Accessibility Services

If you are a student impacted by a permanent, persistent, or prolonged disability, you may be eligible for funding to cover the cost of assistive technology or academic services.

Examples of assistive technology include:

• Audio-recording devices (e.g., Livescribe Smartpen or digital recorder)
• Computer packages including screen reading software (e.g., Read&Write or Kurzweil) and dictation software (e.g., Dragon Naturally Speaking)
• Text-speech readers (e.g., C-Pen, Speechify)
• Noise-canceling headphones

Examples of academic services include:

• Alternate Formats
• Peer-tutoring
• Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART)
• Sign language interpreters
• Academic Aides

Proof of disability documentation is required to determine grant eligibility. See Documentation Requirements for more information.

Once approved by the government, students are required to complete and submit the Reconciliation Worksheet (Alberta) along with receipts (proof of purchase) by the end of the academic loan period. Any services or technology purchased/offered through the polytechnic will be reconciled on behalf of the student at the end of the academic loan period in which the student applied.

To apply for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities, you must complete your provincial loan application. Common student aid applications for Lethbridge Polytechnic include:

• Alberta Student Aid
• Saskatchewan Student Aid
• Student Aid BC

To apply for the disability grants, students need to meet with Accessibility Services for a Funding Appointment and have the required documentation (see Documentation Requirements) and any technology specifications (if applicable) submitted to the government by the deadline listed. No exceptions will be made. Accessibility Services can submit the disability grant application on behalf of students (see home province student aid office for more information on their submission requirements).

You can book your Funding Appointment here. Follow the instructions listed in Accommodate on how to schedule a Funding Appointment. It’s best to book this appointment early in the semester.

The deadlines for the disability grant are based on the start and end dates for the academic loan period.

Deadline for Grant only

Deadline for Services and Equipment* Grant

* If seeking funding for equipment in a semester/term that is fewer than 4 months (i.e., summer – short and long/apprenticeship), all technology requests need to be submitted prior to the term start date.

If you’re not interested in seeking student loans, you still need to apply for the disability grant by fully completing the student aid application.

• Check off that you have a permanent disability.
• Enter $1.00 of financial need when asked for the “Total Assistance Requested” at the very end of the application.

Accessibility Services is NOT responsible for the processing timeframe of the provincial student aid office. Many provincial websites provide a timeline of the dates they are processing disability grant applications (request for review). Please check the status of your grant application with your provincial student aid office.