Disabilities Liasion Unit

How is a disability verified?

The Academic Advising/Disabilities Unit (A.A.D.L.U.) is under the auspices of the Deputy Principal with the responsibility for obtaining written documentation in order to verify the existence of a disability.  Verification includes a diagnosis, description of the functional limitation that may affect academic performance, rating of severity and recommendation for reasonable accommodation. 

Documentation used to verify a disability should contain the printed and signed name of a Physician, Psychologist, Rehabilitation Counsellor or other authority qualified to assess a disability and who is not related to the student.  The A.A.D.L.U. may request additional documentation and all documents will be regarded with the strictest confidentiality.

 

What are functional limitations?

A disability must limit functioning in school before one can receive an accommodation.  The effect of a disability on program access is referred to as functional limitation.  A physical or mental condition, in and of itself does not necessarily require accommodation unless there is a logical link between the functional limitation, stemming from the disability and the accommodation requested.

AADLU will first identify the functional limitation (s) through discussion with the student and review the documentation.  The student is then given information about the accommodation (s) that suits him/her and the student chooses the accommodation (s) that address his/her functional limitation (s) in the most suitable way (s).

 

What is a reasonable accommodation?

Reasonable accommodations are changes in the learning environment that permit students with disabilities to compete at the University.  The accommodations can sometimes modify non-essential elements of the university programmes.  AADLU will work with student to determine the appropriate accommodation and develop a learning contract.

Based on a person’s needs, accommodation may include;

Readers, note-takers, interpreters,, qualified lab assistants

Introduction to faculty regarding classroom and academic accommodations including testing alternatives and taping lectures

Individual and group counseling support

Referral and liaison to Governmental rehabilitation agencies

Special exam arrangements (i.e. extended time for exams, separate testing rooms, amanuensis)

Alternative print format (Braille)

Course relocation to physically accessible classrooms