ACCESSIBILITY
SERVICES
We are committed to empowering every student
The Accessibility Services team is committed to supporting eligible students in navigating their disability-related health conditions, which may be permanent, persistent or prolonged, by assessing their functional limitations and barriers to academic success. Accessibility Services collaborates with faculty and staff to implement accessible solutions in a timely manner.
Accessibility Services supports UCW in meeting its legal duty to accommodate in accordance with the Accessible BC Act and the Human Rights Act. For more details, please review Policy 5051 – Academic Accommodation for Students with Accessibility Needs.
Services We Offer
Learn about our commitment to providing inclusive, equitable and accessible solutions for our diverse student population to thrive academically and socially.
Advising Support and Planning Access Needs
UCW students registered with Accessibility Services will work with one of our dedicated Accessibility Advisors for ongoing support and case management. An Accessibility Advisor will work with you throughout your program to assess your needs, support your access requirements and connect you with additional services and supports to enable your success.
Academic Accommodations
Accessibility Services supports students by creating individualized, academic accommodation plans, which meet the needs of registered students while preserving the academic standards and integrity of the University. This includes confidential Accommodation Letters. Accessibility Services collaborates with faculty and staff to implement accessible solutions in a timely manner, ensuring UCW in meeting its legal duty to accommodate in accordance with the Accessible BC Act and the Human Rights Act. Our team is here to assist you every term to ensure you have the right support in place.
Workshops and Events
Accessibility Services hosts various workshops and events throughout the term to provide valuable information and increase awareness of our services, reduce stigma and barriers related to students with access needs, promote inclusivity and accessible and equitable solutions, and ensure that students with accessibility-related needs have equal access to education and the tools they need to succeed in their journey at UCW.
Accessibility Ambassador Program (AAP)
The Accessibility Student Ambassador Program (AAP) is dedicated to supporting an inclusive learning environment at UCW by sharing accessibility-related knowledge and services through student-to-student interactions. The primary focus of this program is to raise awareness for the accessibility department and our services on campus. The program's core objective is to connect students with disabilities or persistent and prolonged health conditions with Accessibility Services. Ambassadors will play a vital role by engaging with students, faculty and staff on campus, as they provide a visible presence that helps to promote the availability and importance of accessibility services within the university community.
Registering with Accessibility Services
The Accessibility Services team will work with students one-on-one to address individual barriers to learning and access. This includes providing support to students with both visible and non-visible disabilities. While there is no deadline and students may register with Accessibility Services at any time, we recommend that students with access requirements initiate the registration process once they have accepted their offer of admission, or at their earliest convenience, to avoid delays. Registration with Accessibility Services is not noted on official transcripts or with the IRCC and students are not required to disclose the nature of their disability to any members of the UCW Community.
Students with a documented disability or persistent or prolonged condition who seek academic accommodation(s) must register with Accessibility Services.
Supporting Documentation and Information
Students may find relevant supporting documentation and information to support their access requirements and journey at UCW by reviewing the Accessibility Services Student Handbook and accessing the following document links.
Contact Us
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Accessibility Services:
Email: accessibility@ucanwest.ca
Office Hours: Appointment hours Monday-Thursday – 10 am to 3 pm
