Inclusive Education

The University of Lethbridge is one of more than 20 Alberta post-secondary institutions partnering with Inclusion Alberta to support individuals with developmental disabilities to pursue higher education. The Inclusive Post-Secondary Initiative supports students with developmental and intellectual disabilities to participate in regular programs, attend classes and labs, write exams and assignments, and enjoy campus life at ULethbridge.

The goal is for participating students to be fully included in their studies and campus life, pursue career aspirations, develop life-long friendships, gain independence, and build life-enriching experiences.

Eligibility

Inclusive post-secondary education is open to any individual who is PDD eligible. Inclusion Alberta is committed to ensuring these supports are available to all, no matter how complex the disability is. We truly believe that everyone can learn.

As required by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, everyone who receives support for inclusive post-secondary education must be eligible for PDD funding. If you are unsure what this means, please review the eligibility details or contact PDD. The applicant doesn't need to be currently receiving PDD support at the time of application; they just need to be eligible for supports. There are no specific academic requirements – all applicants will be considered regardless of a prospective student’s support needs, so long as they meet PDD eligibility.

Tuition

Tuition is not covered by PDD funding; it is the responsibility of each student. Students should budget roughly $2,000/year for tuition, textbooks and associational fees. If this is a barrier for you or your family, please contact Inclusion Alberta to discuss payment options. There are scholarships available to inclusive education students who meet the requirements.

For more information:

Janelle Dyck, Coordinator
Inclusive Post-Secondary Education
Student Affairs

janelle.dyck@uleth.ca | 403-915-7335

How It Works

Students with developmental disabilities attend post-secondary for the same reasons as other post-secondary students:

Further their education
Meet new people and develop friendships/relationships
Develop and pursue career opportunities
Contribute to and benefit from campus life and associations

Students audit programs of study to pursue individualized learning goals related to regular course content, complete modified course assignments, and write modified exams to demonstrate what they have learned. At the end of their studies, students will attend convocation and receive a certificate of achievement to acknowledge their hard work, accomplishments, and commitment to learning. Students do not typically receive credits or the associated degree, as they are not taking the program of study for credit. However, they develop new skills; gain new knowledge; build both personal and professional networks; and have valuable learning experiences related to their career ambitions.

Inclusion Alberta Participating Institutions

A Day In The Life

Students supported by the Inclusive Initiative participate in all the same learning and campus activities as their peers.

With the support of the Initiative, students attend class, participate in class discussions, complete assignments, write exams, and contribute to group assignments. In addition, inclusive Education facilitators collaborate with faculty and university staff to adapt and modify course expectations and materials. In class, fellow classmates offer natural support by sharing notes, including students in group work and engaging students in discussion, among other classroom learning activities.

Students attend classes daily, depending on their respective course load.

Students can expect to spend their time:

Attending class
Reviewing course material with support from one of our facilitators
Engaging in independent and group study with classmates
Building on social connections with classmates and peers
Participating in campus life activities (clubs, events, etc.)
Working part-time

Campus Life

Student participation in campus life is essential to their academic success and personal fulfillment. An Inclusive Education facilitator will support students with developmental disabilities to pursue an active campus life.

Involvement is encouraged inside and outside the classroom and off-campus for the purposes of students developing interpersonal skills and expanding employment opportunities. Additionally, students benefit greatly from becoming active members of the community by increasing their ability to form long-lasting friendships, with genuine relationships emerging.

Students supported by the Inclusive Initiative often seek to enhance their student experience by becoming involved in extracurricular activities such as: