Supporting students with disabilities

The following roles were created to meet Strategic Plan goal

Indigenous Student Liaison

This role was created to facilitate providing a safe, caring, respectful and culturally supportive environment for Indigenous students with disabilities as they begin the intake and registration process with Accessibility Services. 

STATUS UPDATE (JUNE 2021): Erin Martin, Accessibility Services Indigenous Liaison, is a Mohawk woman and member of the wolf clan whose family hails from Six Nations. Erin was raised in Tkaronto on Dish with One Spoon Territory and has more than 11 years of experience assisting individuals from the First Nations community, primarily working on the front lines within First Nations mental health and addictions centres. She officially began working in this role in the fall of 2020.

Indigenous Accessibility Advisor

This role was developed with a tri-campus lens, providing students the opportunity to work on-on-one with an Indigenous advisor who can provide culturally appropriate and relevant support with significant knowledge of Indigenous communities and lived experiences.

Similar to other accessibility advisor roles, this staff member will work with Indigenous students to develop and implement an individualized accommodation plan and provide related supports for the duration of the student’s registration with Accessibility Services. The role will also report to the Director of Indigenous Student Services, U of T.

STATUS UPDATE (JUNE 2021):  Permanent funding for the position has been secured from the University of Toronto Provost’s office, effective immediately. A job position number has been created, and a draft job description has been developed in consultation with the Director of Indigenous Student Services and the Directors of the tri-campus Accessibility Offices.

STATUS UPDATE (NOVEMBER 2021): No qualified candidate was found during the first round of applications. The position is currently posted, with a more in-depth search through Indigenous networks taking place.

Call to Action #30

Indigenous Peer Guide (peer mentor/advisor)

This Work Study position expands networking and mentoring opportunities available for Indigenous students registered with Accessibility Services. We’ll soon be recruiting and interviewing for this peer mentor advisor role, which will be an Indigenous Student working specifically with other Indigenous Students registered with Accessibility Services.

STATUS UPDATE (SEPTEMBER 2021): Ava Truthwaite has been hired as our first Indigenous Peer Guide.  Ava is a student in the Ethics Society & Law Major Program, minoring in Philosophy and Women & Gender Studies.

Accessibility/career position:  This new role is in process of being filled.