Glenn Crombie Centre marking 20 years of supporting Cambrian students

Some people think because they have alearning disabilityor a mental illness, thatpost-secondary education is out of the question for them.

However,for the past two decadesCambrian College has been helping students who need some kind of support. That happens through the Glenn Crombie Centre for Student Support, which is marking its20 year milestone.

Susan Alcorn MacKay is a former director of the centreand was there when it was first developed in 1996.

She says when they first started it was simply a few hundred students who were identified with various disabilities. She added that the amount of students needing help continued togrow yet thespace they had available on campus remained the same size.

"We went to the senior executive at Cambrian College andmadea pitch to have a littlemore space added, and the rest is history,"saysAlcornMacKay.

She says it was former Cambrian College President, the late Glenn Crombie, who offered to provide the team with what they needed to get the centre reallygoing.

Alcorn MacKay says assistivetechnology has become a big part of how they are able to helpstudents, as well asprovide the students withindependenceandeducationalneeds.

She says some students with mental illnessor learningdifficulties just needa place to talk to cousellors. Usually they are concernedabout school work expectations or they haveanxietiesorfears.

AlcornMacKay says the Glenn Crombie Centre also provides theneeded space for students who need extra time to take exams or tests.

The teamhelps about 900 students annually,who are diagnosed or undiagnosed with physical or mental concerns, as well as learning disabilities.

Alcorn MacKay is proud of the fact that more students are able to attend post secondary school and eventuallygraduate because of the help they'll be able to get at the Glenn Crombie Centre.

"Today's students with disabilities are graduating successfully in a greater number than their non-disabled peers, which is quite hopeful." saysAlcornMacKay.

The Glenn Crombie Centre is a 12,000 square foot multi-service complex that promotes accessibility and success for students within the Cambrian community. It is located on the school's Barrydowne campus in Sudbury.

Morning North7:36Glenn Crombie Centre - 20 years serving students with special needs

The Glenn Crombie Centre at Cambrian College provides post secondary education to students with a mental illness or learning disability. Markus Schwabe spoke with Susan Alcorn Mackay about the school's 20 year milestone.