Academic

Accessible Learning 

Accessible Learning is your central support for all academic accommodations. Whether you have a permanent or temporary disability, they can help level the playing field and empower you to reach your full academic potential. Once you have registered with Accessible Learning and have submitted your documentation, they will work with you to determine appropriate academic accommodations. Some options may include strategy support, note-taking and/or exam accommodations.

Interested in volunteering to support peers with disabilities? The ALC would love to have you as note-taker or tutor.

Library

The Laurier Library will likely play a huge role in your academics, so it's important to get familiar with all of their services.

The Library has services for students with disabilities including research help, book retrieval and delivery, digitization of print books and articles, and creating more accessible formats of Library materials. Students registered with the ALC can book individual study spaces for quiet study at the Waterloo Campus Library.

For details see the Library Accessibility Hub, or ask the Library Accessibility staff at libaccessibility@wlu.ca.

Experiential Learning and Career Development

Co-op

Want to gain real-world experience while you study? Co-op is a great way to diversify your learning! The Co-op Office has coordinators to help you explore organizations you're interested in working with and research employers who have specific recruiting initiatives targeted towards students with disabilities (such as banks and CPA firms). They can also help you identify your needs with employers to ensure you are fully supported and provided any required equipment during work terms.

Community and Workplace Partnerships

The Community and Workplace Partnerships office works to integrate your in-class learning with experiences outside the traditional classroom. They will work with you, as well as your professors and ALC consultants, to ensure you find a placement that meets your needs and figure out which accommodations will work best for you. They can also support you with self-identifying necessary accommodations to community or industry partners, and work with the partners to confirm they are able to address your requested accommodations.

Career Centre

The Career Centre is a great resource to take advantage of while you're still a student. They can support you while you think ahead about career decisions or when you're looking for experiences while you study or upon graduation, whether it's a job, volunteer work or other experiential learning opportunities.

The Career Centre has a dedicated career consultant who focuses on students with disabilities and works with the ALC to offer monthly drop-in sessions and other workshops. They can give you a lot of helpful information about your rights during an interview, disclosure options, accommodations and any other career questions you might have. They can also set you up with external resources on workplace accessibility.

• T: 519.884.0710 x4495
• E: careercentre@wlu.ca

Human Resources

Equity and Accessibility

The Equity and Accessibility department in Human Resources is committed to inclusion at Laurier. They  develop training and workshops related to accessibility, consult on AODA legislation and advocate for accessibility in policies.  

Contact them if you experience a barrier to inclusion or if you wish to provide feedback on accessibility at Laurier.

• T: 519.884.0710 x4469
• E: accessibility@wlu.ca

Employee Health and Well-Being

If you're a student employee not registered with the ALC, the Employee Health and Well-Being department can work with you to ensure you have all accommodations you need as a Laurier employee. They can also offer accommodations during your job interview.

Cindy Gruhl
Health and Abilities Consultant

• E: cgruhl@wlu.ca

Health and Wellness

Athletics

Athletics and recreation activities can be a great way to balance your academic life, get involved with your community and stay healthy – both physically and mentally. A few years ago, the Athletic Complex in Waterloo underwent substantial updates to ensure the facility is accessible. In 2018, the Brantford campus unveiled a brand new, fully accessible complex in partnership with the YMCA.

Staff are available to take you on guided tours and answer any questions you have about accessibility and accommodations they offer in the facilities and the various programs they run.

Sarah Broderick
Manager of Recreation and Wellness

• E: sbroderick@wlu.ca

Wellness Centre

The Wellness Centre provides counselling and health services by a multidisciplinary team to all Laurier students, covered through your OHIP and extended health plans.

They offer everything from individual and group counselling, to doctor's appointments, massage therapy and chiropractor's appointments – all conveniently located on campus in both Waterloo and Brantford. You can also get medical documentation from the practitioners at the centre, if they are your primary care physician.

They also have a ton of programming throughout the year with Wellness Education to help you take a proactive approach to your health. This includes free workshops, peer-led initiatives and yearly events like Thrive Week. Interested in getting involved? They hire peer wellness educators every March.

Delton Glebe Counselling

The Delton Glebe Centre is a valuable wellness resource for our community run by Martin Luther University College. The centre offers a unique multi-faith approach to counselling, taking into account a variety of spiritual or faith-based belief systems, to help you strengthen your emotional and spiritual well-being.

• T: 519.884.0710 x2874
• E: glebecentre@wlu.ca

Indigenous Student Centre

The Indigenous Student Centre strives to make sure their services and spaces are accessible for everyone and that the right conditions are in place for each person to achieve their full potential. They work to support students in navigating systems and resources both within the university and the broader community.

If you require an accommodation or would like to provide feedback about accessibility within the Indigenous Student Centre, supports and services or events, please contact your Indigenous Student Support Coordinator.

Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (formerly the Diversity and Equity Office), works to cultivate a culture on campus that respects and promotes equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice in all aspects of Laurier – from classrooms to residence communities. They offer support and community connections, educational programming and volunteer opportunities.

Community Services

There are many supports and services to assist persons with disabilities in the communities in which Laurier's campuses are located.

• Region of Waterloo
• City of Brantford
• City of Toronto