Policies and Procedures
The Learning Disabilities Program (LDP) is an educational support program within the Counselling and Development Centre (CDC) of York University. Participation in the LDP is on a voluntary basis and clients are free to withdraw from the program at any time. The information below provides details regarding policies and procedures of the LDP. Please read it carefully and sign it as an acknowledgement that you have done so. If you have any questions or concerns after reading this document, please discuss them with your LDP advisor at any time.
Service Mandate
The LDP provides direct services to students with diagnosed learning disabilities or attention deficit disorder registered at York University and provides consultation to the university community on related matters. The LDP affirms its commitment to human rights, and in particular to the principle that every member of the York community has a right to equitable treatment without harassment or discrimination on the grounds prohibited by the Ontario Human Rights Code, including race, ancestry, place of origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.
Privacy of Information
Our clients’ personal information is collected, used and disclosed by the LDP and held in utmost confidence, as set out in the attached CDC Privacy Policy (and available at: www.yorku.ca/cdc/privacy).
Flow of Information
Client records are maintained in locked file cabinets in the LDP office. Unless specifically denied by the client, staff members in the LDP have access to the information contained in all client files. In addition, in the case of students who enroll in a specially-designed degree credit course AS/LLS 1000 6.0 (Language and Learning Skills Seminar), the teaching staff of this course will have access to relevant educational information contained in the files to assist in lesson-planning. Occasionally, consultation may be necessary between LDP staff and counsellors or consultants from the CDC and relevant information may be shared. All staff members with access to LDP client files are required to maintain strict levels of confidentiality and to refer only to information relevant to the services they are providing.
The LDP has access to the York University Student Information System, including student grade records. In an attempt to monitor the progress of students registered in the LDP, we periodically track the academic performance of all students registered in the program. Also, the LDP may contact student clients at some future date to determine career or other follow-up data. Your signature on this form indicates that you agree to allow the LDP to access your student academic record and to contact you in the future for follow-up purposes.
Appointments
The LDP tries to meet the needs of all clients. As the school year progresses, there is an increasing demand for our service. In order to maximize your time and ours, and in an effort to accommodate as many students as possible, we respectfully request that you keep your appointments when meeting with counsellors or tutors. In the event that you are unable to attend, please try to notify us at least 24 hours in advance.
Accommodated Alternate Tests and Exams
Alternate tests and exams are arranged on-line through the Registrar’s Office. Students must read and sign an alternate test and exam agreement form in order to have access to this service. It is the responsibility of students in the LDP to be aware of the procedures for arranging and writing accommodated tests and exams as outlined in the brochure entitled “Alternate Exams and Tests” (and available at: www.yorku.ca/altexams).
Counselling
The extent to which students in the LDP become involved in a personal counselling process varies and is solely dependent on the individual needs of each client.
Counselling is typically a "conversation" of a particular sort, in which the client and counsellor work together to achieve the client’s goals regarding possible means of change or improvement. The client's task is to talk about whatever is of greatest concern; the more open and honest one can be, the faster the work may progress. The counsellor's task is to listen carefully, look for patterns in one's thinking, feeling and behaviour, point out alternative interpretations of events, ask questions to stimulate thinking, and facilitate the formulation of strategies for solving problems. It is not usually appropriate for the counsellor to offer opinions, give direct advice, or tell you what to do in a certain situation. Counselling helps you to come to your own well-considered decisions about courses of action.
While counselling is meant to be a helpful experience, this cannot be guaranteed, with regard to either the process involved or the eventual outcome. It is not uncommon for clients to experience an increase in symptoms or emotional discomfort prior to any potential improvement. In the process of examining one area of concern, other issues may be identified which appear to add to the client's difficulties. It is possible that interpersonal relationships may be adversely affected in the course of counselling, as the client begins to understand a situation from a new perspective. However, the potential benefits of counselling include: changes in problematic behaviour; the removal or reduction of symptoms; improvements in self-esteem and overall mood; problem resolution: improvements in one’s ability to perform academically; or positive change in interpersonal relationships, depending on the nature of the difficulties addressed.
Questions or Comments
Should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions regarding the information provided above or any other aspects of the LDP, feel free to discuss them with your LDP Advisor. You may also ask to meet with the Director of the LDP at any time.
Please sign below to affirm that you have read and received a copy of these Policies and Procedures and the CDC Privacy Policy.
Signature: ____________________________________
Date: ________________________________________
Counselling and Development Centre (CDC)
Tel: 416-736-5297
Location: N110 Bennett Centre for Student Services
