Accommodations & Technology
Leveling the Field: Student Accommodations
A disability can make university challenging in ways听many听may not consider. At Cape Breton University, we听苍别惫别谤听want a disability to听stand听in the way of learning.听We听want our students to achieve success.听
If you are a student with a disability,听we help you find ways of achieving the same academic outcomes as your peers听through accommodations appropriate to your disability.听
How We Can Help
Our friendly staff at听CBU鈥檚听Jennifer Keeping Centre听coordinate听a wide range of services and accommodations听that will make for a more equitable academic experience.听
Class Accommodations
Note-takers: 听If you have a disability听that makes it difficult to take notes,听note-takers can help.听
Alternate format texts and assignments: Need large print texts or printed overheads? We can format textbooks to be used by Kurzweil, a speech-to-text software popular with people who have听a disability that affects their reading.听
Recording:听Recording听can be used in class听if it is听part of needed accommodations and JKC Audio Recording Agreement is signed.听听
Preferential seating: We can arrange to seat you up front听if it helps you see the board or screen better or for other reasons that relate to your disability.听Other seating arrangements can be made as well, based on听your听disability.听
Test and Exam Accommodations
Proctor services and alternative scheduling: Depending on your disability, we may be able to provide you with exam supervision in a quiet area separate from your regular class. We may also be able to schedule your exam at a different time.听听
Alternate format tests and exams: We can have your tests and exams printed in large font or conducted orally, depending on your needs.听听
Extended testing period: 听If you have a disability that听causes you to take longer to write tests and exams,听we may be able to extend the test or exam time.听
Use of technology and other aids:听If 测辞耻鈥檙别 a student with a disability, use of a computer might be a needed accommodation听for听reading or writing technology, or听to display your exam with an increased font size.
Readers: If听you need听someone to听read听your test or exam to you听due to your vision or a learning disability, we can听arrange for听that.听
Scribes: If you have a disability that makes it difficult to write or type answers for your tests or听exams,听we can arrange for a scribe听to assist you.听
Other Accommodations
Reduced course load: If听测辞耻鈥檙别听a student with a disability, two courses per term听is the听minimum听course load听to听maintain听full-time status. This is important when applying for financial听assistance.听
Canadian students with disabilities are eligible for grants through their provincial governments for the following services听based on their disability.听These services听are a fee based听and the Jennifer Keeping Centre simply helps match students with听a听service provider.听听
Tutors: We ensure that suggested听tutors are students who have performed well in that course in previous听years or听have completed equivalent听coursework听or have a degree in the subject matter.听
Learning Strategist:听听Strategists听meet with the student to听work on study skills, time management and organizational skills.听Strategists听usually听have a听Bachelor of Education,听Master’s听Degree,听or work experience in the field.听
Educational Attendants: Individuals who听assist听students听in听getting to and from class, take notes and听assist听them with attending activities on campus.听
Requesting Accommodations
To request听accommodations and/or assistive technology听from the Jennifer Keeping Centre, students must register using the听Accommodate online portal.
Breaking Down Barriers: Assistive Technology
At Cape Breton University鈥檚 Jennifer Keeping Centre,听we can help you听determine听the听technology听you need to help you with your studies.听Please set up an appointment by emailing jkc@cbu.ca听
This technology includes:
Computers: The听JKC听has听computers are equipped with听assistive technology听software such as听text readers and speech to text.听听
Scanner/Printer:听Our scanner is used to digitize notes from note takers听and for students to print notes or slides.听Handouts may also be converted to digital text to allow for the use of screen readers.听
Alternative Format Texts: Textbooks can be听purchased听in digital format initially or if that is not available the Jennifer Keeping Center can apply to the publisher for a digital copy if the student听purchases听the physical text and听provides a receipt to the JKC via .
Canadian students with disabilities are eligible for grants through their provincial governments that may cover some of the following equipment based on their disability. 听
Laptop/Computer/Tablet: This is based on the student鈥檚 need听and can be used in many ways such as organization or running assistive technology.听
Software: Assistive software can be used to helps students in many areas such as text to speech, speech to text,听mind mapping,听note taking, or听organization.听(Please note that you do not need to buy Microsoft Office 365 as it is听provided听for all听CBU听students.)听
Noise Cancelling Headphones:听These may be needed for students who have trouble concentrating due to their disability.听
Braille embosser: This technology allows students to听emboss听or print text material directly from a computer or听tablet.听
Braille听note听taking devices:听Braille听note听taking devices听make it easier for students,听who use braille,听to take notes efficiently and effectively.听
Magnification:听Magnification programs and equipment can assist students who need enlarged text or graphic materials.听听
JAWS: 听Job Access听With听Speech is a text-to-speech program that reads screen text听aloud听to the student. It requires the use of keyboard commands听and is used by students who are blind or have low vision.听
