Learners with Disabilities
Introduction
Bow Valley College is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free learning environment in which all students, including students with disabilities, have equal access to education and where all students feel included and valued.
Counselling and Specialized Support (CSS) offers services for students with disabilities. For a student to access disability services the student will be required to provide documentation of a disability by a qualified professional. If you think you have a disability but do not have any documentation, you may still want to contact CSS for an initial screening. CSS may then recommend further assessment, or provide suggestions to help you with your learning. We may also recommend that you follow up with one of our counsellors.
A Doctor's note may not be sufficient for you to be eligible for supports and accommodations. Your documentation must have a specific diagnosis of a disability, medical condition, or disorder AND specific recommendations to reduce the barriers caused by your disability. The specific accommodation(s) requested must have a clear and direct link between the disability and the requested accommodation(s).
CSS offers a wide variety of supports to students with diagnosed disabilities, including:
- Learning disabilities
- Speech and language disabilities
- Blindness/visually impaired
- Deafness/hard of hearing
- Hearing impaired
- Mobility impaired
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
- Neurological issues
- Chronic health issues including chronic pain
- Mental health issues
- Short term and temporary disabilities
Some of the services available to eligible students may include:
- Counselling and assistance for students struggling in class or in the program
- Assistance with study skills and learning strategies
- Academic and exam accommodations
- Assistive Technology services and support
- Sign language interpreting for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students
- Education supports - Learning Strategist, Academic Aide, Tutor, Note Takers
This list is not exhaustive and students are encouraged to visit the CSS office if they require any assistance as a result of their disability and learning, personal, school, or career challenges. Please contact CSS as soon as you are accepted or at least four months before you are scheduled to start classes at Bow Valley College.
Students with disabilities are also encouraged to access the additional services offered on the Specialized Support webpage that are available for all students.
