Navigating Post-Secondary Education: Getting Registered with Accessibility Offices
“Self-advocacy – don’t be scared, if you feel like you need help, not to be afraid to ask for help.” (Student with Sickle Cell)
College and university can be a new and exciting journey for many – in addition to pursuing meaningful learning, post-secondary education is an opportunity to develop friendships, nurture passions, enjoy new life experiences, increased independence and responsibility. However, as young people adjust to this new freedom, many may experience stress as they juggle school. work, relationships, and other aspects of life. Managing a chronic health condition may bring unique worries for post-secondary students who live with sickle cell disease or thalassemia. Connecting to a school’s “Accessibility Office” (also known as Accessibility Centres or Services) can be a helpful part of the post secondary experience.
What are Accessibility Offices?
Accessibility offices are available in all public post-secondary schools in Ontario. They ensure that all post-secondary students with chronic health conditions or a disability have equal access to education. In fact, post-secondary schools are required by law to provide reasonable accommodations to students who need them. Accessibility offices offer various services, including counselling, note taking services, assistive technologies, and other learning accommodations.
How can Accessibility Offices support Students with Red Blood Cell Disorders?
For students with a red blood cell disorder, registering with accessibility offices can helpful for completing courses, particularly if any medical issues come up during the school year.
For example, in registering with accessibility offices, students could receive accommodations for missed classes, assignments, and exams for pain, fatigue, unexpected absences (i.e. Hospital admissions) and medical appointments. Students also receive other forms of support, including access to counselling services and peer support.
While accessibility offices can be supportive of students with a red blood cell disorder, stigma around chronic illnesses and disability are profound barriers to accessing support.
What do students with a Red Blood Cell Disorder say about Registering with an Accessibility Office?
The Transition Navigator with in the Red Blood Cell Disorder clinic conducted a quality improvement study to better support post-secondary students with sickle cell disease or thalassemia in registering with accessibility offices. We interviewed 12 students living with sickle cell disease or thalassemia about their experiences registering for and using accessibility services in the first year of college or university. We also interviewed 13 accessibility office staff from 11 post-secondary schools across Ontario.
Here’s what they had to say to support other students with red blood cell disorders:
It’s essential to register early with Accessibility Offices! Students and accessibility office staff recommended registering with the office before the school year or semester started. This can help address worries about what if something happens? – which could cause more stress and health issues. Also, if any health issues come up during the school year, you would know what to do, who to contact, how to get what you need to make sure you don’t fall too far behind, and how to catch up on any missed work. It is still possible to set up your accessibility services later in the school year, but this can take time and energy, which can be difficult when dealing with an active health issue.
“It took a burden off my shoulders knowing that I am not alone and that I have a shoulder to lean on.”
(Student with Sickle Cell)Knowing How to Register for Accommodations – It can take time to locate and have your doctor complete the school’s medical forms for accessibility services. Students recommend starting this process early! In addition, it is important to research what other resources are available at your school – for example, counselling, academic advising, peer support with coursework, social clubs, and transition to post-secondary programs.
Practice Self-Advocacy Skills – Self Advocacy – the ability to speak about your needs – is an important skill for accessing support services in college or university. This includes knowing how your condition impacts your daily life and being comfortable in sharing that with the accessibility office staff. Additionally, speaking about your strengths and what has worked for you in the past is a helpful way to go about setting up support services in college or university.
“Describe a day in their life, and describe within the last year for example, what did your condition look like, what supports were helpful for you.”
(Accessibility Office Staff)
So What?
Getting registered with accessibility offices while attending college or university can help you complete and achieve success during your studies. If you want to register with your accessibility office, the first step is to locate the accessibility section on your school’s website and then follow the instructions on the webpage. You can also connect with your care team, including your transition navigator or social worker, for support with navigating the process, practicing self-advocacy skills, and securing necessary documentation.
Learn More
Read the Transition Resource Guide’s webpage on Accessibility Services!
Check out the study on the transitions to post-secondary education experiences of young adults with sickle cell disease and thalassemia!
Check out SCAGO’s recording about achieving success in post secondary education as a student living with sickle cell disease.
About the Author
James Bradley is the Transition Navigator with the Hemoglobinopathy program working between the Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto General Hospital.
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