students with disabilities Archives

By Betelehem Gulilat, Lead Writer & Editor and Philippa Gosine, Senior Research Assistant

Betelehem outside smiling at the camera — Betelehem Gulilat

Philippa outdoors smiling at the camera — Philippa Gosine

Preserving a rich learning environment accessible for all students has been an ongoing commitment for many institutions. As faculties and administrators navigate the complexity of delivering courses online, it’s important for us to turn to our student community to understand the needs of students during this time. Our work at the Innovation Hub is centered around students and their unique stories with the goal of designing a campus experience inclusive for all. We recognize the importance of prioritizing accessibility and hope to inspire our community members to develop equitable strategies for accomodating students in their online learning.

Written by Terri-Lynn Langdon, Lead Writer and Editor

Terri-Lynn and her daughter smiling — Terri-lynn and her daughter, Jaycie.

I am a wheelchair- using mother and a PhD student at OISE in Social Justice Education. When the lockdown in Toronto began we lost access to daycare and we also lost more than one support person (Nurturing Assistants) who felt that their own lives were too disrupted by the pandemic to continue to provide ongoing support to us. Without this direct support neither myself nor my child can shower safely, and I have no means of taking my twenty-one month old outside on my own. On top of which our building has been plagued with significant apartment maintenance issues all summer which has meant I have had to solve big family pandemic issues for 4 months and counting….

Tag: students with disabilities

Designing Virtual Spaces with Accessibility in Mind

A Glimpse Into the Lives of Disabled Student Parents at the University of Toronto