Authors: Ainsley Wood and Maggie Manning
Attending a university or college program as a student with a disability can be quite daunting. However, with the proper support and accommodations in place, you can remove some of the accessibility barriers that exist and ensure you have access to all that post-secondary has to offer, whether that be academic or extracurricular. It is important to note that in Canada, post-secondary institutions have a legal responsibility to promote equity on campus by providing support and accommodations for students living with a disability. These accommodations look different for everyone, which is why it is essential that you work closely with your chosen institution to best prepare yourself for your studies.
How to access accommodations
All postsecondary institutions have some sort of accessibility/disability resource centre. However, the name of each institution’s office will vary. The staff at these offices can help you discover what supports are available and ensure that you always have access to the necessary accommodation in classes, during exams and on campus. Additionally, they can help you communicate with professors and advocate for the proper implementation of support. These advisors are the best people to consult if you are having an issue with the support and accommodations you require to succeed.
It is each student’s responsibility to connect with their chosen institution’s accessibility office. This can be done by looking on the school’s website to find their accessibility office’s contact information, completing an intake form and setting up a meeting. Meetings can be done in many ways, offering communication options such as video call, phone call or in-person visits. Students must also upload documentation from a physician, psychologist or another relevant medical professional who can speak to your need for resources and accommodations. It can take several weeks to secure accommodations; therefore, it is best to reach out as soon as possible and, in most cases, it is best to do so even before your academic year starts.
Who has access to accommodations? Support is available for students with all types of disabilities, whether they be chronic or temporary. No matter the nature of your disability, it is the student's responsibility to self-identify with the post-secondary institution so that proper support can be discussed. So long as the medical documentation provided by a qualified healthcare professional indicates the need for accommodations given the student’s disability, resources are available for all types of disabilities.
These could include, but are not limited to:
- Physical disabilities
- Mobility issues
- Hearing impairments
- Visual impairments
- Anxiety or mental health disorders
- Learning disabilities
- Chronic Illness
Academic and classroom support
The aim of classroom, exam and coursework accommodations in post-secondary programs is to ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to access the curriculum and showcase their understanding of course content. It is a large misconception to believe that students with individual education plans receive easier coursework compared to their peers. It is only the methods in which students access the material that is different. They are equally responsible for demonstrating full knowledge and understanding of course material.
Accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
- Accessible technology (dictation software, laptop etc.)
- Note takers
- Flexible due dates
- Sign language interpreter
- Alternative formatting (braille, digital etc.)
- Exam accommodations (private room, flexible time, digital formatting)
- Preferential timetable choices
- Access to an accessible technology lab
Independent living
Everyone deserves the opportunity to live in a safe and comfortable space as they pursue a post-secondary education. Thus, most institutions offer priority accessible housing to students with disabilities. It is important to note that when applying for this type of living, the existence of a disability alone is not enough to qualify for priority accessible housing. To be considered, students must provide medical documentation with information detailing how the disability/medical condition creates significant barriers in relation to housing and day-to-day living. In most cases, to get priority housing you must apply to live on campus like every other student, then submit a separate request through the accessibility resource office at your chosen institution. All these preparations may take several months, that is why it is best to start connecting with your chosen institution before your first academic year starts. It is also important to note that not all colleges and universities offer accessible housing, or there are very few units available. Therefore, looking into the options that different institutions have available is essential before choosing an institution for your studies.
If the proper forms and documentation are in place, service dogs and emotional support animals are allowed on university campuses and in dorm rooms. It is important to check with each institution’s policy to go over their guidelines and fill out the necessary paperwork.
In addition, most university campuses have extensive public transit routes, which many students rely on for transportation. When choosing an institution, it is important to make sure that the bus routes around your prospective schools are accessible. You can do this by going onto the website of your province or territory’s public transit service provider to determine routes with accessible buses. There is also transportation designed specifically for people with mobility issues, such as HandyDART in British Columbia. Each province has an equivalent.
For further information on accessible services on campus, contact your institution’s disability resource centre. They will help you discover where accessible entrances/exits are, where accessible parking is and where the best accessible options are located.
The accessible resource centre at your chosen institution can help recommend specific support for your needs as well as implement these accommodations. Being prepared is the most important thing when attending post-secondary with a disability. Meeting with your post-secondary school’s accessibility office prior to starting your studies will help set you up for success. Remember, access to accommodations and resources when attending post-secondary is your right and it is your post-secondary institution’s duty to accommodate.