Fall 2021 Updates for Accessible Learning

March 18, 2020
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Accessible Learning Centre staff welcomes new and returning students with disabilities to Laurier! ALC staff look forward to returning to campus in September. Meanwhile, we will continue meeting with students virtually as long as physical distancing requirements remain in effect.

If you have questions about registering, or want to book an appointment, please contact the ALC using one of the email addresses on the left.

New Applications

The ALC welcomes new students with disabilities to Laurier! Registration with the ALC is an easy 3-step process:

  1. Complete our "self-identification" form
  2. Submit your disability documentation
  3. Meet with an ALC Accommodation Consultant

To begin your registration and for more information, please visit our Registration page for instructions.

Returning Students

Make sure you activate your accommodations for the 2021-2022 academic year! Visit our Activate Accommodations page for more information.

Appointments

ALC staff are available to meet with you virtually while physical distancing restrictions remain in effect. We can also answer many of your questions by email. Use one of the email addresses indicated to the left to request an appointment or email your ALC consultant directly with your questions.

Exam Accommodations 

In-person courses: To access exam accommodations, first activate your accommodations in Accessible Learning Online. Timed assessments (quizzes, tests, midterms, and finals) that will be held in-person must be booked in Accessible Learning Online by our booking deadlines. Timed assessments that will be completed through an online platform do not need to be booked with Accessible Learning unless access to assistive technology is required (e.g., Kurzweil/reading software, Dragon/dictation software). If you require assistive technology for your exam, be sure to follow the exam procedures, adhering to the established deadlines. For online exams, instructors are responsible for adding extra time for students who have activated their exam accommodations.

Remote courses: To access exam accommodations, activate your accommodations in Accessible Learning Online. Timed assessments (quizzes, test, midterms, and finals) do not need to be booked with Accessible Learning unless access to assistive technology is required (e.g., Kurzweil/reading software, Dragon/dictation software). If you require assistive technology for your exam, be sure to follow the exam procedures, adhering to the established deadlines. Instructors are responsible for adding extra time for students who have activated their exam accommodations. 

Online courses: To access exam accommodations, activate your accommodations in Accessible Learning Online. For online courses (with the section OC1, OC2, OC3), exams do not need to be booked with Accessible Learning unless access to assistive technology is required (e.g., Kurzweil/reading software, Dragon/dictation software). If you require assistive technology for your exam, be sure to follow the exam procedures, adhering to the established deadlines. Instructors are responsible for adding extra time for students who have activated their exam accommodations.

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 time 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 support as an accommodation is available for eligible students taking in-person courses or remote courses that include a real-time lecture component.  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

The ALC encourages students accessing tutoring support to connect with tutors online using Zoom, TEAMS or other virtual meeting applications (e.g., Skype or Google Hangouts).  
Students whose tutoring support is covered by approved bursary funding must verify time log receipts using DocuSign.

Learning Strategies

Appointments with our Learning Strategists are currently available virtually and will be offered in-person as campus access and status allow. Please contact Accessible Learning using one of the emails to the left, or your Learning Strategist directly for more information or to book an appointment.  

Bursary

Students who received 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.

Classes and Coursework

Be sure to contact your ALC consultant with any questions about how your accommodations will apply in your courses once you have your course syllabi and information from your instructors about the course delivery, exams, and other assessments.  

Other campus resources/supports/information