The recent panel discussion event by I2U opened up important conversations regarding disabilities and the challenges people face. There, we talked about the stigma surrounding disabilities, the issues related to accessibility, and the resources available for those seeking help. The guests also shared their personal stories, discussing their experiences with disabilities and how they support others in need!
Dr. Clifford discussed the stigma centralized regarding dyslexia. He indicated how dyslexia and other learning disabilities should be termed “neurodivergent” because it is primarily the difference in learning that affects the individual. This rephrasing can help shift perceptions, illustrating that many individuals with dyslexia are successful when provided with strong support systems. Parents' hesitation to accept a diagnosis for their children due to fear of labelling also contributes to this perception. This reluctance often arises from a fear of stigma, causing them to worry about how society might view their child. Unfortunately, this fear can prevent families from accessing help and resources, which can significantly affect the child's development.
Going further into the discussion, there were questions regarding mental health issues. Attendees suggested that mental health can discourage an individual from seeking potential help, perpetuating a cycle of isolation and misunderstanding. This also allowed panellists to share their organizations' stories and their prime goal of destigmatizing disabilities and inclusion. Specifically, LDAS’ Executive Director, Graham Snell shared the range of support programs available at LDAS, ranging from academic strategy to employability coaching. Additionally, Graham Bell suggests that many resources related to psychoeducational assessments and support may not be readily accessible, further compounding anxiety around reaching out. Not to mention, LDAS provides these tests for individuals seeking them!
Hosting this event allowed us to address these stigmas and create an accepting environment that encourages open conversations about learning differences. Additionally, the panellists' diverse and valuable experiences enabled I2U to effectively spread the vital message of destigmatization.
Since 1973, the Learning Disability Association of Saskatchewan (LDAS) has aimed to improve the daily lives of those with learning disabilities or ADHD. The various programs and services offered by LDAS include the following: Academic Strategy, Academic Tutoring, Psychoeducational Assessments, Employability Coaching, Adult Academic, Homework Club, ADHD Coaching, Learning in Literacy, and a Summer Day Camp.
Academic Strategy, though under utilized, provides students with the opportunity to identify their strengths and weaknesses and address ways to achieve their academic goals. Students are introduced to tools and strategies that they can use to overcome their personal learning difficulties. Academic Tutoring is a one-on-one service for students aged from kindergarten to Grade 12. This service offers students personalized guidance in reading, writing, and mathematics. A Psychoeducational Assessment examines one’s cognitive and academic abilities. The psychologist conducting the assessment will identify the cause of the client’s challenges. This way, the client can receive the necessary or unnecessary help. Employability Coaching provides clients with guidance when writing resumes, curriculum vitae, cover letters, preparing for job interviews and more. The Adult Academic Program provides students the opportunity to get their Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC). The CAEC is a full-time academic program for those who have not completed a grade 12 curriculum, are over 18 years old, and wish to expand their employment opportunities. In the Homework Club program, a qualified tutor works with small groups of students in 50 minute sessions. ADHD Coaching is designed to help adults, adolescents, professionals and parents of children with ADHD develop practical strategies to remedy their day to day challenges. Based on a foundation of unconditional acceptance, coaches create a safe environment for the client. The Learning in Literacy program provides those who struggle with reading with specialized help and science based instruction. Lastly, the Summer Day Camp is meant for any and every child wanting to have fun and make new friends.
Experiences shared by guests
Chinaza's experience with wheelchair accessibility highlights the need for improved accessibility at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and its campus. She specifically mentioned problems with the accessible services in the bathrooms of the Health Science Building and noted that the automatic doors were not functioning properly for entering and exiting the building. With support from individuals like Chinaza and Peer Health, we can create a more inclusive and welcoming campus environment by advocating for more accessible services.
Dr. Clifford from the History Department shared his unique experiences with dyslexia, which he has faced since a young age. Dyslexia is a disorder that occurs on a spectrum, rather than a simple diagnosis. He highlighted some common misconceptions about dyslexia, particularly the belief that it is related to intelligence issues. Many people think that providing additional support could give an unfair advantage to individuals with dyslexia or other learning disabilities. However, he argues that these claims are far from the truth. Dr. Clifford also discussed the variety of resources he provides to his students to enhance the learning experience. He works to create a neurodivergent classroom by balancing the use of AI and writing. He discusses the variety of beneficial uses of AI such as passive voice detection and Grammarly. His teaching style also reflects learning accessibility for all students, such as recording lectures and extensions. This speaks a lot regarding his vision to create an inclusive campus and provide the support each student requires.