Counselling

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Counselling Disability Services
Learning Disability Services NEW STUDENT
INFORMATION INTAKE ORIENTATION
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What are Learning Disability Services?

• Learning Disability Services (LDS) is an
  educational support program within the
  Counselling Disability Services (CDD) of York
  University.
• LDS Primary Goal Support students with learning
  disabilities (LDs) and related conditions in
  order to facilitate their academic, personal,
  social and career development.
• Each student is assigned to a counsellor in the
  LDS who is their primary contact for the time
  they are studying at York.

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Where is LDS?

• Our program is located in W128 Bennett Centre for
  Student Services (BCSS) and
• also in 028 Vanier College.
• In BCSS, we have
• The offices of our LDP counsellors
• In 028 Vanier, we have
• The office of the Assistant Educational
  Specialist and our Assistive Technologist.
• The Assistive Technology Lab.
• Some services will need to be accessed at
  different locations.

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What is your LDS counsellors role?

• To be your primary contact within the LDP.
• Help you maximize your personal, academic and
  career success.
• Offer variety of services
• disability-related counselling and advising
• coaching
• support for developing self-advocacy
• academic petitions support
• facilitation of academic accommodations and
• recommendations for Bursary for Students with
  Disabilities (BSWD).

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LDS philosophy

• Students with LDs can be successful at university
  and in their careers.
• We provide support so that students can function
  as independently as possible.
• Students should be proactive and keep their LDS
  counsellors apprised of their needs and progress.
• Students are encouraged to be their own
  self-advocates however, LDS counsellors can work
  with students to help develop this skill.

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Areas of support
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Learning Skills Assessment (LSA)

• What is it?
• A small-group assessment to evaluate your
  academic strengths/weaknesses.
• Results in recommendations for appropriate
  supports/accommodations youll need (i.e.
  tutoring, assistive technology, test/exam
  accommodations etc.).
• Space is limited at each session to no more than
  10 students.
• There is usually a waiting list, so sign up
  early.

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Learning skills assessment (LSA)

• You might need to participate in an LSA if
• You have old psychoeducational documentation.
• Your psychoeducational reports have vague
  recommendations.
• You have a diagnosis of ADHD or Autism Spectrum
  Disorder, but have no psychoeducational report.
• You wish to update your knowledge about your
  academic strengths/weaknesses.

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Letters of accommodations

• What are they?
• Letters that are given at the beginning of the
  term to your professors informing them that you
  are part of LDS and listing the accommodations
  to which you are entitled.
• (Except students studying at Osgoode Law
  School)
• Why do I need to give this letter to each of my
  professors?
• The letters help professors know which students
  will be writing in the Alternate Exam Centres.
• The letters help communicate to your professors
  ahead of time that you are in need of certain
  accommodations.
• How do I get these letters?
• From your LDS counsellor at the beginning of each
  term
• Returning students can email a request to have
  their generated and ready for pick up in the main
  office area

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Psychoeducational assessment

• Do I need one?
• If you suspect you have a learning disability and
  have never been assessed.
• If your psychoeducational assessment is outdated
  (usually more than 3-5 years old upon entry to
  York).
• If you need an updated assessment for future
  graduate/professional studies (e.g. LSAT
  accommodations).
• How do I get a referral for assessment?
• If you are OSAP eligible, meet with your
  counsellor and get a list of referrals.
• Apply for the Bursary for Students With
  Disabilities to cover the cost.
• If you are not OSAP eligible, you will be
  referred for an assessment through the Mobile
  Assessment Team to undergo a psychoeducational
  assessment with a user-fee (there is a sliding
  scale based on financial need and often a wait
  list associated with this service).

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Notetaking services

• What if I need note-taking help?
• Suggestions
• Use a digital voice recorder.
• Use non-carbon copy paper (can be supplied free
  by your LDS counsellor).
• Ask a classmate for notes to share and compare.
• Ask professors for copies of their slides.

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Notetaking services steps

• What if I require a notetaker?
• Your LDS counsellor needs to confirm that you
  need this service first. This is a limited
  service.
• Your LDS counsellor will send out an e-mail to
  notify notetaking services that you qualify for a
  notetaker.
• The notetaking service will then contact you and
  ask for information about your class time,
  section, location etc.

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Transcription services

• What is it?
• Services that give you print material in
  alternate formats (such as audio books on CD
  (Daisy format), e-text for assistive technology).
• Where do I find the service?
• Library Accessibility Services Department, Room
  CS133, Scott Library.

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Transcription services steps

• What do I need to do?
• The LDS needs to register you by confirming that
  you require this service.
• Fill out paperwork with your LDS counsellor.
• Set up an individual appointment with Tina
  McColl, Manager of Library Disability Services at
  Scott Library who will spend an hour with you
  reviewing the services and other library services
• Bring the original paperwork to Tina and your
  list of courses (and booklist if possible) if
  that has been made available to you.
• Contact Info
• Tina McCollScott Library, CS133F (main floor
  behind reserved section)[phone] x
  88877tmccoll_at_yorku.ca

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Alternative exam accommodations

• What is it?
• A service for students who require the means to
  write their tests/exams with certain academic
  accommodations.
• Students book tests/exams trough a scheduling
  process via the Registrars Office.
• Once you have registered in the LDP and your
  accommodations have been approved by your LDS
  counsellor, follow the procedures outlined at
  http//www.yorku.ca/altexams/
• Students studying at Osgoode Law School are
  directed to register with the Learning
  Disability Program, obtain a Letter of
  Accommodation, and bring it to Nancy Sperling at
  Osgoode Law School. Make sure to allow at least
  four weeks before exams, to make exam
  accommodation arrangements. To contact Nancy
  call 416-650-8182.

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Financial Assistance
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Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)

• What is it?
• Government bursary to assist students with
  disability related educational needs which can
  include depending on the nature of your
  individual disability
• tutoring
• assistive technology such as a computer, digital
  voice recorders, software
• counselling
• psycho-educational assessment
• Can I access this bursary?
• You must be eligible for the Ontario Student
  Assistance Program (apply online
  http//osap.gov.on.ca).
• You must have documentation recommending the
  above disability-related educational expenditures
  and your counsellor must determine that it is an
  appropriate accommodation for you.
• Follow-up with your LDS counsellor about the
  process which usually takes 6-8 weeks.

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Steps to accessing theBSWD

• Step 1 Apply to OSAP http//osap.gov.on.ca
• When applying for OSAP, dont forget to
• check the permanent disability box
• submit all signature forms and related forms
  (that OSAP lists online) to Student Financial
  Services
• request confirmation of disability letter from
  your LDP counsellor and
• submit letter to Student Financial Services
  confirming you have a permanent disability.
• Pick up your loan documents and sign your
  Confirmation of Enrollment
• Step 2 If OSAP eligible, you become eligible for
  the BSWD which provides you with money to pay for
  disability related expenses.
• If you are not eligible for OSAP, see your LDS
  counsellor to discuss possible options.
• Step 3 Make an appointment with your LDS
  counsellor to complete the BSWD application form.

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Steps to accessing theBSWD

• Step 4 BSWD application will be submitted to
  Student Financial Services, Bennett Centre for
  Student Services by your counsellor
• Step 5 After you hear from Student Financial
  Services that your BSWD application has been
  approved, purchase approved products/services.
• Step 6 Remember to keep all receipts and copy
  them for your file.
• Submit original receipts with accompanying
  Receipt Form to Student Financial Services.
• Failure to submit appropriate receipts and/or
  unused funding may result in ineligibility for
  further OSAP and bursary funding.
• For forms and info see http//www.yorku.ca/osfs/s
  pecial.shtml

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Other sources of funding

• What are they?
• Undergrad Bursaries are open to all students with
  financial need and/or academic achievement.
• To apply, you must complete your Student
  Financial Profile.http//www.yorku.ca/osfs/sfp.sh
  tml
• Private Donor Funding for York students with
  disabilities are bursaries provided by
  foundations and other organizations outside of
  the University.
• To apply for Private Donor Funding, you need to
  learn about the requirements and deadlines for
  each bursary.http//www.yorku.ca/osfs/awd_funding
  disabilities_fw05.shtml
• York Work Study programs and Service Bursaries.
• Non-York bursaries scholarships (e.g. Justin
  Eves Mind in Motion Bursary).
• Scholarship databases with search capabilities
  (e.g. www.studentawards.com).

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Job finding assistance

• Career Centre on campus (McLaughlin College,
  Suite 202 http//www.yorku.ca/careers/index.asp)
• See the LDS Career Specialist, Jayne
  Greene-Black, to discuss career topics.
• Access external job agencies that assist students
  with disabilities to find work (eg. Entry Point,
  Hawkins Institute, see JOIN for complete list
  http//www.joininfo.ca/ODSP.aspx).

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Individual counselling

• What is this?
• Opportunity for students to work with
  professional counsellors on a variety of
  socio-emotional concerns.
• Counselling is focused on supporting your
  academic and personal achievement as well as
  reaching your full potential.
• What if I need it?
• You can speak with your LDS counsellor to discuss
  which is the best option
• for you
• LDS counsellor
• Yorks Counselling Disability Services for the
  Personal Counselling Program
• group workshop or
• off-campus clinics/counsellors (some funding may
  be available if you are BSWD eligible).

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Services for studentswith Aspergers

• Aspergers Support Group
• Students looking for support and social
  connection can participate in bi-weekly meetings.
• Thursdays at 230 pmSeptember to AprilLDP
  Bennett Centre Student Lounge
• Mentor Program
• Graduate Psychology students provide mentoring
  according to the students expressed needs.
• If you are interested in either, please contact
  by e-mail
• Aseel Al-KhaliliCounselling Development
  Centre(416)736-2100 x 77196aseel_at_yorku.ca

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LDP workshops

• What are these?
• A variety of workshops to assist students with
  LDs achieve greater insight and success.
• Check your e-mail, as other workshops will be
  announced through the programs mailing list.
• Next Steps
• Contact your LDS counsellor and discuss your
  interests and needs.
• If there is a particular topic of interest, you
  can
• notify your LDS counsellor and a custom-designed
  workshop may be designed to meet your needs
• reply to surveys that may appear in your e-mail
  and
• join our student advisory group and provide
  suggestions.

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Academic and professional development
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LDS Skills/ProcessTutoring Program

• Why would I need this?
• To improve language skills necessary for
  effective reading, writing, study and test-taking
  skills at York.
• To improve organizational and time management
  skills to stay on track.
• To ensure you have regular and consistent support
  throughout the academic year.
• To learn how to incorporate assistive technology
  into your reading, writing and studying
  processes.

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LDP tutor program

• What do I need to know?
• One-to-one tutoring to improve general academic
  skills (non-content tutoring) located at 028
  Vanier College. http//www.yorku.ca/cdc/ldp/tutor
  ing/
• Sign up as soon as possible (ideally before each
  term) as tutoring fills up quickly.
• There is a cost for this service, but if you are
  OSAP eligible you may be reimbursed.

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Steps to booking a LDP tutor

• To request LDP tutor, complete the tutor request
  form. http//www.yorku.ca/cdc/ldp/tutoring/request
  form.htm
• For more information contact
• Saima HasanAssistant Educational Specialist028
  Vanier(416)736-2100 ext. 22543saimazh_at_yorku.ca
• There is a cost for this service. Confirm total
  cost for tutoring with Saima Hasan.
• If you are OSAP eligible, see your LDS counsellor
  to complete a bursary form (BSWD).
• Other tutoring or study support on campus
• The Learning Skills Program
• The Centre for Academic Writing
• Speak to your LDS counsellor for more information.

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Learning skills program

• What do I need to know?
• This is a free service available to all York
  students.
• There are a variety of topics covered such as
• effective reading, time management, memory
  strategies, notetaking strategies, test
  preparation etc.
• Workshops and short-term individual sessions are
  available.
• Next Steps
• Explore complete list of workshops and services
  http//www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/index.html
• To register online http//www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/cal
  endar/
• Call 416-736-5297 for more information.

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Career mentorship program

• What is it?
• An opportunity to be matched with a mentor from
  career area of interest.
• Networking and job search skills development.
• A way to improve career confidence.
• Best suited for students in second year or
  higher.
• Must be willing to meet six times per year
  individually with your mentor off-campus and four
  times per
• year in groups of all mentors and students.
• Do I need this?
• Studies show that successful workers report that
  their mentors fueled their accomplishments.
• Consider joining the program if youre interested
  in developing more skills and information to
  reach your career goals.

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Steps to Joining theMentorship Program

• Go to http//www.yorku.ca/cdc/ldp/mentorship.html
  student_application and complete the student
  application that is found there.
• Annual Registration Deadline September 15
• There is also a Career Centre on campus with
  career counsellors, workshops and a resource
  library. http//www.yorku.ca/careers/index.asp

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Assistive technology

• What is it?
• Software that is designed to assist students with
  LDs in their pursuit of academic tasks.
  http//www.yorku.ca/cdc/ldp/technology.html
• Do I need it?
• Psychoeducational reports and Learning Skill
  Assessments often make specific recommendations
  about assistive technology.
• Explore on your own and/or discuss with your LDS
  counsellor.

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Steps to accessing assistive technology

• Go to 028 Vanier.
• Computers and assistive software at the Vanier
  Computer lab are available for student use.
• Arrange appointment by phone, e-mail, or in
  person with the Assistive technologust to obtain
  a lab account and for assistive technology
  training.
• Room Vanier 028(416) 736-2100 ext 70211
• If you are OSAP eligible, you may want to
  purchase assistive software programs by applying
  for the Bursary for Students With Disabilities.

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Assistive technology lab

• What is it?
• A computer lab to assist students with LDs to
  learn and use a variety of assistive technology
  such as
• Kurzweil, Dragon, Inspiration, Texthelp and
  others.
• Do I need this?
• This is an excellent space to learn and use
  assistive technologies on campus.
• Youll also have the opportunity to meet and
  network with other students with LDs.

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AS/LLS1000 6.0 Language learning seminar

• What is it?
• Elective 6-credit course designed only for York
  students with learning disabilities.
• Assists students with their transition to
  university.
• An opportunity to improve writing skills,
  analytical reading abilities and assistive
  technology skills.
• Curriculum topics include
• learning disabilities
• reading, writing and research
• career development and
• stress management.

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AS/LLS1000 6.0 Language learning seminar

• Do I need this?
• This is an optional course, but if you answer
  YES to five or more of the questions below,
  then LLS1000 6.0 could be right for you...
• Would you like to
• gain a better understanding of your LD?
• make a smooth transition to university study?
• manage your time more effectively?
• handle stress more productively?
• learn how your LD may affect your career path?
• improve your comprehension of university level
  reading material?
• improve your ability to remember important facts
  after you read?
• improve your understanding of grammar?
• learn to write more effectively?
• learn about assistive technology?
• interact weekly with other York students with LDs
  and share strategies?

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Steps to enrolling in AS/LLS1000 6.0

• Register with the LDS.
• Email ldinfo_at_yorku.ca with your name and student
  number so we can lift computer restrictions to
  allow you to register. You will received a
  confirmation when you will be ready to enroll
• Go into the York course registration system and
  select the course Language Literature
  AS/LLS1000 6.0
• Recommendation complete this course before
  enrolling in other essay-intensive courses.

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Peer support and leadership development

• Why do I need this?
• Students in our program have found that they
  greatly benefit from the support of each other.
• Peer support can help you develop your leadership
  skills. If you would like to find out about
  participating in peer support, leadership
  development or student-led activities, please
  contact
• Mary StasiukCounselling Development Centre
  (CDC) [phone] x 22355marystas_at_yorku.ca

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York is committed to human rights and equity

• Other supports include
• Students Ombuds Service 214 Bethune(416)736-5383
  http//www.yorku.ca/sos/
• ACCESS CentreStudent Centre 429(416)736-2100 x
  77612

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Summary