Helpful College and University Supports for Students with Red Blood Cell Disorders

Photo by Yingchou Han on Unsplash

From supporting your mental health to dealing with grade appeals and discrimination, public colleges and universities in Ontario have a range of services that can help you achieve success and wellbeing.

Below is a summary of supports at college and university that may be helpful for students with Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, and other Red Blood Cell Disorders (RBCDs).

Helpful Supports for Post-Secondary Students in Ontario

Support	What they do	How they can help Students
International Students Services	Information and support about visa, work permits, and health insurance Orientations and social activities. A good first point of contact for help	Help international students cope Support with adapting to college and university and living in Ontario Access social and health services Make new friends
Accessibility Services or Accessibility Office	Organize and arrange accommodations to remove barriers to education	Ensure you are able to fully participate in your education as a student with an RBCD
Health Services	On campus health support May be known as “medical centre,” “health centre,” or “wellness centre”	Support your mental and physical health
Writing Centres	Tutorial support to improve writing skills	Increase your understanding of academic expectations at college and university
Counselling Services	Mental health support and psychotherapy from trained counsellors	Support your mental health
Career Centres	Support with finding work, including on and off-campus jobs as well as after graduation. Services include help with cover letters and resumés, job fairs, information sessions, and networking opportunities	Increase social networks Help finding meaningful work Reduce financial stress
Academic Advising	Help you keep on track to finish your program. Support on changing your programs.	Adjust to academic expectations and teaching styles in college and university Cope with academic anxiety
Academic Petition or Appeal Process	A process for students to challenge decisions that impact their academic standing and progression. Students with RBCDs can use the academic appeal process to challenge grades that were shaped by extenuating circumstances such as ill health	Navigate academic expectations and teaching styles in college and university Academic anxiety Balance wellbeing with academic success
Human Rights Office	Provides support to and hears complaints of students who have experienced unfair treatment and/or discrimination .	Address discrimination
Sexual Violence Support and Education Centres	Support, awareness, education, and prevention initiatives around sexual and gender-based violence	Support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and cultivate healthy and safe communities on campus

Adapted from “What types of services are available at my college or university?” by Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer.

Learn More

Read these blog posts about post-secondary education and RBCDs!

• Reflections from an Accessibility Counsellor living with Thalassemia

• Post-Secondary Accessibility Services for Students with Red Blood Cell Disorders

• Bursaries and Grants for Post-Secondary Students in Ontario with Red Blood Cell Disorders

• Tips for Success and Wellbeing for International Students with a Red Blood Cell Disorder in Ontario
  

About the Author

Sinthu Srikanthan is a social worker in the Red Blood Cell Disorders Clinic at UHN. She is passionate about Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppressive practice.

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