Policy attempts to eliminate discrimination from education
Dalhousie’s updated accessibility policy allows accessibility service staff to help students avoid conflicts between academic performance and any protected human right. The policy came into effect Sept. 1.
“It’s our job to try to help students determine if there is an appropriate accommodation for their particular circumstance,” says Quenta Adams, director of Dal’s Advising and Access Services.
Human rights that are protected in Nova Scotia include religion, family status, gender identity, race, physical disabilities and mental disabilities.
The new policy makes it less of a hassle for staff to approve accommodations for a range of protected rights broader than just mental and physical disabilities. Yet there are still limits to the accommodations that Dal offers to provide, such as financial costs, the size and nature of the program and the academic requirements of the program.
“Accommodations for religious observance are the secondmost requested after disabilities,” Adams said.
Family status is another protected right where some simple accommodations, like breaks during exams and safe areas for breastfeeding, can make a big difference.
“It is the responsibility of every member of the Dalhousie University community to be knowledgeable on institutional policies related to prohibited grounds for discriminatory practices and accessibility,” states the new policy.
This is partly why Adams strongly encourages any student to speak with the accessibility office about how they can achieve their best performance at Dal.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities has found that one in five children and adults have learning and attention issues. The World Health Organization has found that one in four people in the world will be affected by mental health or neurological disorders at some point.
“Those numbers are not necessarily reflected in terms of who actually self-identifies, whether it’s through their application or through this office,” says Adams.
Adams says she challenges the idea that accommodations provide an unfair advantage to students. She added that the office consults with both students and professors when approving accommodations.
Adams says the ultimate goal is for professors to cater to the broadest demographic of students and their learning styles.
“We’re more concerned with the barriers,” Adams said. “So, what are the barriers that you’re facing on campus, and let’s help to address them so that students can essentially show their best.”
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