Accessibility advocate propelled by bravery, empowered through connectivity
Nada Abdelghaffar, Accessibility Representative for TRUSU Equity, is excited to contribute to meaningful changes from another vantage point.
Accessibility Services: Education Within Reach
Current Students
Equitable access to education for TRU students
Our services are student driven and students must book an appointment with an Accessibility Services Advisor to get started.
Contact
- Location: OM 1631
- Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Phone: 250-828-5023
- Email: Please contact studentservices@tru.ca to book an appointment, and as@tru.ca with any questions regarding accommodations.
What we do
We provide academic accommodation and services to all eligible TRU students, both on campus and Open Learning.
Academic accommodation and services are tailored to a student's needs based on documentation provided by a qualified health care professional, and the functional impact of the disability or health condition.
Examples of services and accommodations:
- Extra time and/or a distracted-reduced environment for tests and exams
- Alternative and accessible formats for text material
- Peer notetaking
- Access to assistive technology and assistive technology specialist
- Access to a learning specialist
- Assistance with applying for disability related financial aid
Who we support
Students who have disabilities or health conditions such as:
- Chronic health
- Blind or low vision
- Physical disabilities
- Neurological disabilities
- Mental health disabilities
- Deaf or hard of hearing
- Learning disabilities
- ADHD
Persons requiring assistance program
This optional program ensures that in an emergency, anyone — employees, students, visitors, and contractors — can safely evacuate with confidence by creating and regularly reviewing a personal evacuation plan.
Learn MoreFrequently asked questions
What does Accessibility Services (AS) do?
- As an institution TRU has a responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities in accordance with the Human Rights Code (BC).
- Our primary role is to review documentation, determine academic accommodations and facilitate the provision of those accommodations. We also develop and provide awareness events and educational sessions.
What is a disability?
According to the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills, a disability is defined as a "permanent disability." Which means: "a functional limitation caused by a physical or mental impairment that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to participate in studies at a post-secondary school level or labour force and is expected to remain with the person for the person's expected life." However, we do provide accommodations to those students who experience longer term but likely temporary disabling issues: i.e. recovery from an injury or surgery.
What is an accommodation?
- An accommodation involves the removal of barriers (physical or instructional).
- An accommodation may involve an adaptation or alteration to the physical and/or instructional environment.
- An accommodation may include alternate formats and methods of communication, the use of adaptive technology and/or adaptations to the examination environment.
Are there limitations to accommodations?
Yes, there are.
- The University has an obligation to make the necessary efforts to reasonably accommodate a student with a disability but, at times, due to the nature and degree of the disability, no reasonable accommodation would enable a student to fulfill the essential requirements and therefore they cannot be accommodated.
- Accommodations are designed to level the playing field so a student can meet the essential requirements and succeed on their own merits. Accommodations do not guarantee success.
Can I still be considered for Dean's List if my disability prevents me from completing a full course load?
- If a disability prevents you from completing 80% of a full course load, you are still eligible for Dean’s List on the condition that you complete at least 60% of a full course load. Please contact your Accessibility Services Advisor at as@tru.ca if you are interested in learning more about this process.
- For more information on Dean’s List eligibility, please refer to TRU’s Policy on Academic Recognition (PDF) which can be found on the Index of All Policies Webpage.
How do I use the online student portal?
- Please watch our video tutorials. You can contact as@tru.ca if you have any technical difficulties using the student services portal.
Accessibility News
Mentee to mentor: ESTR alum excels in inclusive pilot project
Student Akemy Earl pursues her dream in a pilot project between TRU's Education and Skills Training program (ESTR) and Culinary Arts.
Trailblazer and changemaker unlocks voice, becomes poet
TRU student Luke Verhoeff is part of a rotating cast of 47 autistic adults in the upcoming CBC series The Assembly.
