At MRU, we want you to succeed, and we are here to support that journey. Please review the information as well as the links provided to help you understand your role and the changes in a university environment.
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Next Steps for Access and Inclusion
Next Steps for Access and Inclusion
To get any type of accommodation at MRU, please fill out a Public Accommodation Request. This should be done in the early summer, so the Access Advisor can meet with you and determine what accommodation or support you need.
Residence
Residence
There were some questions about Residence, and it is important to know that they also have reasonable accommodations for students living with disabilities. You can contact the residence team here.
Academic Advising
Academic Advising
Students asked about advising, course load and registration. The best option is to talk to your Academic Advisor directly. This is different from your Access Advisor, we have lots of advising support here :) Once you are registered with Access and Inclusion, your course load may be different as part of your accommodations, so it is important that you have the right information from your Academic Advisor as well as your Access Advisor.
Questions About Accessibility and Inclusion Services
Questions About Accessibility and Inclusion Services
During the workshop, students asked many thoughtful and informative questions. These questions along with their corresponding answers are outlined below.
Where are the Access and Inclusion offices?
Where are the Access and Inclusion offices?
The offices are located in room Y201, which is close to the West Gate entrance. The Exam Centre is also at this location. You can find a map of the university here.
Does a student need to be accepted and committed to apply for accommodation?
Does a student need to be accepted and committed to apply for accommodation?
No, you don’t need to be accepted or committed to MRU to start the Access and Inclusion Services application. Any student who may attend MRU can apply. It is also recommended to apply as soon as possible due to the high volume of applications that are received and ensure that you will have your accommodations in place for Fall 2024.
Do you support documentation from a family practitioner for a learning disability or psychiatric disorder, or is it required that you speak to a specialist specifically?
Do you support documentation from a family practitioner for a learning disability or psychiatric disorder, or is it required that you speak to a specialist specifically?
Family practitioners can diagnose ADHD and other mental illnesses, but they are not equipped to diagnose a learning disability (such as for reading, writing, or math).
If you have an ongoing disability that you were accommodated for in your previous schooling, it will not be automatically forwarded to Access and Inclusion Services. You are required to send us your Learning Support Plan (LSP) or Individualized Program Planning (IPP) forms to let us know what accommodations you needed previously. These forms can only get you accommodations for up to one semester.
For ongoing accommodations Access and Inclusion Services requires you to submit a medical report. This report will have all the information regarding your accommodations, it should also say the impact of your disability on your academics. The office will accept documentation from up to five years ago. Your access advisor is your go-to person for more information regarding accommodation documentation.
Does Access and Inclusion Services have a specific form we can print out and bring to our doctor?
Does Access and Inclusion Services have a specific form we can print out and bring to our doctor?
The form your doctor needs to fill out is the Disability Verification Form for Students with Permanent or Persistent or Prolonged Disabilities.
Your doctor may charge you for filling out this report, however MRU cannot reimburse you for that payment.
Do we need to submit both our IPP and psychoeducational assessment?
Do we need to submit both our IPP and psychoeducational assessment?
Please submit both documents if you have them. Access and Inclusion Services should have as much information as possible. But you may not have a previous IPP, so submitting just the psychoeducational assessment is perfectly fine.
Can Access and Inclusion Services assist with getting and implementing supports?
Can Access and Inclusion Services assist with getting and implementing supports?
Yes, your access advisor will be there to support you throughout this process. There are also technology advisors that are available for technological support and accommodations.
Can my accommodations change during my time at university?
Can my accommodations change during my time at university?
Yes, accommodations can change throughout your time at MRU. Accommodations are like a living document, which is created to support you in your academic journey. If your needs change throughout university then your accommodations may change to match your needs.
Do you require different materials from international or non-credit students to get accommodations?
Do you require different materials from international or non-credit students to get accommodations?
International students go through the same process as domestic students when registering with Access and Inclusion Services. This process is also the same for credit and non-credit students.
What grants are available? Does your family income impact your accessibility resources and grants?
What grants are available? Does your family income impact your accessibility resources and grants?
Alberta Student Aid currently provides a Disability Grant for $2,800. To receive this grant you have to apply for Alberta Student Loans. This does not mean that you have to pay your tuition through loans. If you want to receive the Disability Grant but do not want or need loans you can:
Complete the loan application, which will ask for information about your disability and accommodations as well.
Show that your costs are more than your income, so you can qualify for a student loan.
Finally, you can put in a dollar in the amount requested section, and you should be able to qualify for the Disability Grants that you may need.
There is also a Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent or Persistent or Prolonged Disabilities. For technology such as a laptop, you can get $2,000, but overall this grant can be up to $10,000.
If you are declined for Alberta Student Aid services or grants you can appeal it and attach more information. For instance, if you are paying for rent, food, or other needs, then you can appeal for your family income to not take away your grant eligibility. This will depend upon a case-to-case scenario. You may also check the Alberta Student Aid website for more information.
Do sources of income include RESPs?
Do sources of income include RESPs?
Yes, RESPs are considered a source of income and they can affect your eligibility for disability grants. Be sure to only include the RESPs you use for the current school year you are in, not the total amount you will be using for your entire schooling. For example, If you have 10,000 in RESPs to be used over 4 years, you should put 2,500 per year.
When is the best time to start the application for a disability grant?
When is the best time to start the application for a disability grant?
The application for the grants is usually posted in June or early July and this would also be the best time to apply. The sooner that you can submit your application the better.
“It's not the student that has the disability, it is the environment that creates it” ~ Janet Arnold
“It's not the student that has the disability, it is the environment that creates it” ~ Janet Arnold
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