Accessible Learning Peer Support
Peer Support Volunteers help students registered with Accessible Learning make the most of the accommodations and supports available to them at Laurier. Peer Support volunteers deliver support programming in person, virtually, or during posted drop-in hours.
Accessible Learning Peer Support volunteers help students with disabilities access many supports at Laurier, including:
- IT programs like MyLS, Office365, and Loris
- Campus life and clubs
- Student supports
- Academic coaching, like note-taking, reading, writing, and study strategies
- Getting around campus
- Managing accommodations in Accessible Learning Online.
Access Peer Support
Email us at alpeers@wlu.ca to book a meeting with a member of our Peer Support team.
In your email, (a) briefly describe what you want to discuss, (b) indicate if you want to meet in person or virtually, and (c) list at least three (3) of the appointment times below that you are available.
A Peer Support volunteer will reply, confirming your appointment time and location.
Winter 2024 |
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| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 12 noon - 1 p.m. | 10:30 - 11:20 a.m. | 1 - 2 p.m. | 12 noon - 1 p.m. | 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
| 12 noon - 1 p.m. | 1 - 2 p.m. | |||
| 1 - 2 p.m. | ||||
Join the Peer Support Team
Get involved! Contribute to making Laurier inclusive, supportive, and welcoming by volunteering for Accessible Learning's peer support program.
We are looking for volunteers to serve as academic coaches, social media, and accessibility awareness coordinators. Working with Accessible Learning as a Peer Volunteer, you can learn skills in program coordination, project development, and working with students with disabilities. See below for detailed position descriptions.
How to Apply
Application deadline for 2024/25 Academic Year: April 30, 2024
Complete the application form to express your interest.
Position Descriptions
Purpose
The primary role of this position is to organize department and campus-wide events to support students and promote Accessible Learning services and accessibility
Time Commitment
- Minimum two semesters at two hours/week plus monthly one hour team meeting
Qualifications
- Project management and event planning skills
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with social media platforms
- Creative and highly motivated
- Ability to work independently and as a team
- Leadership skills
Responsibilities
- Initiate projects related to the functions of Accessible Learning (past projects included developing Accessible Learning's Accessibility Awareness Campaign and information booths)
- Create content for social media related programming and events using Accessible Learning's Facebook page
- Develop and deliver workshops, tutorials, and larger programmed events for Accessible Learning
- Liaise with other university staff and departments to collaborate on programmed events
- Maintain weekly office hours (2 hours/week)
- Attend training, as requested/required
- Maintain confidentiality
- Initiate other projects based on interest, as discussed with supervisor
Training and Supervision
- Successfully complete a full day of volunteer training prior to the start of the fall term
- Complete components of the Accessible Learning Accessibility Workshop Series
- WHMIS, AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act), LWHSA training and other training as deemed necessary by Laurier
Benefits
- Develop knowledge regarding disability, accessibility, communication, presentation, and helping skills
- Gain leadership experience for inclusion on resumes and Laurier's Experience Record
Purpose
The primary role of this position is to support the note taking program by assisting in the coordination of recruitment, recognition, and other special events for Accessible Learning volunteers
Qualifications
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Event planning skills
- Creative and highly motivated
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Experience with social media platforms
- Ability to work independently and as a team
Responsibilities
- Provide direct assistance with the recruitment, training, and recognition of volunteer note takers
- Create content for social media related to volunteer recruitment/recognition using Accessible Learning's Facebook page
- Develop and deliver workshops and/or tutorials as directed at students and volunteers on the topic of note taking
- Initiate projects related to student supports and Accessible Learning
- Maintain weekly office hours (2 hours/week)
- Attend training, as requested/required
- Maintain confidentiality
- Initiate other projects based on interest, as discussed with supervisor
Training and Supervision
- Successfully complete a full day of volunteer training prior to the start of the fall term
- Complete components of the Accessible Learning Accessibility Workshop Series
- WHMIS, AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act), LWHSA training and other training as deemed necessary by Laurier
Benefits
- Develop knowledge regarding disability, accessibility, communication, presentation, and helping skills
- Gain leadership experience for inclusion on resumes and Laurier's Experience Record
Purpose
The primary role of this position is to support Accessible Learning students transitioning into the department by helping them to navigate processes, programming, procedures, and accommodations
Qualifications
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Event planning skills
- Creative and highly motivated
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Experience with social media platforms
- Ability to work independently and as a team
Responsibilities
- Initiate projects related to orienting students to Accessible Learning
- Create content for social media related to programming, processes, and procedures using Accessible Learning's Facebook page
- Develop and deliver workshops, tutorials, and larger programmed events for Accessible Learning
- Initiate projects related to student support and Accessible Learning
- Maintain weekly office hours (2 hours/week)
- Attend training, as requested/required
- Maintain confidentiality
- Initiate other projects based on interest, as discussed with supervisor
Training and Supervision
- Successfully complete a full day of volunteer training prior to the start of the fall term
- Complete components of the ALC Accessibility Workshop Series
- WHMIS, AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act), LWHSA training and other training as deemed necessary by Laurier
Benefits
- Develop knowledge regarding disability, accessibility, communication, presentation, and helping skills
- Gain leadership experience for inclusion on resumes and Laurier's Experience Record
Purpose
- To provide group and individual support and assistance to students with disabilities in developing the following areas: memory, time management, effective reading, note taking, writing skills, exam preparation and exam writing.
Time Commitment
- Minimum two semesters at four hours/week, plus biweekly one-hour team meeting.
Qualifications Required
- Caring, empathic and sensitive to the needs of students with disabilities.
- Dependable, punctual, dedicated, motivated and patient.
- Self-starter, creative and able to work independently with great attention to detail.
- Strong customer service, listening and interpersonal skills.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and organize educational materials for student with disabilities.
- Work one-on-one with students registered with Accessible Learning to develop learning strategies.
- Co-organize and present study skills workshops for Accessible Learning students.
- Initiate projects related to learning strategies.
- Maintain confidentiality and respect boundaries as described in the Peer Support Handbook.
Training and Supervision
- Successfully complete a one-day volunteer orientation and training session during O-Week.
- Acquire working knowledge of the six basic study skills modules developed by Accessible Learning's learning strategists.
- Regular ongoing supervision provided by the learning strategists. Any concerns will be taken to the educational planner for resolution, and, if required, to the Accessible Learning manager.
Benefits
- Develop knowledge regarding disability, communication, presentation and helping skills.
- Develop critical thinking skills that evaluate student progress and offer programming to meet assessed needs.
- Gain leadership experience for inclusion on resumes and Laurier’s Experience Record.
Purpose
- To assist Accessible Learning with the coordination of various projects such as the annual Awareness Week and the student support program for students with disabilities (as required by students). Update and manage the Accessible Learning Facebook page, coordinate Instagram Takeovers
Time Commitment
- Minimum two semesters at two hours/week plus monthly one hour team meeting
Qualifications Required
- Experience with Social Media platforms
- Caring, empathic, and sensitive to the needs of students with disabilities
- Dependable, punctual, dedicated, and patient
- Self-starter, creative, highly motivated and able to work independently
- Excellent communication, listening, interpersonal, time management and organizational skills
- Experience in the helping role is an asset
- Knowledge of the campus and community resources/services
Responsibilities
- Initiate projects related to the functions of Accessible Learning (past projects included developing Accessible Learning’s Awareness events, and providing disability training for Laurier groups)
- Co-ordinate one-on-one support for students with disabilities. Support is student-need driven in a variety of campus activities, including offering tutorials to new students, guiding/accompanying students on campus, and supporting students in recreational support
- Update and manage the Accessible Learning Facebook page, research for relevant content
- Maintain confidentiality and respect boundaries as described in the Peer Support Handbook
Training and Supervision
- Successfully complete a one-day volunteer orientation and training session during O-Week
- Specific position training is provided by the Educational Supports Coordinator.
- Regular ongoing supervision provided by the Educational Supports Coordinator. Should concerns arise, they will be taken to the Accessible Learning Manager for resolution.
Benefits
- Develop knowledge regarding disability, communication, program management and helping skills
- Gain leadership experience for inclusion on resumes and your Laurier Experience Record.