Winter 2022 Updates for Accessible Learning
Accessible Learning Centre (ALC) staff extends a warm welcome to all new and returning students with disabilities. We look forward to supporting you in your studies as we return to campus.
- In-person learning
- New applications
- Exam accommodations
- Note taking
- Tutoring
- Learning strategies
- Bursaries
- Other resources
Contact the ALC using one of the email addresses on the left for support or questions about registering.
In-Person Learning
We know some students have questions about returning to in-person learning. Below are responses to some frequently-asked questions you may find helpful.
The University is committed to supporting full engagement and participation in the learning environment for students with disabilities.
The ALC supports student to access and engage with their courses in the same way their peers do. If students are enrolled in course requiring in-person attendance, the ALC will tailor accommodations to support in-person attendance.
The ALC generally does not grant exemptions from having to attend in-person courses or parts of courses that require in-person learning as an academic accommodation. However, we recognize that in rare cases, a student’s health may be severely compromised preventing them from leaving their home. In these cases, and where it is verified and documented by a qualified health care practitioner, the ALC will work with students and instructors to explore all options to facilitate their access and learning. This includes alternatives to in-person learning.
We encourage all students studying at Laurier with a serious health condition to contact the ALC for support and advice.
The ALC recognizes that health conditions which compromise the immune system may hamper a student’s ability to attend some in-person courses. Examples include:
- Transplant recipient (including sold organ transplant and hematopoietic stem cell transplants)
- Receiving stable, active treatment (chemotherapy, target therapies, immunotherapy for a malignant haematological disorder or solid tumour)
- Receiving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Stage 3 or advanced untreated HIV infection and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
- Undergoing active treatment with the following immunosuppressive therapies: anti-B cell therapies (monoclonal antibodies targeting CD19, CD20, and CD22)
- Taking high-dose systemic corticosteroids
- Taking alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumour-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors
- Taking other biological agents that are significantly immunosuppressive or are taking specific immunosuppressant medications
- Receiving dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis)
Ontario Health encourages everyone who is immunocompromised to get a third or forth COVID vaccine booster.
Instructors who grant accommodations to students outside of those approved by the ALC are responsible for all arrangements related to those accommodations. This responsibility includes:
- Instructional accommodations like note taking, remote access set up (e.g., Zoom, TEAMS, etc.)
- Exam accommodations, like writing exams online or remotely
The ALC supports students to access and engage with their courses in the same way their peers do. If students are expected to attend in-person courses, we tailor accommodations to support in-person attendance.
Students with severe health conditions that prevent them from leaving their home that have been verified by a qualified health care practitioner should be directed to contact the ALC for support.
Instructors who approve accommodations for students outside of those approved by the ALC are responsible for all arrangements related to those accommodations.
If a student discloses to their instructor they have a disability, or if they think a student might be coping wth a disability, instructors should connect the student with the ALC for support.
Students who have COVID-like symptoms or recently tested positive for COVID should follow the University’s Protocols for students with COVID-19 symptoms.
Students experiencing ongoing or longer term symptoms of COVID, sometimes called “long COVID”, are encouraged to contact the ALC for support. Students will be asked to submit documentation completed by their health care practitioner detailing how their illness impacts their functioning at school.
New Applications
The ALC welcomes new students with disabilities to Laurier! Registration with the ALC is an easy 3-step process:
- Complete our "self-identification" form.
- Submit your disability documentation.
- Meet with an ALC Accommodation Consultant
Visit our Registration page for instructions and more information.
Exam Accommodations
Are you already registered with the ALC and have exam accommodations? Follow these instructions to access your exam accommodations:
A-activate your exam accommodations in AL Online for each course that you need your exam accommodations.
B-book your in-person exams and online exams for which you need virtual proctoring. Do this before the published deadline.
C-confirm your exam location and check that your accommodations are correct, including your extra time.
Helpful links:
Assistive Technology for ANY Online Quiz/Test/Midterm or Final Exam
Students who want to access their accommodations to use an assistive technology exam accommodation (for example: Kurzweil, Dragon, ZoomText, or any other reading/dictation software) for online timed assessments (quizzes, tests, midterms or finals) are required to book their assessment in Accessible Learning Online prior to the booking deadlines. Visit our website to find more information about using assistive technology during online exams.
Note taking
Note taking as an accommodation helps students to access oral information presented in class. The note taking accommodation supplements information that students obtain themselves through their own note taking efforts and is not intended to replace their attendance and engagement in class – whether in person or online.
Students approved for note taking as an accommodation must specify courses for which they want note taking in Accessible Learning Online.
Note: Notetaking support is not provided in courses where students have unlimited access to course or lecture content (e.g., pre-recorded lectures, or presentations with audio).
Tutoring
Until physical distancing restrictions are fully lifted, the ALC encourages students who use tutoring support to connect with tutors online using Zoom, TEAMS or other virtual meeting applications (e.g., Skype or Google Hangouts).
Is your tutoring support covered by bursary funding? Be sure to verify your time log receipts using DocuSign.
Learning Strategies
Email Accessible learning using one of the emails to the left, or your Learning Strategist directly, to book a Learning Strategist appointment
Bursary
Students who receive government or university bursary funding are responsible for submitting appropriate receipts and repayment by the end of the term. Students are encouraged to utilize electronic signatures for receipts. Please speak with your ALC consultant about any questions you have related to bursary funds.