Student Testimonials

To: Access and Disability Resources (ADR)

(anonymous)

First, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone at ADR who continuously serve students with compassion, empathy, and dignity. My experience working with ADR has been excellent because my learning advisor always supported and encouraged me to stay strong under unfavourable circumstances. By discussing my learning challenges with my advisor, I felt heard and through their insight, I could manage my stress and work towards graduation. I think having a learning advisor to guide and motivate someone can help achieve goals and build long-term earning strategies tailored to the student.

Also, by applying those strategies, it helped me learn effectively and create realistic goals. For example, this includes reading a page or so out of the textbook and reflecting on what I read, choosing the right study environment, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Although studying takes priority, I learned that balance is essential to health and well-being through activities such as exercise, meditation, and consistent sleep patterns.

Furthermore, ADR and my professors worked well together to address my learning barriers because I received my accommodation letter early and, therefore, emailed it to my professors, which eased the process. Also, a strength of ADR is communication because they ask that students sign up for exams one week before the exam date to give enough time for exam arrangements. My professors were happy to discuss the accommodation plan and to let them know if I had any other concerns during a semester. Thanks to ADR, I had the opportunity to write my exams in the exam centre, and this kept me focused and less stressed during exams.

My advice to new students would include trying out different learning strategies and seeing what works for you, have a balance, ask questions, and make the most out of your journey here at MacEwan University.

ADR Testimonial

By Madison Dyck

My name is Madison Dyck and I am a Bachelor of Arts student here at MacEwan University. I use the services provided by Access and Disability Resources (ADR) because I live with cerebral palsy. ADR has supported me in overcoming some of the barriers that I face academically because of my disability. ADR helps me to learn and grow in a way that is accessible to me in both a respectful and caring manner. I have worked with ADR for four years now and they are an integral part of my MacEwan community. The staff are really easy to approach.

My learning specialist helps advocate for my needs within the classroom environment, as well as outside class for things like setting up exam accommodations via the ADR exam centre. ADR has also helped me to manoeuvre obstacles that I could not have even imagined before they happened. For example, in an exam I booked one sitting with ADR and by the end of the exam I was very fatigued. I emailed my learning specialist and together we figured out a strategy to split my midterms into two sittings to help manage my fatigue.

They have also been very good at helping me to advocate for my needs with professors. Overall, my experience with ADR at MacEwan has been great. I can assure you, that if you have an issue with any aspect of your academics, ADR is there for you and will help in anyway they can.