The Decibel The growing demand for disability accommodations in universities
Feb 13, 2025
In this discussion, Joe Friesen, a postsecondary reporter for The Globe, highlights the dramatic rise in requests for disability accommodations at Canadian universities, especially at Queen's, where the rate has soared to 22%. He delves into the evolving identity of disabilities among students, including invisible ones, and stresses the strains on faculty who must adapt their teaching methods. Friesen advocates for universal design in education and calls for cultural shifts within institutions to ensure better support and inclusivity for all students.
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Increased Demand for Accommodations
- Canadian universities are experiencing a significant rise in students requiring disability accommodations.
- Queen's University, for instance, saw a near doubling of students with accommodations in just five years.
Professor Workload Increase
- One professor estimated a 14-hour increase in workload per assignment due to accommodations for a 200+ student class.
- This involves extra time spent on emails, alternate assessments, and varied exam options.
Types of Accommodations
- Accommodations encompass both instructional and assessment adjustments.
- Examples include captioning, interpretation, extended exam times, alternate exam settings, and memory aids.