Student Reviews

Kezia Wong, Undergraduate Honours Psychology Student, University of Manitoba

Academic accommodations help make learning experiences more accessible and are often offered to university students who declare their disabilities. With the understanding that students with disabilities can be disadvantaged relative to other students, academic accommodations allow them to show their knowledge and understanding of course material and skills via alternative pathways or with additional resources.

But there continues to be a misconception that academic accommodations threaten academic integrity at the course and institutional levels. This view ultimately lacks support. Those working in the field of academic integrity instead argue that we must support those with disabilities so that they can thrive alongside their peers. This can possibly be done by understanding the differences between equality and equity. Whereas equality calls for the same treatment regardless of circumstance, equity recognizes pre-existing unequal conditions that are actually unfair and unjust but that can be at least partially improved with resources and opportunities that allow outcomes to be achieved. As the world we live in often puts those with disabilities last relative to other individuals and groups, it is important to correct for unfair treatment or conditions by offering suitable academic accommodations.

Sydney Kreitz, Undergraduate Honours Psychology Student, University of Manitoba

It is imperative to recognize that there is still a prevalent view that accommodations are just “situationally sanctioned cheating” (Silverman, 2022), but this view may come from misunderstanding of how the concepts of equity and equality apply in education. As this chapter states, equity is “recognizing the systemic and historic factors when considering the fair treatment and allocation of resources and opportunities to reach similar outcomes,” whereas equality means “the individual receives equal or identical resources, opportunities, and treatment regardless of their particular situation or systemic or historical barriers.” When equity is taken into perspective, it promotes integrity and fairness, trust, responsibility, respect, courage, and honesty. There are other major factors regarding students being able to receive accessible learning. Many major factors contribute to the lack of easy access to accessibility services for students who need it. These factors are due in part to a lack of understanding of disability, lack of knowledge, and stereotypes. To meet the needs of all students, educators should focus on equity using strategies related to universal design. The goal is to reduce the barriers to learning and help create easier access to education for all. Universal design is important because it acknowledges the differences between specific people and groups of people.