Circles of support for students with disabilities

Weekly Circles meetings are a chance for students with disabilities to meet and discuss the academic challenges they are facing. Circles is an initiative of Concordia’s Access Centre for Students with Disabilities (ACSD).

The program, launched in 2010 by Charles Altman, Technology Consultant for Advocacy and Support Services, is unique to Concordia. He says the idea for the meetings stemmed from the fact that students, especially those with disabilities, often reach a point where lectures and professors aren’t enough. The Circles meetings provide an opportunity for them to share the problems they are confronted with and to come up with solutions as a group.

“Often, a student will bring up a problem they are having, and another student will say ‘I’ve been in a similar situation, and this is how I dealt with it’,” he says. “Students talk about what’s on their plate this week, what they are working on, and we try to find a way a fellow student could be of help to them.”

Altman explains that the system benefits students both giving and receiving help. When a student receives tips or ideas from their peers, it encourages them to take the next step. On the other hand, when a student offers their input by explaining a concept, it deepens their own understanding of the subject matter. The larger ACSD student population takes part because Altman emails the notes from the session and additional tips each week, which stimulate online discussion and help-seeking.

“All problems are brought to the Circles by students. I just act as the instigator,” laughs Altman. “I am genuinely interested in the work they do so I try to get them talking about what’s working for them, and what areas they could use help with.”

Manon Charland is an undergraduate sociology student at Concordia. She is dyslexic and also has attention deficit disorder (ADD). She attends the Circles meetings on a regular basis, and feels that they have been a great source of support.

“Charles’ Circles meetings are very helpful for me,” says Charland. “They have permitted me to look at different opportunities and techniques to help me out with my different issues at hand. Often, issues could be addressed by other students’ own experience and input.”

The Circles have led to workshops that focus exclusively on other academic topics related to living with disabilities: In recent weeks, Altman has run a workshop on concentration strategies while on medication. Altman explains that many ACSD students take medication like psychostimulants, antipsychotic drugs, or others that may affect a person’s ability to concentrate. Together, they discuss ways of coping with these challenges.

Circles are held every Thursday afternoon. Students must be registered with the ACSD in order to attend.

Related links:
•    ACSD
•    ACSD workshops