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Accessibility Services

 

Accessibility Services

Advocating for an accessible learning environment for all students at Red Deer Polytechnic.

How Resources and Accommodations are Determined

Classroom Accommodations

Recommended classroom accommodations and services may include, but not necessarily be limited to:

  • Preferential seating
  • Accessible and/or ergonomic furniture
  • Sign language interpreter
  • Assistive listening device
  • Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) reporting
  • Lecture recording (find the Lecture Recording Agreement below)
  • Access to PowerPoint slides and/or instructor notes
  • Access to assistive technology (e.g. enlargement hardware)
  • Handouts in an accessible format (e.g. e-text, enlarged, Braille)

Exam Accommodations

Exam accommodations are alterations to exam conditions to ensure that eligible students have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the material tested by an exam. Exam accommodations may be required by students whose disabilities or chronic health conditions impact processing and comprehending printed material, written expression, learning, concentration, or who require rest periods or specific furniture during test and exams.

Examples of exam accommodations include:

  • Extended time for exams
  • Distraction-reduced environment
  • Use of a dictionary or thesaurus
  • Use of ergonomic seating, and/or a hydraulic table
  • Use of adaptive technology or software (e.g. spell check, calculator, ZoomText, text to voice, voice to text)

Exam accommodations are a shared responsibility and require collaboration between the student, instructor, Testing Services, and Accessibility Services. Students are responsible for booking accommodated exams within the given time frame indicated to allow time for the appropriate arrangements to be made.

For more information, contact Testing Services:


Exam Accommodations for Online Exams

There are some exam accommodations that students can facilitate directly themselves when completing an online exam in their own space. These may include:

  • Alone Space, Study Carrel, Hydraulic Table, and Wheelchair Access
  • Dimmable Lights and Screen-Masking
  • Use of Calculator, Dictionary, Thesaurus
  • Tests Provided in Larger Font (By increasing the font size on your personal computer)
  • Sign Language Interpreter 

There are some accommodations that your instructor will need to facilitate such as extended time, a printed copy of the exam etc. Please contact your instructor to confirm your exam accommodations.

Memory Aid Guidelines

Students with documented memory retrieval impairments due to a medical condition or learning disability may be approved to use a visual memory aid as an academic accommodation by an Accessibility Coordinator.  A memory aid is approved as an accommodation only if it does not fundamentally alter academic standards or reduce academic requirements. Students with this accommodation must have their memory aid approved by their instructor to ensure that it meets these standards.

WHAT A MEMORY AID IS: 

The memory aid is student-created and is intended to allow equal opportunity to demonstrate competence, and to display knowledge and understanding of course content.  A memory aid helps the student retrieve learned information and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the material being tested.  

  • Single page (8.5 x 11), may be double sided, font size no smaller than 12 pt 

  • Provides cues and DOES NOT provide answers 

  • Key terms, personal phrases, acronyms, category headings 

  • Diagrams and/or tables 

A memory aid is not a ‘cheat sheet’ with facts that could alter the academic expectations of a course.  A memory aid shall not modify the essential requirements of a course. 

TYPES OF VISUAL MEMORY AIDS: 

Cue Sheet - contains “prompts” to help cue recollection of previously learned material. 

Formula Sheet - contains formulae – a set of rules or principles that are expressed using symbols and/or figures.  

PROCESS FOR USING MEMORY AID EXAM ACCOMMODATION: 

STUDENT: 

  1. Receive approval from your Accessibility Coordinator to use a memory aid accommodation.  

  1. Discuss with your instructor to determine an appropriate memory aid that fits with the course's design. 

  1. Submit your memory aid to your instructor at least 5 business days before each exam or on a mutually agreed date.  

INSTRUCTOR: 

  1. Once the student has completed the above steps, save a digital copy of the approved memory aid using the following naming convention:  Last Name, First Name - Memory Aid - Approved Date 

  1. Upload the memory aid to Access+ at least 2 business days prior to the exam date. 

Note: Instructors may deny the memory aid submitted by a student if it past the submission deadline and/or if the content does not meet recommended guidelines. 

CREATING YOUR MEMORY AID: 

  1. Study the material you are being tested on. 

  1. Create a list of the key information you most need help remembering. 

  1. Determine what cues will work best to help prompt your memory. 

  1. Prepare your memory aid in advance, following the guidelines identified (size and spacing). Consult with your instructor for additional guidance to create your memory aid as needed. Put your full name, RDP Student ID # and Course Name, Code, and Section with Exam Date on the top of the Memory Aid. 

  1. Revise (if needed) and use it to study for your test or exam. 

  1. Submit your memory aid to your instructor for approval. The instructor will then upload the approved memory aid to Access+ for Testing Services. 

  1. At the time of your exam, Testing Services will provide you with the instructor-approved copy of the Memory Aid.

What you need to know for the test... What you need help remembering...
   
   
   
   

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is any high-tech or low-tech tool, product or system that helps you improve your ability to do something. It could be, for example, a pen that records audio or a computer program that reads out written words.

  • The Accessibility Technology Strategist can introduce you to recommended technology during your Assistive Technology Assessment or upon referral from an Accessibility Coordinator.
  • Training and demonstration of assistive technology software is provided on the technology you currently own.
  • We will troubleshoot technology operation problems.
  • Assistive technology software and specialized equipment can be borrowed through Accessibility Services.

To book an appointment with an Accessibility Technology Strategist, click here.

Alternate Format Text Services

Students with print disabilities, such as visual impairments and learning disabilities, may benefit from textbooks and material in an alternate format text (AFT). The main type of AFT accessed is electronic text, which, when used with assistive software, will either enlarge the text or convert the text to audio.

To be eligible for access to AFT, documentation from an appropriate medical professional must include this recommendation. This documentation must be presented to an Accessibility Coordinator, who will refer the student for training on ordering the AFT and using assistive software.

Please note: to fulfill copyright regulations, the textbook must be purchased before Alternate Format Text is ordered.

Order your Alternate Format textbooks through your Access+ account.