Media

Understanding the Compounding Realities of Attendant Care Services in Higher Education: A Discussion Between Disabled Students and Service Providers

Join the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) on September 8 2023, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm ET, via Zoom, for a panel on the compounding realities of navigating attendant care services in the realms of higher education. This webinar is part of our Virtual Access for All project.

Navigating higher education as disabled students is challenging and often has multiple layers when advocating for access needs to be met – not only within the classroom, but also beyond it. This panel will explore the complexities in securing attendant care services whilst attempting to actively participate in student life on campus and throughout the community. Disabled students and service providers will come together to discuss the necessity of attendant care services and to unpack the various ways that care is accessed in higher education. 

Closed captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided. Registration is required – please register here. This event is a feature of our Virtual Access for All webinar series, which is generously supported by Employment and Social Development Canada's Supports for Student Learning Program. For further information and/or to discuss access needs, please contact Chloée C. Godin-Jacques, panel moderator, at chloee.godinjacques@neads.ca 

Danielle Daoust

Danielle Daoust (she/her) works for the Centre for Independent Living Toronto (CILT) as the Program Manager for Attendant Service Application Centre (ASAC). ASAC is the centralized point of access for individuals with physical disabilities applying for Attendant Services in Toronto and York Region. 

Danielle has been employed in the disability sector for 30 years, more recently 15 years with an Attendant Service provider for 15 years prior to working at CILT.  Danielle resides in Toronto Ontario

Kate Deacon

Kate Deacon (she/her) works for the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) as the Direct Funding Policy Advisor. Direct Funding is a Self-Managed Attendant Services program offered throughout the Province of Ontario. This innovative program enables adults with permanent physical disabilities to become the employers of their own attendants. Kate is a disabled woman and social worker with over a dozen years of experience working in the disability sector. Kate currently resides in Kingston, Ontario.

Kimberley Chiasson

Kimberley Chiasson is a 22-year-old first year grad student in Critical Disability Studies at York University. Her undergraduate degree program in Journalism at Carleton University opened her up new conversation of what it means to be disabled in post-secondary. Accepting this inherently political identity, she now strives to deconstruct ableist narratives in academia, focusing on the unique experiences of students who require care. Formerly a client of Carleton’s Attendant Services Program, she hopes her work as a budding disability scholar will demonstrate the potential behind a truly accessible future and the changes needed to accept disabled bodyminds as part of Canadian education.

Logan Wong, BSW. MSW, RSW (he/him)

Logan identifies as a trans, bi-racial, Autistic wheelchair user. Logan is a social worker & equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression, & accessibility Professional where he works in  supporting the creation, implementation, and sustainability of diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace cultures through conducting needs assessments, identifying skills gaps, developing, and executing training programs and initiatives.

About NEADS’ Virtual Access for All Project

NEADS' Virtual Access for All Project provides awareness and educational support for disabled students transitioning into higher education. Resources pertaining to accessibility and accommodation are provided through our quarterly State of the Schools reports. Our webinar series addresses topics such as self-advocacy, accessing accommodations at work and school, and transitioning into the workforce. Further, financial support is available through NEADS' Student Awards Program and Accessibility Resilience Program. Virtual Access for All is generously supported by Employment and Social Development Canada's Supports for Student Learning Program (Goal Getters) – and a two-year extension has recently been granted for this project.

Chloée C. Godin-Jacques, M.A (she/they | elle/iel), Education & Research Consultant | Consultante en éducation et recherche, National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS), Rm. 514 Unicentre, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6

NEADS Social Media

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

NEADS Websites

Main Site | Scholarships | Employment | Rights | Mailing List Sign-Up