Accommodations

Ensuring equal access to Deaf and hard of hearing students as well as academic success for students in post-secondary education is our priority. RRC Polytech offers ASL-English interpreters or computerized note takers to support students who are Deaf or have a hearing loss.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing services is responsible for the development and implementation of support services for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Academic advising, career exploration and referrals for personal counseling, tutoring, test accommodations are also provided.

Due to the high demand for services, it is strongly recommended that students book an appointment at least four months prior to the start of their study period to ensure accommodations are available.

American Sign Language (ASL) – English Interpreting

The role of the ASL – English interpreter is to facilitate communication from English to ASL and from ASL to English. To ensure equal access for Deaf and hard of hearing students, the ASL – English interpreter will provide interpretation in classroom lectures, tutorials, shop/labs, meetings, presentations, graduation, conferences, student conversations, small/large group interactions and RRC Polytech/Student Association functions.

Book an interpreter
Cancel an interpreter

Computerized Note Taking

The role of the computerized note taker is to facilitate communication for Deaf and hard of hearing students in the classroom. Everything that is heard is captured in real time using a laptop computer to ensure equal access for students. An edited copy of the notes will be provided. The computerized note taker will provide note taking services in classroom lectures, tutorials, shop/labs, meetings, presentations, graduation, conferences, student conversations, small/large group interactions and RRC Polytech/Students’ Association functions.

Book a note taker
Cancel a note taker

Adaptive equipment

• Assistive Listening Devices – Personal FM assistive listening devices

Captioning

• RRC Polytech faculty are encouraged to select videos that are closed captioned

Hall alert devices

• Washrooms and classrooms are wired with light flashers for fire alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing

Portable telephone amplifiers

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing services can provide amplifiers for student use while off site at coop or work placements

Amplified stethoscopes

• If you’re a medical professional with hearing loss, standard stethoscopes can’t always provide the amplification you need to do your job properly. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services can provide information on purchasing specialized stethoscopes.

Counselling

Counselling is available to help you deal with personal concerns that may be affecting your studies or personal well-being. We’ll work with you to explore what’s happening in your life and help you identify strategies to help. An ASL-English interpreter or computerized note taker will be provided.

Many students meet with a counsellor to discuss topics such as:

• Stress management
• Interpersonal relationships
• Communication skills
• Building self esteem
• Adjustment to college
• Developing assertiveness skills
• Anger management
• Relationship break up
• Dealing with depression
• Coping with grief and loss
• Managing anxiety
• Managing a crisis
• Family difficulties
• Questioning your sexuality

Community Crisis Resources

There may be times when a counsellor is not available to meet with you on the same day or you may experience a crisis after our regular hours.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis (ex. experiencing hallucinations or delusions; thoughts and plans of suicide; thoughts or plans to harm someone; recently experienced or witnessed a traumatic event; episodes of major depression) you can access:

Crisis Response Centre

No appointment necessary; walk-ins permitted. Open 24/7. Located at 817 Bannatyne

Mobile Crisis Service

Professional counselors will drive to meet with you in your home or an agreed upon location to offer on-site assistance, support, and appropriate referrals. Open 24/7.

Klinic Community Drop-in Program

No appointment necessary. Located at 545 Broadway Ave. Phone 204-784-4067 for hours and additional locations.

Klinic Crisis Line

Open 24/7. Professional counselors that provide phone counseling, assistance and referrals. 204-786-8686. Deaf/TTY Line 204-784-4097

MB Suicide Line

Open 24/7. Offers crisis counseling, support, information and referrals for people who are feeling suicidal; concerned friends and family; survivors of a suicide loss.

Children under the age of 18

If you are concerned about a child under the age of 18 being harmed, call Child and Family Services at 1-866-345-9241.

If the situation is an emergency, call your local police department.

Domestic Violence

If this is a crisis related to domestic violence, call the Osborne House crisis line and shelter for abused women at 204-942-3052 or the Domestic Violence Crisis Line at 1-877-977-0007.

Sexual Assault

If you have experienced sexual assault, call the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631 or Deaf/TTY Line 204-784-4097 and contact your local police department.

If you are unsure of the service to is best suited to assist you with the crisis:

Call Klinic Crisis Line – 204-786-8686

Klinic Community Drop-in Program – for in-person assistance. Call 204-784-4067 for hours and location.

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY – PHONE YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT OR 911.

Tutoring and Academic Support

Students are eligible to receive up to three hours per week (for a full time course load) with a staff tutor. Referrals will be made following a meeting with the coordinator of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services to determine need.

Test and Exam Accommodations

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students are eligible to received exam and test accommodations. The coordinator of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services will work with you to determine the best accommodation for your needs. Accommodations may include:

• ASL to English Interpreting
• Extended time
• Private or semi-private – reduced distraction or smaller writing environment.
• Alternate formats – large print, electronic for students with a hearing loss and low vision
• Use of a scribe – all or some of the student’s answers, given orally, will be scribed or input to a computer from ASL-English
• Test/exam date/time change – if multiple tests are scheduled the same day, a date/time change may be required, or a student may require a test/exam split into sections
• Physical accommodations – stretch, special seating, special lighting
• Editing – spelling, grammar, sentence mechanics, spell/grammar check if allowed by instructor