Assistive Technology

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology (AT) includes devices and software designed to help you overcome disability-related barriers in the academic setting.

For more details contact your assistive technology advisor (ATA). If you don’t have an ATA ask your access advisor for a referral

What to Expect in Your Technology Meeting

If your Access Advisor recommends assistive technology accommodations for you, they refer you to an Assistive Technology Advisor (ATA). Here’s what the meeting with an ATA will look like:

What you need for your meeting

  • If meeting in person on campus:

What will be covered:

  • Your educational history, the disability-related barriers you experience, and your academic goals
  • Recommendations for assistive technology
  • Installation and training of AT on your device
  • Potential eligibility for technology grants

Afterward, your ATA will send you an email summarizing what was discussed in your meeting, including links to extra resources.

Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities 

As a student experiencing a disability, you may be eligible for grant funding to cover the cost of assistive technology.

Note: Funding eligibility is determined by eligibility for Canada Student Loans and based on documentation from a licensed professional.

  • Students may be eligible for up to $20,000 per school year for the Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities. This grant covers exceptional education-related costs associated with a student's disability.
  • Examples of assistive technology include computers with screen reading software (e.g. Read&Write, JAWS or ZoomText), voice-activated software (e.g. Dragon Naturally Speaking), or audio recording devices (e.g. Livescribe Pen). 

Deadlines for the 2022/23 Academic Year:

Deadlines are based on the study period start and end dates listed on your Alberta Student Aid application

Start Date

End Date

Deadline

Whole academic year

September 8, 2022 

April 21, 2023

January 20, 2023

Fall 2022 semester only

September 8, 2022

December 22, 2022 

November 18, 2022

Winter 2023 semester only 

January 5,  2023

April 21, 2023

March 17, 2023

Spring 2023 semester only

May 1, 2023

June 16, 2023

April 28, 2023

For more information:

Grant Funding Reconciliation Worksheet

Alberta Student Aid

Canada Student Loans

Where Can I Find Accessible Computers on Campus?

The Computer Commons area on the first floor of the Riddell Library and Learning Centre has an accessible workstation with Read & Write, Kurzweil, and ZoomText for students to use.

There is also a CCTV (to magnify printed pages on a monitor), a scanner, and adjustable height tables in the same area.

All computers in the Library have Read & Write software installed.

Campus maps

Training

  • Upcoming assistive technology workshops can be found on Accommodate. Click on the “Events” tab and then “Workshops” to sign up.

Other Tech Issues