Some of us need additional support to succeed because of barriers beyond our control. UBC and external bodies offer resources to support students in their unique needs and empower them along the way.
CENTRE FOR ACCESSIBILITY
The Centre for Accessibility is the central hub for supporting students living with disabilities and medical conditions. The Centre supports a variety of student demographics, including those living with mental health conditions, neurological disabilities, sensory or physical disabilities and chronic illnesses. Episodic conditions like Crohn’s Disease and migraines are also supported by the Centre.
The Centre is governed by UBC’s Disabilities Accommodation Policy LR7, which describes student eligibility for disability accommodation.
Accommodations made by the Centre include priority access to housing, reduced full-time course load requirements, the accessibility shuttle, wayfinding and accessible parking.
Contact the Centre at info.accessibility@ubc.ca or 604.822.5844 for more information about these services that can best support you and your individual needs. The Centre will likely need documentation from you to determine accommodations, so it’s best to contact them as soon as possible, not just when a problem comes up.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Academic accommodations aim to alleviate barriers that students may face in navigating courses. These accommodations can include captioning and ASL interpretation, assistive technologies, alternative assignment instructions, note-taking and exam accommodations.
Students with chronic illnesses can also access academic accommodations. For example, students with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can receive concessions in the way of added bathroom breaks or additional exam time to account for symptom flares.
For exam support, students registered with the Centre must book their exams through the Exam Registration System well in advance. Make sure you are familiar with the exam accommodation guidelines and expectations, but try not to let it intimidate you! These services exist to help you find an environment where you can feel and perform your best.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Students can also turn to peer groups like Disabilities United Collective (DUC), a student-run resource group dedicated to supporting and empowering students living with disabilities. DUC offers a mentorship program, resources to help inform students about navigating assessment and diagnostic services and much more.
You can also seek support off campus. For example, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada hosts peer support groups and information workshops that are open to students. It also offers an annual scholarship program to financially support students living with IBD.
Though it might feel daunting to seek support, you deserve the access to a fulfilling university experience that accommodations can provide.