Accessibility Supports

Community Supports

Michelle Mahoney, (she/her), Accessibility Officer

Michelle helps students navigate the King’s and Dalhousie’s shared Student Accessibility Centre. She also guides the implementation of King’s Accessibility Plan and works with faculty and staff to ensure that the university can offer an accessible campus by 2030. Michelle can be reached at michelle.mahoney@ukings.ca.

Isaac Wright (they/him), Student Support Advisor

Available to talk to students looking for support in resource navigation, life changes, mental health, goal setting or problem-solving. If you’re not sure where to go or what you need, Isaac can help you figure that out. Able to help students access services at Dal Health and Wellness or in the community.

Email isaac.wright@ukings.ca to make an appointment, or visit calendly.com/studentsupportadvisor.

Tim Clarke (he/him), Associate Director of Student Support (FYP)

Available to support Foundation Year Program (FYP) students with academic accommodations, assignment extensions, academic advising and referrals to both non-academic and academic supports. If students have not already developed an accessibility plan through the Dalhousie Accessibility Centre, they can meet with Tim to obtain interim assignment accommodations.

To make an appointment with Tim, email tim.clarke@ukings.ca.

Learning Supports for King’s students through Dalhousie Health & Wellness

Learning Disability/ ADHD Counselling

• Same Day Counselling occurs the same day you book. It is recommend to book as early in the day as possible in order to secure a spot (Monday–Friday 8 a.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.)
• For ongoing counselling, book a “Same Day Counselling” appointment and during the appointment tell them you would like to be placed on the list for ongoing counselling.
  • You can ask for ongoing counselling for anxiety, depression, other mental health diagnoses and/or ADHD/Learning Disability counselling.
• For new students it is easiest to call the first time you book an appointment at the Student Health and Wellness so that they can add necessary information to your file (address, email, emergency contact, etc) Contact: 902-494-2171
• For psychiatry – book a doctor’s appointment and ask for a referral to psychiatry.

Group Counselling:   https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/health-and-wellness/my-health/mental-health/group-counselling.html

Learning Strategist

Accessing a learning strategist through Dalhousie Health and Wellness. To book an appointment with a Learning Strategist, you need to first book a same-day counselling session. During this meeting, you will make the request.
Contact: 902-494-2172

Learning Disability Services

Learning Disability Services (Screening, Assessment, Learning Strategies) – Support for students who have or need to be assessed for a learning disability. Contact: 902-494-2172

Location: 1246 LeMarchant St., 2nd floor, Halifax
902.494.2171

Autism Resources

• Post Secondary Autism Support Program
• Dalhousie Workshops and Support Groups
• Embrace Autism Facebook support group
• Embrace Autism – assessments by an psychotherapist with lived and clinical experience diagnosing autism. Information on current costs and wait times is available by going to the lower right corner and clicking on the chat bot. Some of the costs of assessment would be covered under the Greenshield student insurance plan (80%, up to $1000 per academic year), or any plan that covers psychotherapy or naturopathic doctors. You would have to pay out of pocket and be reimbursed by the insurance company. They also have self-directed autism tests you can take by yourself.
• Autism Nova Scotia – Person Directed Planning – Anyone in Nova Scotia who identifies as having mental illness or living with a disability can self-refer to the PDPP for support in goal setting and resource navigation.
• Autism NS’s programs and services for adults programs
• Pinwheel Wellness Centre – Autism Nova Scotia opened Pinwheel Wellness Centre to support Autistic adults who are experiencing mild-to-moderate mental health needs. The centre helps unlock access to much needed mental health services and social coaching for Autistic adults. These necessary services will address the immediate needs of the autism community, and over time lead to systemic changes in community health.

Canada Student Loans

Students who have provincial student loans and a diagnosed mental illness (including anxiety, depression and other diagnoses) or disability (including ADHD or autism) are eligible for grants. Documentation from a psychologist, psychiatrist or medical doctor is necessary.

• To access this funding, go to your provincial student loan portal and look for an option to “Declare a disability.” Download the forms and bring them to your healthcare provider to complete, and then upload the forms for approval.
• You will be automatically given a grant each year you register for student loans. It varies each year but is typically $2,000.
• You can also apply for services and equipment funding:
  • Reimbursement for a psycho-educational assessment (including ADHD assessment) up to $3,500
  • Funding for a learning strategist, including some types of ADHD coaching
  • Funding for equipment once every four years, including:
    • $500 for noise-cancelling headphones
    • $2,000 for a laptop and printer
    • $200 for an apple pencil or smart pen

Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities

The Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities is available to students with disabilities for each year of study. You can apply at the same time as you apply for student aid with your province or territory.

Eligibility

You could be eligible for this grant if you:

• have a financial need.
• are a student in a qualified program at a designated school.
• are a student with a disability recognized by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program.
• provide with your application, a document(s) that shows that you have a disability.