Improve education and training for professionals supporting students in WIL
There are often shortcomings with the accessibility services of post-secondary institutions, so by educating WIL professionals on access challenges and solutions, students can co-ordinate directly with their supervisors to ensure that their needs are met.
Example tactics:
- Offer educational or training sessions, webinars, or teach-ins.
- Communicate information surrounding these opportunities to increase awareness among WIL professionals and educators e.g. by connecting with Experiential and Work Integrated Learning Ontario (EWO).
- Policy brief: Advocate for mandatory training where appropriate.
Some resources for education and training opportunities include:
- Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health: Offers resources for knowledge sharing, training, toolkits, resources, events and forums.
- Accessible Campus: Information on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, barriers to accessibility, accessible event and conference planning, how to interact with persons with disabilities, resources to help educators and administrators create accessible learning environments and meet the requirements of the AODA.
- Accessibility Institute: “We offer courses and formal training in various knowledge and skill areas related to accessibility and disabilities,” which includes the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) Training.