One by One
Society for Students with a Disability, Recipient

Society for Students with a Disability

Victoria, British Columbia

Outreach items help students connect with support

Society for Students with a Disability (SSD) is a University of Victoria student advocacy group that promotes full participation and inclusion of students who self-identify as having one or more disabilities. The group strives to reduce barriers that can affect social, emotional and academic success.

SSD works one-on-one with students to help them navigate whatever challenges they face. That could include anything from facilitating learning accommodations to simply offering a safe, quiet place to study or relax. Hosting events and workshops is another way the group engages students and helps ensure they’re set up for success.

Bella Jacobs, office coordinator, said recent University of Victoria research shows over 40% of first-year students self-identify as having a disability—underscoring the need for services and support for the more than 21,000 students at the school.

Spreading awareness of resources

It can be challenging for student groups to get attention on a busy college campus. For SSD, getting the word out about its offerings is a priority. “The beginning of the school year is kind of wild,” Jacobs said. “It’s filled with events and everyone is trying to get students engaged.”

The SSD team attended welcome events and other fall gatherings to connect with students. Some can be reluctant to engage, Jacobs said, either because of stigmas or because they don’t think the services pertain to them. “Many students with disabilities may not know that dedicated resources exist or how to access them,” she said. “Early connection can make a significant difference in their academic success, well-being and sense of belonging on campus.”

Drawing students in with branded fidget toys

Sometimes students need something extra to grab their attention. That’s why SSD keeps promotional outreach items on hand. A one by one grant provided branded push pop cubes to draw people in and start conversations. “We thought something fun and fidgety would be a good idea—something students with disabilities might like,” Jacobs said. “The push pop cubes were an absolute hit.”

SSD team members handed out the branded fidget toys at several events. As awareness grew, students began visiting the SSD office just to ask for one. Those visits led to conversations about what else SSD has to offer beyond fun promotional items. “By using accessible, student-friendly outreach materials, we can better reach the large number of students with disabilities, helping them feel seen, supported and included from day one,” Jacobs said.

A note from Cheryl

SSD plays an important role in clearing a path to success for University of Victoria students. We were pleased to provide outreach items to help its team engage with students and inform them of the valuable resources available. If you’re interested in a one by one grant, visit onebyone.4imprint.ca.

For more information about Society for Students with a Disability, please visit https://uvicssd.ca/

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