The Access Blog

Shire Canada Inc. recently launched a new, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Scholarship Program tailored to Canadian adults diagnosed with ADHD who are pursuing post-secondary education.

The Program will award recipients with a scholarship that combines financial support for tuition ($1500) and one year’s worth of ADHD coaching services provided by the Edge Foundation (valued at approximately $4400).

The deadline for application is March 27, 2013.

More information on eligibility criteria and the application process can be found at the Scholarship Program website.

Filed by SAS at 3:37 pm under Scholarships/Grants/Funding
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In the June, 2012 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, former University of Calgary science student and current University of British Columbia medical student Daniel J. Heffner eloquently writes about his experience as a student with a severe reading disability, and the incredible realizations that came out of his diagnosis.

Daniel’s piece is called Unreadable, and is well-worth your attention.

Filed by SAS at 1:04 pm under Research
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On Friday, February 22, 2013, renowned author and neuro-diversity activity Jonathan Mooney will be speaking at the Learning Inclusion Conference at Red Deer College.

Jonathan’s talk is called Re-Drawing the Lines: Neurodiversity: A Compass to a Changing World. Here is the description:

Welcome to a new world, where the good kid doesn’t sit still. A world where some of the smartest kids in the class don’t read well or don’t read at all. A world where the popular kids don’t make eye contact, don’t shake hands, and definitely don’t back slap. And where a Swedish design company hires people with Asperger’s syndrome—not as charity, but because this company believes programmers with Asperger’s make superior employees. 

Renowned author and neuro-diversity activist Jonathan Mooney vividly, humorously and passionately brings to life this wonderful world of neuro-diversity: the research behind it, the people who live in it, and the lessons it has for all of us who care about the future of education.  Explaining the latest theories, Jonathan helps teachers and parents redefine what it is for students in the 21st century to think, learn and be successful. 

Jonathan has two sessions: 12:30-1:45 and 2:15-3:30. Both sessions are open and free of charge.

The conference website has more information on this session and others.

Filed by SAS at 12:02 pm under Conferences
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In a follow-up to our November 2012 post on disclosing disability during the job search, Liz Koblyk of University Affairs has now written two further posts on disability and the workforce.

The first, on planned disclosure, provides strategies and suggestions for addressing disability — both noticeable and invisible — in the interview.

In the second, Liz looks at requesting accommodations once on the job. She makes a case for consulting Mental Health Works, which provides video resources to assist with whether or not to disclose on the job and how to address accommodations as you are returning from a leave of absence. While Mental Health Works is clearly focused on mental health, the guidance offered by the videos can be instrumental in helping you to prepare with any discussion around disability and accommodation.

Filed by SAS at 4:17 pm under Careers
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Thanks to funding from the government of Alberta, public library patrons in Calgary with a perceptual disability – a disability that prevents or inhibits an individual from accessing print material due to a visual impairment, a physical disability, or a comprehension disability – have the opportunity to borrow from the 80,000-title collection of alternative-format materials at the CNIB Library, including audio, braille and descriptive video.

The library includes English and French literature, aboriginal fiction, non-fiction, and a strong Canadiana section.

Users with a current public library card can self-register for the service.

Filed by SAS at 9:59 am under Community Resources
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