with Accommodation Facilitator - review your disability documentation and
implement appropriate academic accommodations
5. Students submits Professor Accommodation Form to faculty
6. Follow-up with Facilitator with any questions or concerns.
Registration Checklist

15. There are funding options
available for students needing
educational services or
equipment.
TRUE OR FALSE?
Peter
Parent
TRUE… sort of

16. Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)
Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for
Persons with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PDSE)
Only available to students who APPLY and are
ELIGIBLE for OSAP
Course Load, OSAP & BSWD

17. http://www.ryerson.ca/studentservices/accesscentre/students/fi
nancial_assistance/index.html
BSWD: How to Apply

18. Examples of BSWD Eligible Expenses
Note takers
Tutoring services
Psycho-educational assessments
Specialized transportation
Alternative to text material
Digital Voice Recorders
Vision aids (i.e. Zoom Text)
FM Systems and repairs
Voice to Text, Text to Voice and other
assistive software
Eligible expenses are individualized and
based on documentation

19. Non-disability related educational expenses, such as
tuition, residence or books
Expenses not related to a student’s attendance in
PSE
Expenses typically incurred by all students
participating in PSE courses ( i.e. camera in
photography course)
Expenses incurred during time periods that OSAP or
OSBP funding was not provided
INELEGIBLE EXPENSES

20. BSWD: What if I am not OSAP eligible?
You will not qualify for the CSG-CDSE or
BSWD
Check for other funding options on the
Ryerson scholarships and awards page.
Find this page under the Student Financial Assistance site or at:
www.ryerson.ca/currentstudents/awards/index.html

21. True or False?
I will be able to
communicate with the
Access Centre and be
updated on my child’s
accommodations
Possibly …. and
here’s whyParisa Parent
Freida Facilitator

22. To maintain the confidentiality of our services, the
Access Centre will not communicate with anyone
outside of the Access Centre without a student’s
written permission
This includes:
Parents
Professors
Health Care Providers
Confidentiality

23. When we leave here today
we won’t have any other
questions.
TRUE OR FALSE?
FALSE… probably

24. FAQ

25. “I live with a learning disability. With the help of
the Access Centre, Ryerson community, and my
own hard work, I now see that so-called
‘disabilities’ can serve as positive and motivational
catalysts. I now strive to be the very best I can be,
am inspired to work harder than most others
around me, and strongly encourage others with
learning disabilities and mental health issues to do
the same.” –2nd Year Radio and Television student
Benefits : Testimonial

26. S.H.I.F.T. Day
For Students Heading Into Full-Time
Single day program on August 21st
Tour Campus
Learn about campus services
Meet other incoming students
Free lunch!
Academic and personal development programming

27. Monday – Friday, 9am - 4:30pm
POD 61 B, 350 Victoria Street
(area connecting Jorgenson Hall to Library)
416-979-5290
accessfrontdesk@ryerson.ca
www.ryerson.ca/studentservices/accesscentre/
@RUAccessCentre
Questions? Contact Us