Adult Special Education

Resource Directory for Post-secondary Students with Disabilities

Douglas College

Services

Website: http://www.douglas.bc.ca/services

How to Access Special Services

• Students requesting disability-based services and accommodations must present comprehensive, qualified, and current documentation that they have one or more impairments, which substantially limit one or more of their major life activities related to the request.
• Interview with the Centre for Students with Disabilities coordinator or learning specialist to determine eligibility for specific services. Eligibility for services is determined upon: documentation of the individual’s impairment and functional limitations, federal and provincial regulations and college policies, as well as the individual’s past experience with successful accommodations.
• Students who require services should contact the Centre at least three months prior to the semester they wish to attend at Douglas College.

For general information about services and programs, contact New Westminster campus at (604) 527-5486 or David Lam campus at (604) 777-6180.

Special Services/Equipment Available to Students

• Formal and informal identification of learning strengths and needs
• Instructional recommendations based on assessments
• Educational support for completing course requirements (tutoring, study skills, exam preparation)
• Sign language interpreters
• Readers/scribes
• Individualized accommodations and adaptation for exams
• Note-taking assistance and free NCR paper for lecture notes
• Transcriptions of materials to accessible format (Braille/Audio Tape)
• Ordering equipment and alternative formats
• Consultation and advocacy throughout the campus community
• Liaison with community-based disability service agencies
• Temporary accessible parking permits
• Referral to other college and community services

Learning Specialists

• recommend and facilitate implementation of accommodation
• assist with development of study skills and compensatory strategies to help students meet course requirements
• may conduct psycho-educational assessments when appropriate to find learning strengths and weaknesses
• instructors specialize in deafness and learning disabilities
• workshops

Equipment

• F.M. device and looping
• reader/scanner
• Brailler
• Braille printer
• Braille dictionary
• JAWS and DecTalk Express
• spellcheckers, talking calculators, decoders
• talking computers
• zoomtext
• adaptive computer lab
• speech system
• CCTV

Douglas College

Programs

New Directions

Website: http://www.douglas.bc.ca/BOEP

New Directions provides preparatory skills and educational support for adults with head injuries who are entering academic or career programs at post-secondary institutions. The program has two components, the Skills Development Course and the Learning Lab.

Skills Development Course

This course is for students who would like to begin or re-enter a program of college study, but find they need personal, vocational and learning skills development. Skills are developed in many areas including:

• problem solving techniques
• note taking and listening skills
• memory strategies
• stress management
• organizational skills
• time management
• academic reading and research skills
• test-taking techniques
• assertiveness training

Students will also work on setting realistic educational goals and will develop a personalized learning plan, which can be used in future educational programs.

Learning Lab

The Learning Lab provides structured support and skills development for students with head injuries who are already registered at Douglas College or at another post-secondary institution. Individual assistance is provided for completing assignments, reviewing and organizing notes, preparing for exams and other tasks related to students' current course work.

Program Details

How to Apply

For more information about eligibility and application requirements contact the Instructor, Jacquie Arndt at (604) 527-5118.

Career and Employment Preparation for Adults With Disability

Website: http://www.douglas.bc.ca/BOEP

The Career and Employment Preparation Program is designed for students who wish to identify and clarify career goals based on their interests and abilities. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend a n information interview; contact the instructor for time and dates. The CAEP Program will be helpful for students who wish to:

• make a career plan;
• develop study skills and self-management skills for a successful transition to further education;
• gain more work experience;
• explore vocational training options;
• learn and practice the skills to maintain an employment situation;
• identify and practice useful stress management skills for a higher level of employment performance;
• learn and practice communication skills for the workplace;
• explore the use of accommodations in the classroom and workplace; or,
• learn more about the job market and employer's expectations.

The program includes an introduction to the use of computers.

Program Details

How to Apply

1. Contact Mabel Izat (604) 527-5692 at Douglas College for information about the program.
2. Complete the application form and submit to registrar's office, with application fee.
3. Attend an information session.
4. Participate in an intake interview with Program Instructor.

Basic Occupational Education (BOE) Program

Website: http://www.douglas.bc.ca/BOEP

The Basic Occupational Education Program is designed for students with special learning needs, which may prevent them from taking traditional college courses. BOE students learn the work skills and work habits required in industry, in order to obtain employment. Upon completion of the BOE Program, students are often supported through community transition agencies, and industry, to identify and develop job opportunities specific to their training. The BOE program stresses individualized hands-on training. Students may enter the program at any time throughout the year providing space is available.

Electronic and General Assembly (EA)

EA assists students to learn the skills necessary for entry-level employment in the electronic, mechanical and general manufacturing industries. Students work with a variety of hand tools to assemble printed circuit boards, hardware and mechanical components. Upon completion, students may obtain employment in the electronics industry, in addition to other industries assembling bicycles, light fixtures, furniture, and a wide array of additional assembly jobs.

EA skills taught include, among others:

• electronic component preparation
• packaging and labeling
• circuit board assembly
• wire and cable assembly
• mechanical and hardware assembly
• soldering
• team participation
• self discipline
• workplace communication

Retail and Business Services (RB)

RB students learn the skills necessary to obtain entry-level employment in the business and retail sectors, with an emphasis on retail. Training focuses on routine clerical duties as performed in business and duties related to employment in retail and wholesale business environments. Graduates have obtained employment in a wide array of businesses.

RB skills taught include, among others:

• quality control and record keeping
• keyboarding
• basic data entry
• UPC Coding systems
• customer service
• pricing and labeling
• stocking and facing
• shipping, receiving
• stocking, shipping, receiving
• faxing, photocopying and collating mail room duties
• workplace communication

Food Services (FS)

The FS program prepares students to work at entry-level jobs in the restaurant industry. Training emphasizes dish washing, bussing, pot scrubbing, and kitchen maintenance. Students may also be introduced to basic food preparation and customer service skills. FS graduates have found employment at numerous locations throughout the lower mainland.

FS skills taught include, among others:

• dish washing
• pot scrubbing
• bussing
• workplace communication
• customer service, introduction to WHIMIS
• kitchen maintenance, safety
• Food safe

Graduation

In order to graduate, in any of the three options, students are expected to complete 10 months (on average) of training, which includes classroom, laboratory (hands on practice), and work experience (practicum) on employer sites. Students are required to complete at least two successful practicum experiences in order to graduate. An average of 81 percent of students obtain employment upon or soon after graduation.

Program Details

How to Apply

1. Complete a college application form.
2. Contact the BOE Program Coordinator at (604) 527-5126.
3. Applicants will have an assessment interview at the College.

Consumer and Job Preparation for Adults With Special Needs

Website: http://www.douglas.bc.ca/BOEP

The Consumer and Job Preparation program is designed for students with developmental disabilities to learn the personal, social and work skills needed to get and keep a job and to use community services. Students assess their interests and skills in class and try three different jobs at month long work placements.

Employment/Career Opportunities

The program provides students with a transition to entry-level work, further vocational training, or volunteering. Students may go on to training in Food Services, Assembly, Childcare, Warehousing, Automotive, Retail, Business or Supermarket careers. Graduates of the program have been employed in offices, stores, nurseries, food courts, restaurants, warehouses, factories, and at many other sites.

Admission Requirements

Students do not require reading and writing skills, but must have a method of communication. The College can provide interpreters for students with hearing impairments who are competent in American Sign Language (ASL). Students must want to work and be able to use public transit.

Program Details

How to Apply

1. Referrals to the Program are made through Community Living B.C. (CLBC).
2. Anyone interested in applying should contact the office in their community.
3. Referred students will have an assessment interview at the College to determine eligibility.

Transitions to Work Program

Website: www.douglas.bc.ca/BOEP

The Transitions to Work Program combines 12 weeks of on-the-job experience with training in workplace skills to help you become a competent and successful employee. This program is designed to assist people leaving the public school system who may require additional work experience, in addition to individuals who have been with out work for many reasons: parenting, illness, layoffs, disability, etc. The program runs 15 weeks (one semester), beginning with three weeks of in-class sessions (two days each week), followed by 12 weeks of on-the-job experience.

Program Features and Benefits

12 hours of in-class sessions covering

• time management and goal setting
• workplace communication skills
• on-the-job coping strategies

Job placement

• choosing the right work site
• developing effective work habits
• development of time-management, self management and people skills

Workplace Support

• during the 12-week job placement, students receive weekly visits from the instructor to cover on-the-job issues

Self-marketing Skills

• personal portfolio (resume, cover letter, etc.)
• job search techniques
• networking

Experience

• as a graduate of the Transitions to Work Program, the student will upgrade their employment skills, have increased understanding about their chosen work field, and be able to add new employment experience and employer contacts to their resume.

Program Details

Job placements in this program can be provided anywhere in the Lower Mainland. The opening six days of classroom sessions are offered at Douglas College's David Lam Campus, located at 1250 Pinetree Way in Coquitlam (three blocks north of the Coquitlam Centre). The program starts at the beginning of September and January of each year. For more information call Bob Logelin (Coordinator) at (604) 527-5126.

How to Apply

1. Contact Bob Logelin (604) 527-5126.
2. Participate in an intake review with Program Instructor.

Customer Service and Cashier Training Program

Website: www.douglas.bc.ca/BOEP

The Customer Service and Cashier Training program at Douglas College offers vocational training for adults with employment barriers. Training focuses on classroom, lab and practicum components which prepare students to work in customer service areas and cashiering positions. Program components include:

• Customer Service
• Introduction to Computers
• Basic Math Skills
• Adding Machine Skills
• Cashier (Point of Sale) Training
• Introduction to Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Duties
• Employability and Job Search Skills
• Practicum opportunities

Program Details

How to Apply

1. Contact the Instructor for information about the program.
2. Complete a Douglas College application form and submit to the Registrar's office with application fee.
3. Participate in an intake interview with the Instructor.

For more information and how to apply, contact Joy Conran (604) 777-6164.

NEW PROGRAM

Light Warehouse Training Program

Website: http://www.douglas.bc.ca/BOEP

The Light Warehouse Training Program has been designed specifically for people who face barriers to education and employment by addressing the essential skills necessary to obtain employment in the Distribution Centre and Warehouse Industry.

The Light Warehouse Training Program will provide specific training and realistic work experiences leading to job opportunities for students who wish to pursue a career in this field.

Training modules include:

Shipping and Receiving Procedures, Inventory Maintenance, Order Picking, Employability Skills, and Communications Skills among other areas.

Students will have the opportunity to obtain the following certificates:

• Forklift Operator
• WHMIS
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Occupational First Aid (Level 1)
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods

Program Details

How to Apply

1. Contact the Instructor for information about the program.
2. Complete a Douglas College application form and submit to the Registrar's office with application fee.
3. Participate in an intake interview with the Instructor.