Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Certificate
In this one- to four-year certificate program, students with cognitive disabilities will be supported by the ASE department to identify and access an individualized selection of OC courses or an individualized program based on their interests and goals. Students will be admitted to the OC courses/program upon acceptance by the receiving departments and instructors and will be expected to participate to the best of their ability. Students will also participate in the IPSE Inclusion Support course.
An Inclusion Facilitator will support students to set and review academic and social goals, clarify assignment modifications, and identify goals for participation in student life activities. Facilitators will not provide direct instruction. Facilitators will work with the student to connect with a peer support partner and will help them plan and organize study time and assignment completion. Students will be supported to plan and conduct a job search and will be referred to appropriate employment agencies for summer employment and upon graduation. Students will graduate with an Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Certificate.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet the general ASE Admission requirements.
Students will be accepted into the IPSE program on recommendation of the ASE department provided that:
- They have successfully completed at least one ASE or AACP course.
- They are motivated to participate in this program.
- They have a commitment to learning.
- The receiving instructors are willing to participate.
- Participation does not present a safety hazard.
- The number of students per receiving program is limited to a maximum of one.
- Resources are sufficient to provide the support services required.
Students must participate in a planning interview with the ASE Instructor and Inclusion Facilitator seven months prior to program start (e.g. February of the year preceding a September entry.)
A student who is non-verbal or multi-disabled and requires special accommodations can only be accepted into the program when those specific accommodation needs have been addressed and met. The student may be required to attend with a qualified support person who will be required to participate in a learning contract.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of one course per semester for the length of their program. Students must also complete one section of IPSE Inclusion Support for each semester they attend.
To be successful, IPSE students must demonstrate successful student values, attitudes and behaviours by:
- Attending classes and scheduled meeting regularly,
- Participating in class activities to the best of their ability, and
- Completing assigned work to the best of their ability.
Successful students will graduate with an Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Certificate. Students will be provided with an OC transcript of courses taken and recommendations from instructors where earned.
Program Outline
Individualization means that each IPSE program will be different depending on the strengths, needs, and goals of the student. At a minimum, a student could take one course per semester plus the Inclusion Support course. The maximum would be a full course load plus the Inclusion Support course. Programs will generally be either one or two years to reflect the normal length of an OC program. Some students may choose OC degree options and in that case four years would be normal. Courses may be repeated if desired by the student and recommended by the instructor to reinforce and consolidate learning. The selected academic options will be complemented by individually chosen Student Life Options: clubs, study partner, learning centre, lunch in cafeteria, student society, fitness, library, social activities, work placement on campus, etc.
One Year Program
Minimum Requirements: One OC course plus one section of Inclusion Support per semester
Maximum Possible: Acceptance into a one-year program and participation in some or all of the program requirements plus one section of Inclusion Support per semester or up to five individually chosen courses per semester plus one section of Inclusion Support per semester.
One course per semester may be an ASE course.
Required ASE course:
Two Year Program
Minimum Requirements: One OC course plus one section of Inclusion Support per semester.
Maximum Possible: Acceptance into a two-year program and participation in some or all of the program requirements plus one section of Inclusion Support per semester or up to five individually chosen courses per semester plus one section of Inclusion Support per semester.
One course per semester may be an ASE course.
Required ASE course: