New Online Accommodation Process

Hello All,

As mentioned in Monday's Sheridan Insider, we are moving to a online accommodation notification system for students registered with Accessible Learning Services.

We believe that this process will allow for the flow of accommodation information directly to faculty members. This information is secure and still remains a confidential process. Students will still be encouraged to meet with faculty members to talk about their individual needs.

Information will be sent to all program coordinators, posted on YAMMER, on the Accessible Learning web page, and inside Access Sheridan under Accessible Learning Services area.

As with any transition to new system, we expect there will some minor challenges to overcome, however we believe that this is ultimately the right thing to do for our students and our faculty member partners.

We appreciate your continued support. Any questions please direct them to me.

Joe Henry
Manager, Accessible Learning and Student Development

Mental Health Awareness

Parents for Children's Mental Health is a non-profit, Provincial, parent-led organization dedicated to raising the voice of families and children who face the daily struggles and challenges when dealing with child and youth mental health issues. One in five children suffer from a mental illness. Suicide is the leading cause of non-accidental death in youth aged 10-19 years. The Child and Youth Mental Health system has been plagued by stagnant funding for over a decade. Currently, 656,000 families in Ontario are dealing with the stigma, isolation, and debilitating effects of dealing with child and youth mental health issues. The World Health organization recently released that by 2020 Depression will be the second leading cause of disability.

For more information: http://www.pcmh.ca/

Article on Parents with Disabilities

Interesting artcile on CNN...

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/21/parents.disabilities/index.html?hpt=C2

Blind Jounalism Student

A great story about about a blind journalism student at Conestoga College.

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/696966

Reminders/Updates

Just a few reminders before the end of the term:

1. All students intending to write in the test centre should book their tests in advance with us. At least one weeks notice is required.

2. STEPS Emloyment Day

http://www.sheridaninstitute.ca/Services/Student%20Learning%20Services/Disability%20Services/News%20and%20Events.aspx

Mental Health on TVO

A good show on the agenda on Mental Health Issues last night. A different perspective is presented.

http://www.tvo.org/cfmx/tvoorg/theagenda/index.cfm?page_id=7&bpn=779750&ts=2010-04-06%2020:00:00.0

Changes in Services for Students with Disabilities

Disability Services will become - Accessible Learning Services

After consultation with both internal stakeholders and a review of other
institutions, Disability Services will be changing their name to
Accessible Learning Services as of June 1st, 2010. All forms, materials
and website information will be changed to accurately reflect the new
name. More information on this change will be forthcoming to the
Sheridan Community.

In addition to the name change our office would like to welcome two new
full-time staff people to the Davis Campus.

Theresa Cheng was the successful candidate for the Disability Services
Advisor at the Davis Campus. I am pleased that Theresa will be able to
continue to be with us on on a full-time basis at Sheridan. Theresa has
been working part-time in the role for almost the last two years. She
has a strong commitment to students and I look forward to her continuing
her work with our Davis team. Theresa holds a Bachelors Degree in
Psychology from the University of Toronto, and is currently working on
her Learning Strategist Certificate from Cambrian College. Her previous
work experience included time with Epilepsy Mississauga and the Yee Hong
Long Term Care Centre.

Sabrina Lakhani has accepted the Clerk- Receptionist role at the Davis
Campus. Some of you may remember Sabrina when she worked at the
Trafalgar Campus in Disability Services/Counselling. In addition to
working at Sheridan, Sabrina has worked at George Brown College and
TD/Waterhouse Canada in support functions. Sabrina holds a Advanced
Financial Planning Diploma from George Brown

Please join me in welcoming both Theresa and Sabrina.