Purpose To provide faculty and staff with practical strategies for improving the student experience of learners with visual impairments by identifying and removing barriers to education. Participants will explore how accessibility is a shared institutional responsibility and learn how inclusive practices contribute to student engagement, belonging, retention, and academic success.
Rationale Every student deserves equitable access to learning opportunities. As the college welcomes an increasingly diverse student population, faculty and staff are more frequently supporting students with visual impairments. While accommodations play an important role, the overall student experience is shaped by the accessibility of our courses, services, learning environments, and institutional processes. This workshop will encourage participants to view accessibility through the lens of the student journey—from admission through graduation—and provide practical strategies that help create an environment where students can participate, learn, and demonstrate their knowledge with dignity and independence.
Learning Outcomes By the end of the session, participants will be able to: • Recognize common barriers experienced by students with visual impairments throughout the student journey. • Understand how accessible practices contribute to student engagement, belonging, and retention. • Identify the shared responsibilities of faculty, staff, and institutional services in supporting learner success. • Apply practical strategies to improve accessibility in teaching, assessments, communication, and student services. • Reflect on opportunities within their own roles to proactively remove barriers to education
Session Description Mentorship is not reserved for formal leadership roles, it is a powerful tool that can be used by anyone to support learning, growth, and professional development. Whether developing future leaders, supporting colleagues, guiding students, or sharing knowledge with peers, effective mentorship creates stronger relationships, greater confidence, and a culture of continuous learning. This interactive session explores the foundations of transformational mentoring, emphasizing psychological safety, trust, accountability, and intentional growth. Participants will learn how to create environments where individuals feel safe to ask questions, take risks, learn from mistakes, and embrace vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness. Drawing on Brené Brown's BRAVING framework, attendees will explore practical strategies for building trust through boundaries, reliability, accountability, integrity, and generosity. The session also introduces the GROW Model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) as a simple yet effective framework for mentoring conversations. Participants will learn how to use curiosity-driven questions, active listening, and structured goal setting to help others move from aspirations to meaningful action. Through discussion, reflection, and practical examples, attendees will leave with tools they can immediately apply to foster growth, develop talent, and strengthen their communities.
Learning Outcomes By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Create an authentic mentorship relationship by creating safe environments for growth
Utilize the BRAVING framework and clear mentoring boundaries to develop authentic, trust-based relationships that support long-term professional development
Apply the GROW Model to structure mentoring and coaching conversations that promote growth, accountability, and meaningful action.
Be empowered to create growth within the community of MaKami and beyond
Maxine Deys, RMT, as the Lead Instructor and Assistant Manager at MaKami College Edmonton, I am dedicated to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment. With a passion for education and mentorship, I thrive on helping students and coworkers acquire new skills and advance... Read More →
