Accommodation refers to equipment, practices or policies that enable a student or employee with a designated disability to succeed in the education system or workplace.
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In BC, if you have a chronic condition or disability, you are legally entitled to accessibility rights and protections under both provincial and federal laws. These rights ensure you are treated fairly and can fully participate in society, whether in education, employment, public spaces, or accessing services.
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- Accessibility rights mandate access without discrimination to education, jobs, services, and housing, and when required, accommodations so that your physical or mental disability does not unfairly prevent you from participating. This is outlined by the Accessible Canada Act by the Government of Canada.
- Organizations such as employers, schools, landlords, or businesses must accommodate your disability up to the point of undue hardship. This may include modified work schedules or duties, assistive devices or technology, accessible entryways or washrooms, and/ or communication supports (for example sign language interpretation, alternative formats).
- Know that employers have a duty to accommodate disabilities of employees up to the point of undue hardship. Learn about accommodation information for employees from the Government of BC.
- Know that if your health changes have affected your ability to work, WorkBC Employment Services funded by the Government of BC, offers one-on-one counselling, skills training, and work placement support.
- Understand that you may need and be eligible for accommodation after re-entering the workforce after time away due to family responsibilities, disability or chronic illness or other reasons. Know that you are not required to disclose details of your diagnosis, only how it affects your ability to function or participate.
- Learning and educational accommodations may include scribes, note-takers, extra time for exams, and/or adaptive technology and materials.
Things You Can Do
- Learn if your condition qualifies as a disability by restricting your ability to perform daily activities, being expected to last 2 or more years, and requiring you to need assistance from another person, assistive devices, or therapy and medications. Some conditions that may qulaify, depending on their severity, may include multiple sclerosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, epilepsy, mental illnesses, cerebral palsy, COPD, chronic pain, HIV/AIDS, severe mobility or visual impairments, and others.
- Assessment and confirmation is required by your physician or nurse practitioner. This needs to include a confirmed diagnosis, a letter outlining your conditions impact on your daily life, and support in applications for disability funding.
- Identify what types of accommodations are available and that you might require for work or education opportunities.
- Consider connecting with support groups or people with similar conditions and/or disabilities to learn about their experiences with assessments, designation, and accessing services and programs.
- Contact BC211, a non-profit organization that specializes in providing information and referrals regarding community, government and social services in BC. It also provides access to assistive devices, specialized equipment and financial services to support your education or employment.
- Explore assistance programs for students with disabilities for services and adaptive equipment from the BC Disability Education Funding.
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