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Accessibility

accessibility

Accessibility is the practice of making virtual and physical spaces usable by as many people as possible. The following resources and stories include tips and strategies on how we can embody accessible practices and mindsets. This includes sharing ways to overcome personal challenges with inaccessible places, opportunities to work in accessible workplaces, and how to implement accessible practices in your day-to-day. 

Student sitting at a table working on a laptop
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Navigating Workplace Accommodations for Individuals with a Disability

Inclusion and accommodation are essential components of a healthy and productive workplace. These factors can significantly impact employees’ ability to succeed in their careers.

Desk
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Accessible Online Content

Going all digital seemed like the best thing with COVID-19, but for people with access needs that have long been ignored, this past year’s transition to online work and life reflects how accessibility considerations are often an afterthought.

A person using a white cane on an outdoor path
Blog
It's Just a White Cane, It Won't Bite

Being a visually-impaired person on a university campus has its own unique difficulties on top of being a university student. Read Jillian's experience on what makes the campus accessible for her, and what resources she uses to make the most of her university career.

A computer with a braille keyboard
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The Invisible Hand: In Regards to Helping a Disabled Person

Even the most well-meaning actions can have unintended consequences. Read SFU student Jillian's piece on what some of the dos and don'ts are for providing help to a blind person are. 

A young man sitting on a park bench, listening to music with his seeing cane resting beside him
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Today I Experienced the World Through the Perspective of a Person who is Blind

Roop was on her way home from school when a new passenger boarded the bus. Using a creative, short story narrative, she takes us through her internal dialogue and challenges assumptions. Read on to learn where this journey ends up taking Roop.

Alyssa Chan and her team at work
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From Doubtful to Confident: How I Adapted to Working Life

Sometimes self-doubt can get the better of us. Read Alyssa's article to find out how they were able to overcome feelings of doubt and transform them into self-confidence. 

Jien
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'Til We Meet Again

Recently graduated, Jien Hilario reflects back on university, career choices, convocation and her blog series I Am Able. 

a basketball goal went in
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#Goals: Lessons from Bo Sanchez

Having a goal allows us to take aim and move forward. Jien, shares lessons in goal-setting from Bo Sanchez's How to Conquer your Goliaths, and offers her own personal experiences of goal-setting and achieving. 

johnny bunko comic
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Right Versus Wrong: Career Lessons from Johnny Bunko

Success does not follow a linear path and neither will your career. Jien shares some fundamental lessons from "The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need.", while also reflecting on her own personal experiences learning these lessons. 

a woman holding a mug that says "like a boss"
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Too Legit To Quit (Your Job, That Is)

How do you know if a job posting is legit? After applying to over 100 jobs, Jien has a few tips to help you decode that job posting. 

friends standing together having a good time
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From Recreation to Mentorship: Getting Involved with People with Disabilities

Working with people with disabilities can enable you to understand their experiences better. What better way to do so than having fun at the ocean or in the mountains? Here are some ideas for volunteering with those with disabilities. 

Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere
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Why Doesn’t Canada Have a Disabilities Act?

It is 2018 and Canada has not yet implemented adequate protection and legislation for people with disabilities. When it comes to equality for all, Canada is falling far behind. In this article, Jien discusses the research and reality of why Canada needs a Disabilities Act.

We Can Do It!
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How to Satisfy Your Inner Activist

When people think about social justice, they think of things like protests or hunger strikes, but the options don’t end there. These volunteer organizations can help you satisfy your inner activist.

Photo of Tony Botelho and Albert Fung
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How Volunteering Can Help You: With Tony Botelho and Albert Fung

In this article, Jien discusses volunteerism through Tony Botelho and Albert Fung of SFU’s Career and Volunteer Services. Read more to explore the benefits of volunteering for students with and without disabilities.

Jien Hilario photo
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What’s in a Name? Coming to Terms With Labelling Myself as a Person With a Disability

If you were to see Jien on campus, you wouldn’t know that she had a disability. She does not use a wheelchair nor does she have a seeing eye dog. She has an invisible disability. In this article, Jien shares her journey on how she came to terms with labeling herself as a person with a disability. 

a person standing on top of a hill staring at the horizon
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How Volunteering Helped Me Expand My Career Options

Trying new things and volunteering to help your community can open up new options and ideas, some of which can be life-changing, and may direct you down a path that you never imagined you would be on. 

a different perspective by holding up a sphere against a background
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Nondisabled Privilege: What is it?

Privilege shapes our world in both visible and "invisible" ways. Jien discusses the ways in which privilege is granted to the non-disabled, and how acknowledging this privilege is one way we can all help. 

Author's front profile. He is wearing a blue half-sleeves shirt and black square framed glasses. He is standing in front of a blue building and some foliage.
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A Humbling First Experience

On the first day of school, your hearts racing, sweat is forming across the forehead and you're nervous beyond belief. Now imagine attending school as a co-op student on your first work term at Mediated Learning Academy - That's exactly how Andrew felt. Read about his experience with MLA!

Author and her young male student smiling at the camera and holding up tennis balls in both hands.The picture is set in a field with trees in the background.
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Making a Difference: My Co-op Experience as a Child Life Specialist

Emily, a Health Sciences Co-op student, worked for Western Society for Children (WSFC) as a Child Life Specialist. This allowed Emily to see the ability within disability, and realize that anyone has the power to make a difference. Read Emily's article to find out more about WSFC, and how good intentions lead to meaningful impacts!

(Left) Yassemi's profile. (Right) Title of the blog with three circles underneath it.
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An Experience Learning with Kids with Special Needs

Saba did her very first co-op work term at the Mediated Learning Academy. In this post, she shares her experiences working with children between the ages of 6 to 9 with special needs and the things she learned with them along the way.

A photo of the author
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The Way You See The World: Culture and Communication

Communication and interaction are fundamental parts of everyday life and a person’s ability to communicate and interact has a major impact on their well-being, happiness, and success. In this post, Akanksha shares her own experiences at the intersection of culture and communication.

A photo of the author at work
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Discovering Abilities with Developmental Disabilities Association

Since applying to the Kinesiology program at SFU, Lois knew one day they wanted to work as an Occupational Therapist. They spent time volunteering in recreation-based work, but when it came time to apply for a co-op, Lois decided to expand into the realm of teaching life skills.

Deborah
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Indigenous Career Journey Stories: Deborah L. Smith

"The road has been a long one and filled with many stops and starts. I would say never be afraid of having to do things over and over again because failure is not weakness or "bad". It's a way to know how to move forward." Read more to follow Deboarah's story. 

Combination of thank you messages
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How Seeing Less Helped Me See More

Finding out about an incurable genetic disease is definitely a game changer. With the right attitude it can be change in the right direction as I was able to get involved with CNIB (Canadian National Institute For The Blind) and support a new community of inspiring individuals.

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