Food 4 Thought: Disability and Self-Advocacy

A disability-centred session focused on building practical self-advocacy skills for students.

The session will explore how students with disability's can identify and communicate their needs, advocate for themselves, navigate barriers, and connect with community-based supports and resources.

About the facilitators and available support

Nanaimo Disability Resource Centre brings experience and skill in self-advocacy strategies within the community. Their guidance will focus on community-based advocacy and resources; they are not familiar with VIU’s specific policies and procedures.

If you’re seeking support with advocacy through VIU’s institutional pathways, VIUSU’s Student Advocate, Sarah Webber, is available for meetings. Sarah can help you understand university policies and procedures, prepare for meetings with faculty or staff, communicate concerns about barriers to access or accommodations, and navigate complaint or appeal processes. She will also soon announce two Zoom sessions focused on advocacy within VIU. To connect with Sarah, email Sarah.webber@viusu.ca.

What is Food 4 Thought?

Food 4 Thought is a free community meal and learning series built for students, by students (we get what university life actually costs — in time, money, and energy). Each session pairs a free, hot meal with practical tools to help you navigate the affordability crisis and stay on top of your academic journey, all while connecting with other students over shared food. No pressure, no judgment — just good food, useful info, and a chance to meet people who are figuring it out right alongside you.

Food menu TBD. Please include your dietary restrictions in your registration.