Athabasca University has a long-standing tradition of encouraging individuals with disabilities to seek admission to courses and programs. In keeping with our mission statement, Athabasca University is committed to provide students who have sensory, learning, cognitive, physical, neurological, psychological, and temporary disabilities with reasonable accommodations and support services to attempt to facilitate complete access to University services and facilities and the successful completion of programs and courses. In assisting students with disabilities, the University's criteria for academic excellence will not be compromised.

For the purpose of defining the parameters of the population that this policy seeks to serve:

Students with disabilities refer to those individuals who are disadvantaged by reason of any verifiable and persistent physical, learning, cognitive, sensory, psychological, neurological, or temporary impairment that may affect their academic progress. (Modified from current definitions of the World Health Organization)

To achieve its goal of attracting and retaining qualified students with disabilities, Athabasca University will:

Although the primary responsibility for the provision of services rests with Access to Students with Disabilities (ASD), the provision of a supportive and responsive academic, social and physical environment is the responsibility of the entire University. Such commitment on behalf of the University, however, does not defer students with disabilities from being active participants in their ultimate success. Students with disabilities must take the initiative to inform the institution of their needs; pursue their studies with the same diligence required of all students; and accept responsibility for the role that they play in their success or failure. Within this context, ASD will necessarily assume responsibility to adjudicate the identified needs and concerns of individual students with disabilities to ensure an academic environment that is fair to all students and Athabasca University.

Students who request accommodations or services will be required to provide verification of their impairment from a medical, educational, psychological/psychiatric professional or other appropriate individual. AU’s responsibility to provide accommodation and support services will begin when a student has provided the ASD office with verification of the presence of a permanent or temporary disability or condition. Those individuals who identify themselves as having a learning disability or cognitive impairment due to an acquired or traumatic brain injury, or neurological disorder will be requested or required (in accordance with documentation requirements for Government assistance programs to fund support services) to provide or obtain a current (within government, sponsorship, educational or medical guidelines) neuro-psychological or learning disability assessment that is appropriate for the educational environment. Such documentation helps to ensure the appropriate delivery of accommodations and services necessary to facilitate an individual student’s success.

In consultation with appropriate University Programs and Services, Student Funding Programs, Community Agencies and contracted service providers, ASD will provide the following:

- information
- assessment of academic and technological accommodations and support requirements
- educational and career counselling as it pertains to disability
- referrals to additional services or agencies
- program planning as it pertains to disability
- time management assistance (respective to disability)
- monitoring of progress in course work
- registration assistance
- information and assistance with applications for funding
- assistance to obtain alternate format materials if materials cannot be produced on campus
- support service (tutoring, academic strategist, interpreting, aide, reader, scribe, etc.) 
  arrangements
- exam accommodations
- time extensions for courses
- advocacy
- liaison with departments and faculties
- available volunteer assistance including: note taking, exam writing assistance, mobility assistance, 
  taping of readings, library research help, study help, tutoring, special project help.
- assistance and consultation to University staff who have a disability

To ensure the resources are available to provide support services, ASD will establish a fee structure for specific services that either have to be contracted or demand extensive time from the staff of ASD. Such service fees are commonplace and are included in student funding or grant applications. Services will be extended in whole or in part, when financially feasible, to students with disabilities who do not have the economic resources or funding sponsorship.

If future evidence supports the need to modify or amplify the aforementioned services, such changes will be assessed and acted upon within the parameters posed by the University’s available resources.

Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (1995)
Alberta Human Rights, Citizenship, and Multiculturalism Act (1996)
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)
United Nations Standard Rules on Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (1993)