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GOAL: A Golden Hawk’s Orientation to Accessible Learning
Welcome Golden Hawks!
GOAL - A Golden Hawk's Orientation to Accessible Learning - orients you to the services and supports available to you at Laurier. It will also give you the skills and tools that will help you start off on the right track and thrive as a Golden Hawk!
⇒ TIP - Bookmark and visit these GOAL resources throughout the academic year.
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Student Programs
We offer hands-on, semi-structured and drop in programs specially designed to help students with disabilities thrive at Laurier. From learning how to use your accommodations and connecting with like-minded peers to building self-advocacy skills with instructors, our programs empower you to gain confidence and independence throughout your academic journey.
Join fellow students and Accessible Learning staff for a cozy time with warm drinks and simple crafts—no experience needed!
This relaxed drop-in is a great opportunity to unwind, meet other Laurier students, and connect with our team in a welcoming space.
Waterloo
Peters Building, Room 224
- Wednesday, January 28th, 1 - 2 pm
- Wednesday, February 25, 1 - 2 pm
- Wednesday, March 25, 1 - 2 pm
Brantford
OneMarket, OM207-47
- Tuesday, February 24, 2 - 3 pm
Looking for a space to relax, connect with peers who understand, and stay on track throughout the semester? Join our COMPASS program—a supportive community for students with disabilities.
Enjoy fun, laid-back activities like crafts and board games while building meaningful connections. Each week, take part in a short self-reflection to help you stay organized and focused. Get guidance on navigating campus services and making the most of your accommodations.
COMPASS is your space to:
- Build community
- Strengthen self-advocacy
- Find support when you need it
Snacks, warm drinks, and good company included! Drop in—registration not required!
Waterloo
Peters Building, P224
- Tuesday, January 13, 4 - 5 pm
- Tuesday, January 20, 4 - 5 pm
- Tuesday, January 27, 4 - 5 pm
- Tuesday February 3, 4 - 5 pm
- Tuesday, February 10, 4- 5 pm
- Tuesday, February 24, 4 - 5 pm
- Tuesday, March 3, 4 - 5 pm
- Tuesday, March 10, 4 - 5 pm
- Tuesday, March 17, 4 - 5 pm
- Tuesday, March 24, 4 - 5 pm
- Tuesday, March 31, 4 - 5 pm
Brantford
OneMarket, OM207-47
- Thursday, January 22, 1:30 - 3 pm
- Wednesday, February 11, 1:30 - 3 pm
- Wednesday, March 4, 1:30 - 3 pm
- Thursday, March 26, 1:30 - 3 pm
Not sure how to organize your due dates—or just need a little help getting started? Take the stress out of planning—let's do it together.
In this session, you'll learn how to:
- Find and organize the due dates for each of your courses.
- Fill our your calendar and map out the term.
- Create a weekly routine that works for you.
- Discover tips and tricks for staying on track.
What to Bring
- The syllabi for each of your courses
- Your paper or electronic calendar
Email Mackenzie - mmorgan@wlu.ca to register for one of the times below.
Waterloo
Peters Building, P224, In-Person
- Monday, January 12, 11 am - 12 pm
- Thursday, January 15, 1 - 2 pm
- Wednesday, January 21, 1 - 2 pm
Virtual
- Tuesday, January 13, 11 am - 12 pm
- Friday, January 16, 11 am - 12 pm
- Tuesday, January 20, 11 - 12 pm
Need structured study time to stay accountable? Prefer studying around others to help you focus? Join us for Study Hall—a focus-friendly enviornment designed to keep you on track.
Here's what you'll find:
- A quiet, supportive space for studying.
- Learning strategy support for organization and study tips.
- The benefits of body-doubling (working alongside others).
- Warm drinks and snacks to keep you fueled.
Whether you need accountability or just a calm place to work, Study Hall is for you.
Drop in during any of the times below.
Waterloo
Peters Building, P119
- Thursday, January 22, 2 - 4 pm
- Thursday, January 29, 2 - 4 pm
- Thursday, February 5, 2- 4 pm
- Thursday, February 12, 2 - 4 pm
- Thursday, February 26, 2 - 4 pm
- Thursday, March 5, 2 - 4 pm
- Thursday, March 19, 2 - 4 pm
- Thursday, April 2, 2 - 4 pm
- Thursday, April 9, 2 - 4 pm
- Thursday, April 16, 2 - 4 pm
- Thursday, April 23, 2 - 4 pm
Brantford
Dates coming!
Personal Success Plan
As an incoming student, you will will be invited to a one-on-one appointment with a Learning Strategiest for personal success planning after meeting with your Accommodation Consultant.
This personal success planning session is your opportunity to:
- Reflect on what success at Laurier means for you.
- Clarify your academic and personal goals.
- Talk confidentially about managing university studies with a disability.
- Collaborate on a personalized plan with clear objectives, tasks, and timelines.
Together, you and your Learning Strategist will build a roadmap tailored to your strengths, needs, and aspirations—setting you up for a confident and successful start at Laurier.
⇒ Visit Step 3: Meet Your Learning Strategist to learn what to expect and how to prepare for your first Personal Succes Planning session.
GOAL Resources
As an incoming student, you are encouraged to explore the resources below which we carefully selected to support your smooth and successful transition to Laurier.
Learning Strategies
Connect with the Learning Strategists Team at Accessible Learning for personalized success planning, study and learning strategies or questions about using your accommodations. We are here to help.
YOU are the author of successfully using your academic accommodations at Laurier— it starts with your attention and follow-through.
Follow these tips for staying on track:
- Save Your Follow Up Email - After your first meeting with your Accommodation Consultant, save the follow-up email. It includes important instructions and links to help you activate and use your accommodations.
- Bookmark and Check the Using Your Accommodations Page Regularly - This is your go-to resource for step-by-step instructions and videos.
- Don't Miss Out - Stay aware of Exam Booking Deadlines for Accessible Learning to ensure your accommodations are in place.
- Review the Accessible Learning Exam Protocols - Know what to expect and how to prepare for accommodated exams at Laurier.
Self-Advoacy means:
- Understanding Yourself - Know your strengths, skills, and areas for growth.
- Clarifing Your Goals - Reflect on your academic and personal goals—and adjust them as you grow.
- Knowing Your Responsibilities and Rights - Be informed.
- Communicating Clearly - Express your access and learning needs with confidence and clarity.
To support your success as a student with a disability at Laurier, you are responsible for:
- Registering with Accessible Learning - Confidentially identify yourself to Laurier as a student with a disability by registering with Accessible Learning.
- Submitting Documentation - Provide documentation of your disability and inform Accessible Learning of any changes or new concerns.
- Preparing for Your First Meeting - Come ready to engage in your initial meeting with your Accommodation Consultant.
- Responding to Communications - Act on emails from Accessible Learning — including appointment bookings, activating or re-activating accommodations, and booking accommodated exams.
- Reading Your Service Agreements - Ensure that you understand the service agreements included with your accommodation plan.
Your Rights
Laurier is committed to upholding your rights as a student with a disability guided by the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Learn more about Laurier's committment to advancing the rights of people with disabilities in the life and work of the University.
As a student with a disability at Laurier, you have a right to:
- Be treated with dignity and respect.
- Equal opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and achieving academic success.
- Confidential, timely, and personalized support.
- Fair and impartial resolution of your concerns.
Review the Accessible Learning Policies and Procedures pages for more information.
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Transition From High School
At Laurier, the process for receiving academic accommodations is different from what you may have experienced in high school. Here are some key differences:
- You must self-identify. You must let Accessible Learning know yourself that you need supports because you have a disability. No one can do this on your behalf.
- You need current documentation. This documentation must confirm your disability and outline your functional limitations. High School IEPs are not sufficient.
- We work directly with you, not your parents. Privacy laws prevents us from speaking with your parents about your accommodations or academic progress, but we encourage you to keep them informed.
- Accommodations support access, not outcomes. Accommodations remove barriers to learning - they do not modify academic requirements or guarantee success.
Need More Support?
We encourage you to connect with any of the following services and supports designed to help you succeed at Laurier.
- Laurier Residence - Accommodations for living in residence
- Funding Options for students with disabilities
- Library Accessibility Hub
- Career Resources for students with disabilities
- Accessibilty at Laurier
- Student Wellness - family physician, nursing, and counselling services
- HawkWalk - A safe escort by foot or van during daily evening hours
We also encourage students to visit this free resource - Transition Resource Guide for Postsecondary (TRG) Students with Disabilities. TRG is a free, four module asynchronous course to designed to help students with disabilities start their first semister at university with confidence.