Issues for Students with Disabilities

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Academic Accommodation

Typical accommodations provided at the University of Victoria include the use of assistive technology such as reading software or recorders, extensions on assignments or alternate assignments, books and coursepacks in alternate formats such e-texts, large print or Braille, extended time for exams, use of computer or scribe for exams, open book exams, different location for writing exams, preferred seating. If the method of instruction, format of curriculum materials or textbooks, method of evaluation, location where exams are written, pace, nature of an assignment or arrangement of the classroom places a student at a disadvantage as a result of disability academic accommodation is required. Schools and post secondary educational institutions have a legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodation for disability to the point of undue hardship.

Accessibility

Accessibility in post secondary education begins with physical access to university buildings and includes access to all services, curriculum materials, instruction, social opportunities and extra-curricular activities. Recreation, sport, cultural events, and employment at the university should all be accessible to students with disabilities. The more accessible an environment becomes the less need there is to arrange for individual accommodations for disability. Accessibility is more cost effective and efficient than accommodation as well as more inclusive and fair for everyone.

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