Accommodating Students with Disabilities - Roles and Responsibilities
Responsibility of the Students who have Disabilities
Responsibility of AccessAbility Services
University Commitment
The University will make every attempt to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations to persons who have disabilities. Faculty and Staff carries a responsibility for creating and maintaining an inclusive environment in their teaching and work setting and responding appropriately to requests for accommodation of a disability.
Responsibility of the Students who have Disabilities
Students who have disabilities and who wish to be accommodated in their academic programmes and related activities at the University have the responsibility to present requests for accommodations in a timely manner which will facilitate the implementation of supports and services. Students are encouraged to discuss their needs as early as possible with AccessAbility Services. Students must present appropriate and up-to-date documentation of their disability when it is requested. Students are also encouraged to speak to their Instructors about their needs and to work out a plan for accommodations. Faculty should play a proactive role in this process, working as a team with the student and staff of AccessAbility Services.
Responsibility of AccessAbility Services
Staff in AccessAbility Services is available to provide services directly to students who have disabilities and to support and advise staff of the University in providing appropriate accommodation. AccessAbility Services will encourage students to communicate with their department and discuss their needs with appropriate staff. AccessAbility Services will act as a resource centre for the University on disability issues, will assess documentation, recommend appropriate accommodations, and provide ongoing consultation and support.
Process to receive accommodations through AccessAbility Services:
- The student self-identifies disability and needs.
- The student provides updated documentation by qualified professional outlining accommodations required.
- AccessAbility Services determines the reasonableness of accommodations required. The reasonableness of an accommodation is based on guidelines set out by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. At no time should academic accommodation compromise the essential elements of a course or programme. When determining essential competencies of a course/programme AccessAbility Services plays a collaborative role with faculty in determining if an accommodation compromises the course/programme. If a student wishes to appeal decisions where an accommodation is refused, the appeal will be submitted to the Academic Appeals Committee of the Governing Council.
- AccessAbility Services provides the student with a Letter of Introduction to be given to the Instructor. The letter outlines the accommodations and requests that the Instructor implement the accommodations. Should Instructors have any questions about accommodations they can contact the Manager of AccessAbility Services.