Thompson Rivers University, Disability Services
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Mission and Mandate
Disability Services is committed to providing services, and reasonable accomodations for students with disabilities, enabling them to integrate into the university environment and achieve their potential for success as self-directed, independent learners. Services and accommodations are tailored to students' individual needs based on their documentation and the functional impact of their disability. Services may include but are not limited to the following:
- Alternate-format texts
- Accommodated examinations
- Referrals for technical aids, adaptive technology and equipment
- Applications for funding
The department assists in providing equal access to educational opportunities at Thompson Rivers University by reducing the physical, attitudinal, and systemic barriers for students.
Useful Links:
TRU-OL Forms (Online and PDF)
Financial Aid and Awards
Eligibility for Services
Students who have verifiable permanent disabilities such as:
- Chronic health impairment
- Visual impairment/blind
- Mobility impairment
- Mental health disability
- Neurological impairment
- Deaf/hearing impaired
- Physical disability
- Learning disability
are eligible for disability services.
Students requiring services and/or additional arrangements are required to provide Disability Services with current documentation (within the last five years) of their medical condition and/or disability. Acceptable documentation must be obtained from a certified health-care professional who has specific training, the appropriate professional designation and expertise in the diagnosis of conditions for which the arrangements are being requested. The documentation must address the "functional impact" of the disability. Examples of appropriate health-care professionals include a physician or medical specialist, opthamologist, certified audiologist, psychiatrist, registered clinical psychologist, certified school psychologist (BCASP-registered if in BC), neurologist, neuropsychologist. The psychologist must provide a DSM diagnosis.
Additional arrangements are only provided upon clear diagnosis of a disability and are based on the "functional impact" of the disability. This is determined by a TRU disability advisor and, when necessary, in consultation with the TRU manager of Disability Services. Contact Disability Services for clarification regarding acceptable documentation.
Students with disabilities are required to contact the Disability Services Department at least 12 weeks before their intended course start date to determine eligibility and arrange both services and accommodations, which might require considerable lead time.
Services and Accommodations
Services and accommodations are tailored to students' individual needs based on their documentation and the functional impact of their disability. Services may include but are not limited to the following:
- Transition planning
- Assisted registration and admissions
- Accommodated examinations (extra time, scribing, etc.)
- Alternate format texts
- Mobility and physical access solutions
- Technical aids and adaptive equipment
- Tutoring
- Sign language interpretation
- Instructor liaison
- Referral to community resources
- Application for funding
Transition Planning
Disability Service provision is a key element of transition planning for students with disabilities but is only one piece of a much larger transition process into the university environment. The transition to the post-secondary environment signals a significant shift in the student's academic life whereby the student becomes an equal partner in her/his education as a self-directed, independent learner.
For students with disabilities requiring additional arrangements and who are registered with TRU it is crucial that they contact Disability Services a minimum of twelve (12) weeks prior to the start of their semester or course(s). In addition to our receipt and verification of disability documentation, some services, such as interpreting, alternate format texts, and external funding, require sufficient lead time to arrange.
A student with a disability requiring additional arrangements and/or supports should contact Disability Services to begin the application review process.
Disability Services Department
| Phone: | 1.888.828.6644 (toll-free in Canada) 250.828.5023 (Kamloops) |
| Email: | dso@tru.ca |
A student with a disability requiring additional arrangements and/or supports should contact Disability Services to begin the application review process.
for more and updated information go to http://www.tru.ca/distance/services/disabilities.html