The resources on this page will help you communicate about your disability and deal with related issues.
For example, you may need to tell an employer or school about your disability to receive assistance. You may also require specific working conditions, technology, or programs to help you succeed.
Disclosure
Disclosure means telling someone about your disability. The decision to disclose is one only you can make. You may decide to disclose to an employer or a school administrator on an application form, in an interview, or not at all.
If you’re applying for support, you may be required to disclose your disability.
For example, Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES) requires that you disclose your disability to receive accommodation or assistive services and technology.
For more information, visit:
- Disclosure: What to Say About Your Disability and When to Say It
- Talking About Invisible Disabilities
Accommodations
Accommodations are changes made by employers, schools, and organizations to assist persons with disabilities. Changes can be made to rules, standards, policies, workplace cultures, and physical environments. This is known as a duty to accommodate.
Accommodations at school and work can include:
- Physical facilities like elevators or modified washrooms
- Work or school conditions like reduced hours of work or oral rather than written exams
- Services and technology like specially-trained companion dogs and devices that enhance speech
Additional information and resources:
- Accommodations: Working with Your Disability
- Duty to accommodate
Alberta Human Rights Commission - Duty to accommodate students with disabilities in post-secondary educational institutions
Alberta Human Rights Commission - Disability Benefits
Government of Canada - A to Z of Disabilities and Accommodations
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Assistive services and technology
This kind of assistance includes services like employment programs for developmentally disabled adults and devices such as hands-free telephones.
- Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES)
Funding for assistive services and technology - Government of Canada Persons with Disabilties Online: Assistive Technology
Information about assistive devices for work and independent living - Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL)
Financial assistance for medical equipment and supplies
In these videos, learn how Carly, Kim, Mark, Renee, and Wade are accessing the supports they need to be successful:
Post-Secondary Success Stories: Attaining University Goals (2:50)
Carly is a university student with an invisible disability. Learn how she's adapted her learning style and reached out to get the supports and accommodations she needs to be successful.
Post-Secondary Success Stories: Graduate Student and Community Advocate (2:25)
Kim is a graduate student with a learning disability. With the help of assistive technology and access to post-secondary funding, she's becoming a strong advocate for her community.
Post-Secondary Success Stories: Diploma in Disability Studies (2:59)
Mark is leveraging his own life experience to pursue a diploma in disability studies. Learn about his experiences in residence and the work he completed overseas for his international practicum.
Post-Secondary Success Stories: BA in Psychology (2:34)
Renee is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She describes how she learned to open up about her invisible disability and access the funding supports, accommodations, and adaptive technology she needed.
Post-Secondary Success Stories: BSc in Psychology (2:58)
Wade is pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Learn how he overcame feelings of discouragement and accessed the supports and adaptive technology he needed to be successful.