Students with Disabilities
The university community shares in the responsibility for providing instructional and learning related accommodation for students with disabilities. The University of Lethbridge has outlined guidelines for students with disabilities.
If you have been diagnosed with a disability, there is no need to face the challenge of university without support. Please contact the Disabilities Resource Centre.
If you have a visible or non-visible disability you may qualify for support.
Support for Students | Scholarships
Role of the Student | Role of the Disabilities Resource Centre and Support Staff | How to Access Accommodations
Eligibility for Accommodations | Registration Accommodation | Registration Priority | Assistive/Adaptive Technology
Frequently Asked Questions | Web Links | Campus Map | Contacts
Support for Students with Disabilities
Students who have disabilities and who wish to arrange accommodation for these disabilities are encouraged to document their situation, and the recommended accommodations, with the Disabilities Resource Centre. Frequently a student has unique needs, and our response to those needs must be made on an individual basis. Dealing with these concerns may require the student to make contact with provincial and non-profit agencies, as well as with University of Lethbridge personnel.
In Alberta, extensive disability-related support for university attendance is accessed through Alberta Human Resources and Employment. Students should contact the agency in their region. Less extensive support is available through the Student Finance Board. The forms needed to apply for this assistance are included in the student loan application package (schedule 4). These packages are available through the Scholarships and Student Finance Office (SU065, ph. 403-329-2585). Grant funding for special assistance or special adaptive technology requires a documented professional diagnosis of the disability, comparative price quotes for any equipment and a letter from the Disabilities Resource Centre. Students can make an appointment with the Disabilities Resource Centre by calling 403-329-2766.
The Disabilities Resource Centre can support student requests for special registration, classroom accommodations, and exam accommodations once the student is accepted and documentation of the disability and the recommended accommodations are on file. The Disabilities Resource Centre may also be able to guide students to local services. While the University of Lethbridge does have some assistive and adaptive technology available, specialized equipment or services usually must be funded through outside agencies. Problems of physical access may be brought to the attention of the Disabilities Resource Centre, which can direct concerns to the appropriate university personnel.
The University of Lethbridge offers a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, which serve to recognize the achievements of students who are pursuing their university education at the UofL. These awards for students are granted based on academic proficiency and other criteria such as financial need, leadership potential, community involvement, and artistic ability.
The university offers awards that are designated specifically for students with particular disabilities. The awards for students with disabilities range in value from $300 to $1000. For more information on the availability of awards, please contact:
Scholarships and Student Finance
University of Lethbridge
4401 University Drive W
Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4
Telephone: 403-329-2585
Fax: 403-382-7110
Website: http://www.uleth.ca/ross/student_finance
Email: fin.aid@uleth.ca
- The student must provide appropriate documentation to the Disabilities Resource Centre within a reasonable length of time.
- The student must participate in the process of determining and implementing reasonable accommodations.
- The student must inform the Disabilities Resource Centre when accommodations are not working or need to be modified. As well, students should inform the Disabilities Resource Centre of changes to their condition.
The Disabilities Resource Centre and support staff will:
- maintain medical/psychological documentation in a confidential manner
- determine if conditions are a disability in accordance with provincial and federal laws/protocol
- clarify requests for accommodations and services
- assist with application for funding for services and assistive technology
- facilitate the provision of reasonable accommodations
- provide information and referral to campus and community resources to resolve disability-related issues
- assist students with learning strategies
- assess appropriate assistive technology for individuals and provide training
Eligibility for Accommodations
Contact the Disabilities Resource Centre to set up a meeting.
It takes time to arrange for some accommodations and services and to obtain the appropriate funding. If you require materials in alternate format, assistive/adaptive technology and/or service providers such as tutors, educational assistants, note takers, and sign language interpreters, it is critical that you make an appointment with the Disabilities Resource Centre at least 4 months prior to the first semester you are attending at the UofL.
Students who have difficulty registering online may register in person at the Information Centre, Registrar’s Office and Student Services (SU140).
First-time students register for classes in the order that they have been admitted. Registration priority for continuing students is assigned according to the Student's academic year. Within the academic year, registration priority is normally established according to the number of courses that a student has successfully completed. Students who have verified their disability with the Disabilities Resource Centre may ask to register with the first group within their academic year. This accommodation is provided so that students with a disability may establish an academic timetable that facilitates their success. For example, a student with a mobility disability should avoid back-to-back classes at opposite ends of the campus. It is usually desirable for students with learning disabilities to avoid back-to-back classes altogether.
The Adaptive Technology Suite, which is located in the library, is available for students who have a verified disability.
Students who would like an orientation to this suite or specific training for programs can contact the Disabilities Resource Centre (B760; phone: 403-329-2766; or email: leslie.macdonald@uleth.ca).