Recognizing resilience and supporting success: A student’s journey back to school with Accessibility Services support

Dec. 2, 2024

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed on Dec. 3, this important day reminds us of the value of fostering an inclusive and accessible environment for all. At Georgian, we celebrate the unique strengths of every student and are committed to providing the support needed for success in and out of the classroom.

We’re here to help with accessibility. Whether you’re a current student or considering Georgian for your studies, our accessibility advisors are ready to discuss accommodations, offer support, and advocate for those navigating physical, medical, sensory, mental health, or learning challenges. Your success is our priority.

Meet Christine Chapman, a first-year Paralegal student. Christine shared her journey with Accessibility Services at Georgian, her decision to return to school, and her inspiring experience overcoming a hemorrhagic stroke.

Why did you choose the Paralegal program at Georgian?

I chose Georgian because I had taken courses there before and I enjoyed the learning and the instructors. 

How has your experience at Georgian been thus far?

I’ve enjoyed the support and the process of my transition to a new learning experience. There have been some “glitches”, and I found the accessibility advisors very helpful in working these out. The instructors are very empathetic and have adjusted their process to accommodate my learning requirements.

What accommodations or supports have been most helpful for you at Georgian?

There are so many amazing supports here at Georgian and some of the most important ones are the accessibility advisors and the Testing Services. The students at Georgian have been exceedingly kind and have offered to help with many different things; their smiles and willingness to help with kindness is encouraging. I feel like I belong here.

Are there any misconceptions about your disability that you’d like to clarify?

I don’t feel like there are misconceptions about my disability, just that people are reserved about asking about it and I understand that. People with disabilities feel different ways about sharing what’s going on with them. 

For myself, I feel that sharing helps people become more comfortable around me. I always try to put a positive spin on what’s going on and use a little bit of humor to make it more comfortable not just for them, but for myself as well.

I’m trying to take things one step at a time. I want to make my learning process the most important thing right now. I feel like an opportunity will present itself when it’s time. I just want to enjoy the process and feel like I’m contributing to myself, my community and my family. I want my family to be proud of me. I want to show that even though I’ve had a huge setback I can still go forward.

What’s one accomplishment or milestone you’re particularly proud of related to disability advocacy or personal growth?

I had a hemorrhagic stroke just over four years ago, and my prognosis was not great. Just surviving the stroke was a huge step. That was not an accomplishment for me, it was just the beginning. The things that I felt like I’ve accomplished were learning to speak again, learning to walk, and getting my driver’s licence back.

I’m now confident enough to take another step – going to school. It’s important for me to give back to my community, and I was recently appointed to the Wasaga Beach Accessibility Advisory Committee.  I want to help my community be accessible to everyone.  

What advice would you give to other students with disabilities who are navigating through school?

The most important thing I did to make my transition smoother was to investigate the school by visiting and meeting with the coordinator of my program (Paralegal) and an accessibility advisor. I was able to walk around the campus and figure out where parking spots and elevators were. Many day-to-day things would have overwhelmed me had I not done that.

It was important for me to be comfortable with my disability and then I could be comfortable with my next step. 

Something I wish I had done sooner was to become acquainted with my adaptations and computer programs before I started the actual schoolwork.

You can reach out for support at any time in your academic journey but if you know you’ll need support before you begin at Georgian, it’s recommended you start the process up to six months before your first semester.

Learn more about Accessibility Services and start enhancing your Georgian experience today.