A University-Wide Approach to Inclusion: A Model Bridging Teaching, Learning and Accessibility

Presenters Brandy Usick Director Student Advocacy and Accessibility Carolyn Christie Coordinator Student Accessibility Services Acknowledgements: The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning

Session Objectives Context The “Cooper Commission” report Core components of the U of M process Activity Questions

The University of Manitoba Context

Student Accessibility Services Students registered, according to disability type

The Cooper Commission Recommend how to balance the University’s legal obligation to offer reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities while protecting academic standards Types of accommodations How decisions made, who must be consulted Evidence of disability Timely decisions Protect privacy

Cooper Commission Report Recommendations Education on responsibilities and procedures Revised policies Specialized decision making body, with increased faculty input Handbook Annual report to Senate Better documenting academic standards

Core Components

Changes in Policy

New Governing Documents The University of Manitoba Accessibility Policy Student Accessibility Procedures Student Accessibility Appeal Procedures

Changes in Articulating Academic Requirements

Essential Skills and Abilities For academic programs subject to external accreditation or approval: Document must be congruent with the requirements outlined by the respective registering college or approval body Senate approval required

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFARs) BFARs are important because they: Clearly define program expectations Ensure academic integrity of programs Increase transparency for students prior to beginning a program of study Ensure students have attained essential knowledge and skills upon graduation

BFAR Process BFARs are vetted by an interdisciplinary committee including representatives from: The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management Office of Fair Practices and Legal Affairs Student Advocacy and Accessibility Senate has the final approval of all BFAR statements.

Changes to Service Provision

Accommodation Teams Accessibility Advisory Committees Student RequestFaculty Policy & Procedure Non-Standard Accommodations Not Looking at Individual Cases Frequent MeetingsTwice Yearly Meetings

Changes to Daily Work

Procedural conversations Student Accessibility Procedure: The accommodation must be reasonable. The accommodation must not create undue hardship for the University. The accommodation must not compromise a defined Bona Fide Academic Requirement. cedure_-_2015_01_01.pdf

Education

Educational Activities Campus-wide education Promotion (Marketing and Communication office) BFAR interdisciplinary committee Faculty workshops & support Student Accessibility Services resources (e.g. faculty handbook, accessible documents etc.,)

Group Activity: Looking at the four components that have guided U of M in their work in implementing the Cooper Commission recommendations: 1.Discuss how this process may look/does look at your institution 2.Who should/is included in the process 3.What steps and strategies are/were needed