Transitioning to University

Transitioning to University

Workshops and Events

We offer a variety of programs throughout the year to help you, your family and support team plan and prepare for you to transition from high school to university. Please see the Upcoming Events calendar below for upcoming programming.

WHEN: Monday, August 19 to Friday, August 23, 2024
WHERE: In-person, Keele campus (exact location TBA)

Project ADVANCE (PA) is a workshop and event series designed to help set you up for success as you begin or continue your studies at York.

As a PA participant you will have the opportunity to:

  • Discover strategies to thrive at York University
  • Engage with university-level material and develop strategies for new academic expectations 
  • Navigate York’s Keele campus and learn about the many supports and services available  
  • Develop self-advocacy skills 
  • Develop and enhance strategies to support your wellness 
  • Meet a community of peers and start building your campus network
  • Learn about Assistive Technology (AT) that might be useful during your studies
  • Engage with eClass, the main online teaching platform used at York, before classes start

PA has been designed for students with disabilities making the transition from high school to university, however, any student registered with our office is welcome to take part in a workshop or event.

To participate, complete the Project ADVANCE Application Form. The application deadline is Monday, August 12, 2024.

Students will receive a certificate of completion for participating.

Not registered with Student Accessibility Services?

Register with us early to take advantage of our summer programming! Information about how to register with our office is available on the New to Our Office page of our website.

Questions? Please contact eechoi@yorku.ca.

Have you previously received academic accommodations, such as an Individual Education Plan (IEP)? Student Accessibility Services provides individualized academic accommodation planning and support to students with learning disabilities/disorders, chronic health and mental health conditions, a neurodiversity (ADD, ADHD, autism), traumatic brain injuries, physical or mobility disabilities and/or sensory disabilities. 

On Transition Tuesdays, we answer questions about the academic accommodation process, introduce students to key campus supports and help facilitate a successful transition to York.  Sessions will take place virtually (via Zoom). Students and their parents, or other support persons, are welcome to attend! 

Register below to attend a session:

*Registration is required.

Student Accessibility Services provides individualized academic accommodation planning and support to students with learning disabilities/disorders, chronic health and mental health conditions, a neurodiversity (ADD, ADHD, autism), traumatic brain injuries, physical or mobility disabilities and/or sensory disabilities. Attend this session to learn about the supports and services offered through Student Accessibility Services and how to register. Sessions will take place virtually (via Zoom). Students, parents and/or support persons are welcome to attend!

All high school students and parents (or other support persons) who have questions or concerns about the transition to university for students with disabilities are invited to attend this session. This workshop is for you, your family and support team to ask questions about the transition to university.

You will learn about:

  • Documentation required to access academic accommodations;
  • The supports and accommodations available through Student Accessibility Services at York;
  • Transition planning.

This workshop will take place from 7 to 8p.m. on the dates listed below. To participate, register before the workshop begins. 

Questions? E-mail us at projecta@yorku.ca.

This informational day is designed for grade 10, 11, and 12 students who are Autistic and planning to attend post-secondary, as well as their families. High school educators and support staff are also cordially invited.

Join us to explore key insights! You'll delve into:

  • The transition realities facing students and their families
  • How to access support
  • Strategies for academic success
  • Insights into student life at the university shared by current York students
  • Methods to nurture and strengthen independence

Session Details:

Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024
Time: 9am to 1pm
Location: Hybrid (registrants can choose to take part in-person or virtually)

Registration:

To participate, complete this online Registration Form. Registration closes Monday, February 12th.

Have questions? Reach out to us at projecta@yorku.ca.

Do you have questions or concerns about the transition to post-secondary studies for students with disability-related IEPs?

We will have a booth at Fall Campus Day and Spring Open House to help high school students, families, and their support team with the transition to university.

Come say hello and learn about:

  • which documents you need to register with our office
  • types of support we offer
  • planning for life at university

Visit the Future Students website to register for Fall Campus Day or Spring Open House.

Language and Learning Seminar Course (LLS1000) Course Time for 2024/25:

LLS1000 will take place on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is an in-person course taking place at York’s Keele campus.

Objectives

This six-credit course is primarily intended to assist students with disabilities in their transition to university studies at York. Students at other levels may enroll but need to understand that the focus is geared towards the first-year experience.

In the Fall term students are introduced to theories of academic success such as Grit, Growth Mindset, and the Five Senses of Success Model. Students will develop an understanding of the medical model and the social model of disability, as well as the etiology of a variety of disabilities, self-advocacy and the work of advocates who fight for inclusion. Students will also develop an understanding of the theory of intersectionality and will become familiar with the principles of universal design, the Human Rights Commission’s policy on accessible education and the AODA.

In the Winter term students will engage in conversation about health and wellness as well as career development.

Stress and stress management techniques are reviewed, and students engage in mindfulness, breathing techniques, and yoga. Students are also provided with a framework to evaluate their own signs of stress and develop a resource to support their stress management. Students are then introduced to career development theories and topics of disability and career, such as disability disclosure in the workplace.

Throughout the course students will learn a variety of learning strategies to support academic success.

To enrol in LLS 1000, you must:

  • be registered with Student Accessibility Services
  • have permission from the course instructor

LLS 1000 Enrollment Request Form

Student Accessibility Services at York University offers a 3-hour workshop to high school service providers (such as teachers and guidance counsellors) and clinicians who work with students preparing to move on to university. The focus of this workshop is the transition to university for students with disabilities.

Topics of discussion include:

  • Academic accommodations at post-secondary
  • Medical/psychological documentation needed to access academic accommodations
  • Registration with our office
  • Overview of supports and services available through our office
  • Disability related financial information such as the Bursary for Students with Disabilities

This workshop will take place via Zoom on Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 9am-12pm. The session will be recorded and emailed to participants.

Registration

Please register online before December 7. Complete this Registration Form.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the workshop.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the workshop.

Questions? Email us at projecta@yorku.ca.

Strengthening Transitions

Strengthening Transitions supports Autistic students as they transition from high school to university life. The aim is to provide comprehensive support designed to create spaces for students to thrive academically and socially, while emphasizing the importance of mental health and well-being. We continue to shape an environment that is responsive and adaptive to the needs of Autistic individuals and their support people at York University.

This program, supported by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, is a testament to York and Ontario's commitment to inclusivity and diversity. We are proud to say that our efforts have contributed to improved student retention, graduation rates and overall academic achievements, contributing to a culture of inclusivity that paves the way for other institutions.

For additional information about the Strengthening Transitions Service, contact program coordinator Raymond Peart at rpeart@yorku.ca.

Embarking on your post-secondary education is an exciting step, and we're here to make sure you're not alone in this transition. Strengthening Transitions empowers Autistic students through personalized academic skills coaching, designed to amplify your unique strengths and enable you to thrive within the university environment. Strengthening Transitions includes:

  • Personalized guidance on transitioning to post-secondary education for you and your supports (parents, families, service providers, etc.)
  • Personalized academic skills coaching geared towards each student’s strengths
  • A network of peers and mentors to support your university journey

Upcoming Events