Accessibility Services

Accessibility and Accommodations

At Bow Valley College, we are committed to providing equal access to education and support tailored to the unique needs of all students.

If you are a student with a disability that may impact your learning or ability to complete your classes, you can book an appointment with an Accessibility Advisor through your MyBVC account. Disabilities may include but are not limited to a mental health diagnosis, learning disability, or a physical disability.

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Requesting Accommodations

Documentation may be required to access certain accommodations or services.

If you currently have documentation related to a disability — such as medical records, psychoeducational report, or an Individual Program Plan (IPP) or Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP) from another school — be prepared to share it with an Accessibility Advisor through your MyBVC account.

If you don’t have documentation, or are unsure what may be needed, you can still make an appointment and an advisor may be able to help you access the required documentation.

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Documentation Requests

You can request documentation from the following:

• Download and print the Functional Limitation Form for your doctor or medical practitioner to complete.

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If you’ve previously received accommodations at another school:

• Calgary School Board If you received accommodations at a Calgary Public School download and print the Student Record Request form to obtain your records.
• Calgary Catholic School District If you received accommodations while attending classes at a Calgary Catholic School download and print the Student Records Request form to obtain your records.
• Foothills School Division If you had accommodations while attending classes in the Foothills School Division, visit this site for information on how to obtain your records.

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Protected Grounds Accommodations

In addition to accommodations for disabilities, we also provide support based on protected grounds as outlined in the Alberta Human Rights Act. These accommodations are made once you have started classes and they ensure that students are not disadvantaged due to personal characteristics such as race, gender, religion, age, disability, and more.

Protected grounds include:

• Race
• Religion
• Gender
• Physical and mental disabilities
• Age
• Marital status
• Other protected characteristics under human rights laws

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Examples of accommodations available under protected grounds include:

• If an exam, test, class, or assignment conflicts with a religious, spiritual, or ceremonial observance, you can request accommodations.
• If exceptional circumstances, such as childcare or breastfeeding needs, impact your ability to attend classes, accommodations can be made.
• Accessible seating may be provided for students under protected grounds such as age, disability, or pregnancy.
• For students with learning disabilities or mental health challenges, extended time for exams or assignments can be arranged.
• Students with visual impairments or other learning disabilities can request course materials in alternative formats, such as audio or braille.

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How to Access Accommodations

Once you have been accepted into a program, we recommend that you contact Accessibility Services at least four weeks before the start of your term to ensure that any necessary accommodations are in place. You can reach out by calling 403-410-1440 or emailing accessibility@bowvalleycollege.ca.  Protected Grounds accommodations can be made once you start classes or as needed.

We are here to help you succeed, and we encourage you to reach out early so that we can provide the support you need for a smooth and successful academic experience.

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