Disabled Students' University Of Manitoba Experience

how disabled students fare in university of manitoba

The University of Manitoba is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive community for students, faculty, and staff, and a welcoming environment for visitors to its campuses. The University provides support for students with disabilities through its Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and offers assistive technologies and other resources for students, instructors, faculty, and staff. The SAS provides support for a wide range of disabilities, including visual, hearing, learning, mental health, medical, physical, injury-related, or temporary disabilities. The University of Winnipeg, in association with the University of Manitoba, also offers an interdisciplinary Disability Studies program that focuses on the critical analysis of disability in society. This program examines disability as a social, cultural, historical, and political construction.

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Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

The University of Manitoba is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive community for all students, and fostering an inclusive learning and working environment. The Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is a crucial part of this, providing support for students with disabilities and helping them achieve academic success.

Registration and Intake

Students must first register with SAS and can then book an intake appointment. Students are advised to contact SAS as soon as possible to begin the process, as it can take at least a month to implement new student appointments and organise academic accommodations. Students must collect the necessary documentation, including a Disability Assessment Form and a Confidentiality and Exchange of Information Consent Form.

Accessibility Coordinator

After registration, an Accessibility Coordinator is assigned to each student to help arrange their accommodations. The Coordinator will discuss what accommodations will be provided, when, how, and by whom. They will also explain how the student's information is protected.

Activating Accommodations

Once registration is complete, students must return a signed Confidentiality and Exchange of Information form, and they can then activate their accommodations. A letter of accommodation is sent to the instructor, containing only the student's name, student number, and a list of accommodations.

Further Support

SAS also provides follow-up support if a student's circumstances change, or if their required accommodations are not implemented effectively. SAS will advocate on the student's behalf and help connect them with other resources.

Assistive Technology

SAS provides access to assistive technologies, such as text-to-speech programs, computer voice-control software, and screen readers.

Transportation

SAS also organises an accessible van transportation service between facilities at the Fort Garry campus.

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Funding opportunities for disabled students

The University of Manitoba is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive community for all students, fostering future academic success and offering a range of funding opportunities for students with disabilities.

Funding Opportunities

Students with disabilities at the University of Manitoba can access funding through provincial and national student aid programs, as well as through UM Financial Aid and Awards. The Canada Student Grant (CSG) Programs, for example, are available to students with permanent, prolonged or persistent disabilities. The CSG has two parts: the CSG-PD, which can be used to cover tuition and other expenses, and the CSG-DSE, which provides funding for specific services and equipment.

Students can also apply for scholarships and bursaries through UM Financial Aid and Awards, with over $3.5 million in entrance scholarships and awards available to new students each year. The Arun Sud Memorial Scholarship is another option, awarded to a student registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) based on academic achievement and extra-curricular participation.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

The University of Manitoba's Student Accessibility Services (SAS) provides support for students with disabilities, offering assistive technologies and other resources to foster academic success. SAS assists students in arranging academic accommodations, which can include extended time for tests/exams, note sharing, and braille or large-print textbooks.

Assistive Technology

The University of Manitoba also provides access to assistive technologies through SAS. This includes text-to-speech programs, computer voice-control software, screen readers for low or no vision, and screen magnification programs.

Transportation Services

Additionally, the University operates an accessible van to transport people with disabilities between facilities at the Fort Garry campus, free of charge.

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Assistive technology

The University of Manitoba provides assistive technology to support students with disabilities. The assistive technology is provided through the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) program, which fosters future academic success for students with disabilities. The SAS team includes an Assistive Technologist who provides training and guidance to help students select the right technology solution.

The following are some of the technologies supported by the University of Manitoba:

  • Kurzweil 3000: A text-to-speech program that uses ocular tracking to highlight each word as it is read. This program is available free of charge to students registered with SAS.
  • Dragon (PC): A computer voice-control program that allows users to complete keyboard and mouse tasks using voice commands.
  • JAWS and NVDA: Screen readers for students with low or no vision, allowing them to navigate their computers using only the keyboard.
  • Zoomtext Magnifier: A screen magnification program, generally used by individuals with low vision.

In addition to these technologies, the University of Manitoba also provides other resources and accommodations for students with disabilities. These include accessible transportation services, American Sign Language interpreters, accessible building entrances and tunnels, and accessible and inclusive washrooms. The university is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive community for all students and strives to identify, prevent, and remove barriers to accessibility.

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Transportation services

The University of Manitoba is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive community for all students, faculty, and staff. The university offers a range of transportation services for students with disabilities to help them get around the Fort Garry campus.

The university operates an accessible van to transport students and staff with disabilities between facilities at the Fort Garry campus. This service is free and organised through the Student Accessibility Services (SAS). The SAS provides support for students with disabilities and fosters future academic success.

To use the transportation service, students must contact the SAS to make arrangements. The SAS can also provide other resources and assistive technologies to students, instructors, faculty, and staff.

The university also offers accessible building entrances, tunnels, and library facilities on the Fort Garry campus. Additionally, there are accessible, universal-design toilet rooms and gender-inclusive washrooms located across the university's campuses to ensure an inclusive and safe environment for all.

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Support for academic success

The University of Manitoba is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive community for all students, offering support for academic success through its Student Accessibility Services (SAS). This service provides support for students with disabilities, including visual, hearing, learning, mental health, medical, physical, injury-related, or temporary issues, to foster future academic success.

Students must first collect the required documentation, including a Disability Assessment Form filled out by a registered health professional and a Student Accessibility Services Confidentiality and Exchange of Information Consent Form. Students with learning disabilities are also required to provide a copy of their most recent psycho-educational assessment. If students are unable to fill out the form, they can instead submit medical documentation to SAS, including a clinical diagnosis, the name of the diagnosing person and their credentials, the date of testing, how their condition affects them daily, and recommended accommodations.

Once the documentation is collected, students can book an intake appointment by filling out an online form, or by phone, email, or in person. After registration, students will be assigned an Accessibility Coordinator to help arrange accommodations. The coordinator will discuss the accommodations to be provided, when and how they will be provided, and who is responsible for providing them.

The Exam Centre is equipped with assistive technologies, ergonomic seating, incandescent lighting, and other assistive devices. Tests, exams, or quizzes must be booked at least two weeks in advance. The SAS also offers a volunteer note-taking program, anonymously connecting students with classmates who share their notes.

Students requiring assistive technologies have access to support through SAS, including a text-to-speech program (Kurzweil 3000) and a computer voice-control program (Dragon). For students with low or no vision, screen readers (JAWS and NVDA) and a screen magnification program (Zoomtext Magnifier) are available.

SAS also coordinates American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters on campus for lectures, meetings, or other events. A SAS coordinator is available weekly at the Bannatyne Campus, and students can connect with SAS staff regularly over the phone or via virtual options.

Frequently asked questions

The University of Manitoba provides support for students with disabilities through its Student Accessibility Services (SAS). SAS offers assistive technologies and other resources to students, instructors, faculty, and staff. They also provide confidential support for students with visible, invisible, temporary, or permanent disabilities.

To register for disability support, students need to book an intake appointment with SAS and provide relevant documentation, including a Disability Assessment Form filled out by a registered health professional. After registration, students will be assigned an Accessibility Coordinator to help arrange accommodations.

The University of Manitoba provides various accommodations, including extended time for tests/exams, note-sharing, braille or large-print textbooks, assistive technologies, and American Sign Language interpreters. They also offer an accessible van transportation service between facilities at the Fort Garry campus.

The University of Manitoba strives to create an accessible and inclusive community for all. They conduct accessibility audits, provide accessible building entrances and tunnels, and offer accessible and inclusive washrooms across their campuses. The university also offers training for employees on accessible customer service, employment, and information and communication.

Yes, the University of Manitoba offers funding opportunities for students with disabilities through provincial and national student aid programs, as well as through their own Financial Aid and Awards office. Students can explore options such as the Canada Student Grant for Persons with Disabilities and bursaries based on financial need.

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