Information and Resources for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers

Introduction

As the role of the student changes while attending post-secondary, so to does your role in supporting them. You play an integral part in supporting your student as a self-advocating independent adult. This support is particularly important for individuals with accessibility needs entering a post-secondary environment.

As your student enters the post-secondary world, they are considered an adult and are primarily responsible for their accommodations. Some students may want you to be involved in their accommodation process. Your student's written consent is required before any information can be shared with you. Additional consent will is required should your student want you to help them work with other departments in the college.

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Supporting Your Student

We are guided by the choices of the student and the principles outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

• Dignity: Meeting students in a confidential, inclusive, and safe environment where they can frame their lived experiences in a manner they find most comfortable.
• Independence: Each student has their own goals when entering college. We are here to support in student growth as they work to achieve them.
• Integration: Supporting students with accessibility needs so they can participate equally at Mohawk College. This can include access to academic material, classroom engagement, washroom access, attending/engaging in events, and much more.
• Equal Opportunity: Providing the same guidance, resources, and chance at success as the rest of the students at Mohawk College.

Parents, guardians, and caregivers can offer support to their student by:

• Helping them identify their strengths
• Encouraging them to connect with campus services and activities
• Providing support and helping with decision making as they develop educational goals
• If an updated psycho-educational assessment is needed, looking into insurance benefits to determine what portion of the assessment can be covered
• Providing support and encouragement as your student navigates through the exciting and often stressful post-secondary world

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What About You?

Know that we are here to help, and consider you an integral part of your student's support system.

If your student is looking for more guidance from you as they navigate accommodations in college, and have signed an External Consent Form with their Accessibility Counsellor, there are some additional areas where we can work together by:

• Providing you with information around appropriate college services, resources, and accommodations available to your student
• Encouraging your student to connect with Accessible Learning Services when they share challenges with you
• Clarifying information around accommodation use

We operate on the principle of ‘Not about you, without you’. As your student remains the primary contact around their accommodations, they will be kept fully informed around our communications.

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Resources

• Who We Are - Get to know ALS. Who we are, what services we provide, and how we operate.
• How to Register - Is your student ready to register with ALS? Have questions about next steps? Here you will find information about our intake process, documentation, and booking appointments.
• What is Accommodate? - Accommodate is the name of our online portal for all things accommodation related. Your student will have access to this portal so they can book appointments, renew their accommodations every semester, request new accommodations, upload documents, and so much more.
• Privacy and Confidentiality - How does privacy and confidentiality work within ALS? Learn about what we keep confidential, what we can share, some limitations and more.
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) - Mohawk College is committed to UDL for all learners. Your student can check with their Instructors/Professors to find out if UDL is being used in their courses.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Not sure what to ask? Check out our FAQ for some common questions and answers. Seeing some of these may spark further questions so please don't hesitate to contact us.

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