Durham College’s Access and Support Centre (ASC) is committed to the belief that inclusion benefits everyone. On May 13, ASC staff members Kirston Arbour, disability advisor and Meghan Houghton, director of Learning and Disability Services were recognized for their dedication as they received the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) Accessibility Award for outstanding commitment to accessibility for students who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing.

Since 1996 the CHS Accessibility Award has recognized individuals, businesses or organizations that have made or are making a significant or ongoing contribution that promotes the well-being and advancement of people with hearing issues.

The ASC has taken on numerous initiatives during their four-year partnership with the CHS including case consultations to jointly support students in the classroom as well as in the placement setting; development and delivery of workshops for faculty and staff; and promoting CHS services such as employment support and mental health counseling.

The joint initiatives have provided faculty and staff with tools to eliminate barriers. Student workshops have also provided opportunities to learn about employment supports and assistive devices that can increase access to the learning environment available through the CHS.

“About ten per cent of our student population has a disability and we want to ensure all our students can be successful and all the services we offer at the centre end up supporting that commitment,” Said vice-president of Student Affairs Margaret Greenley as she spoke of the importance of the ASC.

This past year, the ASC logged more than 12,300 service hours where interpreters or computerized note takers were in class providing assistance at both Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). Arbour, who is responsible for the scheduling and implementation of this service, has attended several external training sessions to continue her professional development and develop workshops for faculty and support staff in collaboration with the CHS.

“It is important that any student that walks though the doors has access to an inclusive environment,” said Arbour. “We appreciated the opportunity to work with the CHS to eliminate barriers and are looking forward to continued work with the faculty and staff to benefit all students.”

Houghton provides leadership and support for the ASC staff and has played a major role in ensuring students have access to technological devices that will ensure further inclusion. This past year, the ASC purchased the Bellman Alerting system which will help provide more inclusive placement opportunities for deaf, deafened and hard of hearing students. The Bellman Alerting system is a small portable device that uses flashing lights or strong vibrations to help individuals identify sounds that they would normally be unable to detect such as phones, alarms and doors.

“CHS has been our strongest partnership this year,” said Houghton. “We really appreciate all the support they have given us.”

Along with deaf, deafened or hard of hearing students, the ASC also provides services for students with learning disabilities as well as ADHD, physical, medical, mental health and visual disabilities. More than 1,000 students were registered with the ASC in the 2012-13 academic year.