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Reflections from a Student
Article by Nicole Turner, Edited by Vicary Parkin
I am a fourth year undergraduate social work student who has been fortunate enough to
spend nearly 8 months completing my practicum with ATN. During my time here, I have had
the opportunity to learn a great amount of our people living with learning disabilities and
challenges, what helps them succeed, potential barriers they encounter regularly, and just
how complex these individuals' lives and experiences can be. As this is the final addition of
the LD Edge I will be contributing to, I thought it would be fitting to share my learnings with all
of you! Here are the top five take away messages I have gained from my time at ATN. Enjoy
and thank you for taking the time to read my articles over the past several months!
1. Determining Causes of Learning Challenges is Complicated
I have had the opportunity to shadow various education-related intakes and a few
prescreening assessments with people experiencing learning challenges, which
have led me to realize it is quite rare to have a black and white case. For example,
a person may indeed demonstrate indicators of a learning disability; however they
may also have experienced extended absences from school, troubling family
dynamics, and mental illness or developmental delays that contributed to his/her
challenges. Therefore, I have learned the importance of taking the time to listen to
and fully understand each person’s story and unique life circumstances before
trying to determine what would be most helpful for that individual. Furthermore, it
is also essential to work with other service providers who have various areas of
expertise in order to ensure individuals experiencing learning challenges receive
all the support they need to be able to fulfill their true potentials.
2. Assistive Technology, Along with Human Support, is Key
People with learning disabilities are not unable to learn, they just learn differently
(like everyone else in the world). As such, many of these individuals benefit from
the use of assistive technology. For instance, someone who finds reading
comprehension difficult may benefit from a text-to-speech reader through which
they may receive the information using auditory methods in addition to visual
means. As I have learned, this is one small example of how new technologies can
significantly improve the quality of life for people living with learning disabilities.
This being said, it is also crucial to have helpful humans who believe in the
individual's potential and are willing to advocate on their behalf, as many of these
people have encountered unsupportive teachers, employers, and family members
in the past. When these two ingredients are present, people experiencing learning
challenges and disabilities are better able to fulfill their dreams!
LD Edge Newsletter
Issue # 113 Print ISSN 1715-0485
Online ISSN 1715-0493
April 2016
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Reflections from a Student … con’t.
3. There is More to Learning Disabilities than Dyslexia and ADHD
It has been my experience that the general public understands learning disabilities as consisting of two
main possible conditions, dyslexia and ADHD. Though I knew it wasn't quite that simple before joining
ATN, I had no idea how many different possibilities exist when an individual is diagnosed with a
learning disability. Furthermore, each formal diagnosis affects each person uniquely and it cannot be
assumed what and the individual may need support with before having an open conversation. Similarly,
it is important for these people to have access to professional, formal, and accurate assessors who can
not only help the individual understand his/her situation and what may be helpful, but are also able to
provide the necessary documentation that allows people to access accommodations in school or the
workplace. This is likely to contribute greatly to the success of those living with learning disabilities and
should be viewed as a right.
4. Many Misconceptions Still Exist Regarding Learning Disabilities and Challenges
Unfortunately a large portion of our society still holds on to untimely beliefs regarding those with
disabilities in general that are highly inaccurate. This applies to those with formal and informal learning
challenges and disabilities. I have heard stories of people being accused of unintelligent and incapable
of completing postsecondary education or entering into certain careers. Fortunately, many of us
recognize how untrue such accusations and stereotypes are and are willing to advocate on their behalf
of those experiencing such discrimination. I have learned is that we how important advocacy services
that not only stand in solidarity with those living with learning challenges, but also teach them how to
advocate for their own needs and rights, are. I feel we are going to witness a significant increase of
such services and I am excited to see the change they will have on individual lives and society as a
whole!
5. With the Right Accommodations and Support, Anything Is Possible
I feel this notion is a given for most of the LD Edge's readership, but I feel it is important to remind
ourselves of it on an ongoing basis. If people with learning disabilities and challenges have
opportunities to interact with people who truly believe in their capabilities, are willing to take the time to
figure out what types of accommodations would be helpful and provide them, and engage in
conversations with others to help debunk misconceptions and stereotypes, then these individuals'
potentials will have no limits. The resiliency I have seen ATN clients demonstrate during the time here
has proven this fact and it inspired me to help create a world where there are less barriers they have to
navigate to achieve success!
ATN Access Inc.’s 18th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
On July 11, 2016, join ATN Access Inc. and Honorary Chair Brandon Prust at Forest City National for our 18th
Annual Charity Golf Tournament!
Fundraising events are an integral part of our ability to provide and expand programs to enhance the quality of life
of persons with disabilities through assistive technologies and specialized programs.
Each year we look to our local community to assist us in our endeavors, and our annual golf tournament is one
way you can get involved and show your support.
Visit http://golf.atn.on.ca/ for more information on how you can participate!
LD Edge Newsletter
Issue # 113 Print ISSN 1715-0485
Online ISSN 1715-0493
April 2016
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Inspirational Quotes – Issue # 57
Edited by: Vicary Parkin
Throughout history, society has been influenced and shaped by the many great contributions made by individuals
with learning disabilities. These people demonstrate the strength and perseverance to be true to themselves and
strive for their full potential. We hope their words inspire and motivate you to reach for your true potential.
“Having dyslexia has been a gift. It taught me about adversity at an early age.” – Daymond John (dyslexia), Founder
and CEO of FUBU clothing line
Daymond John showed a keen interest in being an entrepreneur from a young age. During school, he excelled in
science and math courses but struggled with anything that required reading and writing. Despite being diagnosed
with a general learning disability, his parents thought his difficulties were a result of a “bad attitude.” John developed
his own coping strategies, and enrolled in a business co-op program that offered a blended learning environment.
In 1992, he co-founded the clothing line FUBU. He utilized his visual strengths and was able to build the company
to a point where it was earning over $350 million in revenue at its peak. Since 2009, Daymond John has been one
of the cast members on the well-known TV-show Shark Tank. Through his role on the show, he utilizes his
expertise to invest in up and coming businesses.
Reference: Morin, A. Bio: Successful Entrepreneurs with Learning and Attention Issues (2016). Retrieved on April 1, 2016 from
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/personal-stories/famous-people/successful-entrepreneurs-with-learning-and-attention-issues
Community Apprenticeship Skills Support (CASS)
The Community Apprenticeship Skills Support (CASS) is recruiting individuals in London/Middlesex who identify as
living in poverty and want to pursue a career in the trades. Participants will be supported as they develop the
education and connections they need for a future as an apprentice.
Do have any clients receiving Ontario Works or ODSP and are interested in apprenticeship who:
 Have a disability and/or
 Are male, 29 or younger and not in education or training and/or
 Are immigrants who have been in Canada for 5years or more?
The CASS team is here to help guide participants to:
 Earn grade 12 or equivalency
 Work with an Employment Counsellor
 Get extra disability support and accommodation if needed
 Connect with an employer
 Begin an apprenticeship
Project Partners include:
 ATN Access Inc.
 Employment Sector Council London-Middlesex (ESCLM)
 Literacy Link South Central (LLSC)

Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board (EMOWPDB)
If you know of anyone who might be a good fit for this project, contact Literacy Link South Central at 519-681-7307
or [email protected]
LD Edge Newsletter
Issue # 113 Print ISSN 1715-0485
Online ISSN 1715-0493
April 2016
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Contact Us:
Volunteer Opportunities
Are you interested in helping to make a
difference in someone’s life? Do you have
talents and skills that you would be willing to
share? If so, being an ATN volunteer may be
just for you!
ATN is looking for individuals that are willing
to volunteer a few hours a week to help
make a difference in someone’s life.
Opportunities exist in our academic
upgrading lab, assistive technology lab,
employment services, class room assistance
and drop-in computer lab.
For more information and to get
involved, please call us at
LD Edge Newsletter
c/o ATN Access Inc.
504-141 Dundas Street
London, ON Canada N6A 1G3
If you have any information, articles or
submissions to share with us, please contact
us at anytime.
Phone: 519-433-7950 ext 372
Fax:
519-433-0282
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.atn.on.ca
We hope you have enjoyed this month’s issue
of the LD Edge Newsletter and that you are
looking forward to the next issue.
519 - 433-7950 ext. 372.
or visit our website at www.atn.on.ca
For an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of this
document click on the link “LD Edge Newsletter”
at: www.atn.on.ca
If we give them an edge…
They may give us one!
LD Edge Newsletter
Issue # 113 Print ISSN 1715-0485
Online ISSN 1715-0493
April 2016
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