AC01: Students With Disabilities

Policy #:: AC01
Responsible Authority:: Director, Student Support Services
Approval Authority:: President's Executive Committee
Executive Sponsor:: Vice President, Student Services
Approval Date:: 2001/07/09
Last Reviewed:: 2010/12/22
Mandatory Revision Date:: 2015/12/22
Downloadable Version:: Students With Disabilities

PURPOSE

To provide students with disabilities equal opportunity and access to successfully complete a program of study.

SCOPE

This policy applies to students with disabilities who self-disclose and register with the Centre for Students with Disabilities (CSD).

DEFINITIONS

Word/Term	Definition
CSD	Centre for Students with Disabilities.
Disability	As defined by the Human Rights Code, a condition that requires accommodations to compensate or minimize the effects of a disability. See Appendix 1 for definitions of specific disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations	Accommodations which do not impose undue hardship on the College in the form of significant changes to the fundamental nature of the learning outcomes and/or academic standards of a program.
Academic accommodations	Educational practices, systems and support services designed to accommodate functional challenges due to a disability.
Self-identification	Students identify their disability or disabilities to CSD staff. Self-identification is confidential and the release of personal information is subject to Section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

POLICY

1. College Access

1.1. Students with disabilities must have equal access to all College programs and services. There must not be a limit placed on the proportion or number of students with disabilities admitted to College programs and/or courses, unless undue hardship to the College can be demonstrated as required by the Ontario Human Rights Commission Guidelines for Assessing Accommodation Requirements for Persons with Disabilities (2000).

1.2. Students with disabilities must meet program eligibility criteria and applicant selection criteria relevant to the program. They have the opportunity to be provided with reasonable accommodation in the admission and selection process.

1.3. In the admission and selection process, no greater onus of proof with respect to capability should be required from a student with a disability than is required of other students.

1.4. Assessment of students with disabilities for admissibility is to be based on present functional ability and cannot be influenced by expected future deterioration.

1.5. Students with disabilities are to be provided assistance and accommodations on an individual basis.

1.6. Students with disabilities who use a support person may bring that person with them to the College and to the classroom as described in the accommodation plan.

1.7. Students with disabilities may be accompanied by their guide dog or service animal while at the College, except where excluded by law. Where a service animal is excluded by law, other measures are to be determined to assist the student.

1.8. Once accepted to a program, students with disabilities are deemed to be capable of fulfilling the essential requirements of the program, if provided with reasonable accommodations and services.

2. Access to Information

2.1. Information regarding the availability of services for students with disabilities is to be included in all major College publications such as calendars, student handbooks, recruitment materials, websites, newsletters, and course outlines. All publications are to identify where students with disabilities can obtain accessibility information. This information is to be provided in an accessible format upon request.

2.2. The Registrar’s Office is to provide information on the services available to students with disabilities in the College Offer of Admission package.

2.3 All College policies will respect the dignity of persons with disabilities, encourage the principles of universal access design, and take into consideration the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005).

3. Centre for Students with Disabilities (CSD)

3.1. The CSD is responsible for delivering services to students with disabilities in order to provide them with the same opportunity to access a program, and demonstrate their abilities in meeting the program requirements and specific learning outcomes.

3.2. The CSD is responsible for the provision of services for students with disabilities and fulfils the obligations as described in the legislative initiatives to provide “fair and equal access”. The purpose of these services is two-fold:
a) to provide supports that improve the educational development of students with disabilities;
b) to eliminate barriers to accessibility, both physical and academic, through consultation and professional development activities for professors and staff.

3.3. The CSD, with the support of the Centre for Organizational Learning, is responsible for providing professional development opportunities for College staff regarding the needs of students with disabilities.

4. Academic Accommodation

Academic accommodation refers to educational practices, systems, and support services designed to accommodate functional challenges due to a disability. The purpose of the accommodation is to enable students to meet the essential requirements of their academic program. At no time does accommodation undermine or compromise the learning outcomes of a course or program. The principles of respect for dignity, individualization, inclusion and full participation apply both to the substance of an accommodation and to the accommodation process.

4.1. Reasonable academic accommodations are provided to students with disabilities in order to ensure equal opportunity and freedom from discrimination.

4.2. Academic accommodations may include adaptations in the way specific courses are delivered, as well as the use of assistive devices and support services. Assistive devices and services are determined by a CSD Counsellor and the student who will use them.

4.3. In exceptional circumstances, with the approval of the program or course Chair, modifications or substitutions of courses may be made, as long as the program learning outcomes are met.

4.4 In the event of a disagreement between the professor(s) and the CSD Counsellor regarding the recommended accommodations, those accommodations are to be provided until the disagreement is resolved.

PROCEDURE

	Action	Responsibility
1.	Admission of Students with Disabilities
1.1	Request accommodation for admissions testing from the CSD as needed and provide the necessary documentation to support the request.	Students with disabilities
2.	Supports to Students with Disabilities
2.1	Self-identify as early as possible prior to the start of the semester, and submit to the CSD documentation from a professional that verifies the diagnosis of a disability.	Students with disabilities
2.2	Assist students in accessing documentation or facilitate a referral to obtain the documentation, if no professional documentation is available. The cost of the service referral is the responsibility of the student.	CSD Counsellor
2.3	Develop an Individual Student Plan (ISP) indicating the accommodations needed by the student and provide copies for the student.	CSD Counsellor
2.4	At the beginning of each semester, share with professors the ISP and discuss the accommodations that are required.	Students with disabilities
2.5	Implement the accommodation plans of students with disabilities, with support from CSD staff.	Professors
2.6	Raise any disagreement regarding the recommended accommodations with the program Chair and the Manager of the Centre for Students with Disabilities for resolution.	Professor(s), CSD Counsellor
2.7	Request a formal review using the Academic Appeal process (AA 19 Academic Appeal), if the student disagrees with the proposed academic accommodations.	Students with disabilities
2.8	If accommodations to take a test or exam are needed, a. remind professors at least one week before the test, ensuring that they have signed the Test Form. b. book test date and time with CSD Test Centre at least one week in advance. c. accommodations for Final Assessment Week are to be booked at least two weeks before the start of that week.	Students with disabilities
3.	Information Provision by Centre for Students with Disabilities
3.1	Inform the College Community regarding the needs and legal rights of students with disabilities.	CSD staff
3.2	Produce statistical reports derived from the CSD database when requested, for information and planning.	CSD staff
3.3	Provide a feedback process for students with disabilities who wish to address concerns about the goods or services they received.	CSD staff
3.4	Where possible, provide advance notice to all CSD students and the College community when CSD facilities or services are temporarily disrupted.	CSD staff