Presentation Intro: There are many supports available to students with learning disabilities at the post-secondary level. This session aims to increase understanding and awareness of the support and services available to students with learning disabilities in the post-secondary environment. Participants will gain valuable information related to the appropriate steps students need to take to receive such support.
Presenter Bio: Deanna is a proud graduate from the University of Alberta where she earned a Bachelor of Education in Special Education and a Masters in Educational Psychology. She also holds a teacher leadership certificate from the University of Upper Iowa. Deanna works in post-secondary education in the fields of accessibility and educational psychology. She is a former K-12 educator, inclusive education coordinator and school leader. Deanna is the founder of MyLearningCoach Educational Solutions. MyLearningCoach is a collective of educational professionals who have come together to provide academic coaching services and assessment services that ensure Canadian post-secondary students have full access to their education. Using a collaborative coaching model, MyLearningCoach works with students to remove barriers to learning to ensure full access to an equitable education. Deanna draws on her lived experience to relate to students and has designed MyLearningCoach to support students who experience barriers to learning. Deanna has first-hand experience navigating post-secondary education as a student with learning disabilities and ADHD, which allows her to empathize with many of the challenges students face. She is a first generation university graduate and successfully navigated graduate school as a single parent while working full-time. Deanna’s life experience and career path have brought her full circle as she now finds herself advocating for the rights of post-secondary students. Deanna established MyLearningCoach after witnessing the barriers preventing students from accessing the necessary support. She is determined to create a service for students that gives them full access to a meaningful and equitable education.