One year later, a $250,000 CIBC gift to support students with disabilities is having an impact

For someone with a disability, pursuing a postsecondary education presents its own unique set of challenges.

Life is likely already more expensive due to the additional needs they may face, such as medical treatments, prescriptions, accessibility aids or attendant care. And the idea of getting a job to support your schooling can be anxiety-inducing for someone who may need extra time to get around, let alone to focus on their studies.

"Finding academic success and taking advantage of higher education means setting aside the time to attend both in class and then focus on learning and organizing your time outside of class," says Michael Khan, who is a first-year student in the general business program. "Given the additional challenges I face, this would not be possible if I had to split my time, energy and focus."

To help students navigate these challenges, a year ago, Sheridan welcomed a $250,000 gift from CIBC to support students with disabilities. Khan is a testament to the impact the investment has had across the Sheridan community. The gift has provided bursaries to help remove financial barriers and allow students to achieve their dream of obtaining a postsecondary education.

"This kind of funding (from CIBC) allows us to get the education we will need to be successful in life."

– Michael Khan (Business, 1^st year)

Sheridan students with disabilities, such as Khan, were directly supported with 33 bursaries in 2023–24, each valued between $1,000 and $2,500, thanks to CIBC.

"Once I have taken the time I need to immerse myself in my education, I learn well and can take the information and skills developed and apply them," Khan says. "The support from CIBC and others helps to make this possible and allows me to be successful."

The CIBC Bursary for Students with Disabilities is available to all full-time and part-time students registered with Sheridan’s Accessible Learning and enrolled in select programs within the Pilon School of Business and the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology.

"Getting a higher education opens up possibilities for life that are key to levelling the playing field for people with disabilities," says Khan. "This kind of funding (from CIBC) allows us to get the education we will need to be successful in life."

“At CIBC, we continue to create an inclusive culture, and accessibility plays a large role in this,” says Ronan Ryan, Executive Director of the CIBC Foundation. “We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their ambitions and we’re proud to work with partners such as Sheridan College on solutions that remove barriers to opportunity. By opening up access to advanced education, these bursaries will help the next generation of changemakers and leaders achieve their academic dreams and career goals.”

The number of students registered with Sheridan's Accessible Learning increased by 8% in the 2023–24 academic year, compared to the year before. It marked a 13.4% increase over the 2021–22 academic year. Statistically, 33% of students identify with more than one disability.

“I felt relieved, happy and allowed myself to get excited at the prospect of having the time that money buys to allow me to truly engage in my studies,” Khan says, when asked what the CIBC bursary meant to him. “Funding like this is a game changer.”

Khan recommends students with disabilities register with Accessible Learning, whose mandate is to enable equal access to education for students with disabilities. "It feels like a nice, safe place where you can get your issues resolved," he says. "It definitely gives me a sense of community.”

Dr. Janice Fennell, Sheridan’s Director of Accessible Learning and Inclusion, says the CIBC Bursary for Students with Disabilities is vital in helping provide a pathway for those pursuing a postsecondary education.

“At Sheridan, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their ambitions,” says Dr. Fennell. “This bursary helps remove a barrier between students with disabilities and their academic dreams.”

To learn more about how you can support Sheridan students, visit us at sheridancollege.ca/support.

Pictured above – from left to right: Mustafa Abdullah, award recipient; Janice Fennell, Sheridan Director, Accessible Learning & Inclusion; Jacinda Frazer, Sheridan Accessible Learning Advisor, Student Affairs; Nicole Kelly, Manager, Community Relationships, CIBC; Ronan Ryan, Executive Director of the CIBC Foundation; Michael Khan, award recipient; and Maher Khairallah, award recipient, appear at an event at Hazel McCallion Campus in November, 2024.