Whether you are transitioning from high school or another institution, starting a new degree, or are a current Brock student accessing services for the first time, Student Accessibility Services is here to help! Contact our Transitions Coordinator for more information about our services, how to register, or with any questions you may have.
Transitioning to Brock
Complete your application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).
Complete the new student registration.
Send any current documentation of your disability outlining functional impacts, and a copy of your recent IEP.
FAX:
905 688 7260
MAILING ADDRESS:
Attn: SAS Transitions Coordinator
Student Accessibility Services
Brock University
1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way
St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1
Once you receive your letter of acceptance to Brock University, contact our Transitions Coordinator.
Current Brock student
Please register as soon as possible to access services and accommodations.
Wait to be contacted by the Transitions Coordinator to discuss the next steps.
Documentation guidelines
Under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC), individuals with disabilities are guaranteed certain rights to equal access to programs and services. Documentation is requested to confirm that a person is covered under the definition of disability within the OHRC. Confirmation of a condition or disorder does not automatically qualify a student for any and all accommodations.
Documentation must:
- Support the request for accommodations or academic adjustments and/or aids and devices;
- Verify the functional impact of the disability on the student’s academic performance;
- Be issued by a qualified practitioner who is certified in the areas of the disability.
Summer transition programs
First-year students with disabilities are encouraged to participate in summer programming to assist with the transition into the post-secondary environment.
July and August
Smart Start is Brock’s academic orientation program for all incoming first-year students. Smart Start students can meet with Student Accessibility Services by indicating their diagnosed disability on the registration form.
SAS offers the opportunity to meet in-person with staff during the summer to discuss services and review accessibility and technology needs.
Student Accessibility Services is proud to offer the 19th annual Start with Strategies conference this summer! The conference is designed to help first-year students with a documented learning disability or other documented disability transition to post-secondary education through personalized sessions, hands-on experience with Brightspace, and insights from upper-year students.
For parents
As parents, you have an opportunity to help your student experience a smooth transition to Brock by working with your student to develop self-advocacy skills and submit appropriate documentation.
While SAS provides students with the appropriate accommodations, it is the responsibility of each student to inform us of their needs, any problems encountered with the accommodations and services, and to follow through with the procedures as outlined.
Important: Students must be able to advocate for their own needs, take responsibility for their learning, and understand the requirements they must meet in order to be successful in their academic endeavours.
Frequently asked questions
Accommodations are based on individual documented needs.
Submit your documentation (see “documentation guidelines“) to our Transition Coordinator to begin the reviewing process.
An IEP on its own is not considered formal documentation (see “documentation guidelines“) at the post-secondary level.
If you are requesting that your application to Brock be considered under Brock’s Accessibility Admissions Policy, then you would need to contact the Admissions Office.
If you want to discuss academic accommodations should you decide to attend Brock, then you need to contact Student Accessibility Services.
Recommended resources
BOOKS
- On Your Own: A College Readiness Guide for Teens with ADHD/LD
by Patricia O. Quinn, MD and Theresa E. Laurier Maitland, PHD
ISBN: 1433809559 - Ready for Take-Off: Preparing Your Teen with ADHD or LD for College
by Patricia O. Quinn, MD and Theresa E. Laurier Maitland, PHD
ISBN: 1433808919 - The Autism Transition Guide: Planning the Journey from School to Adult Life
by Carolyn Thorwarth and Mary Beth Urban
ISBN: 189062781X
DOCUMENTS
- Post secondary students with mental health disabilities: a guide to academic accommodations and managing your mental health while on campus
© 2015 Mental Health Innovation Fund