Fostering Shared Responsibility for Academic Accommodations at Humber

At Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber, supporting the implementation of academic accommodations is a collaborative effort involving faculty, staff, and learners. Faculty play a critical role in ensuring accommodations are effectively realized in the learning environment, creating inclusive academic spaces and enhancing learner success. 

To assist faculty in navigating the accommodation process, Accessible Learning Services (ALS) is pleased to introduce three asynchronous modules available on the HRMS LEARN platform. These modules have undergone a high-level review by members of the Humber community, including the Centre for Innovative Learning. These modules are designed to provide faculty with practical tools for responding to accommodation requests and integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Each module is grounded in the social model of disability, shifting the focus from individual challenges to addressing barriers within the learning environment.

The modules available on the HRMS LEARN platform include:

  1. Responding to Accommodation Letters: Steps for understanding and addressing accommodation requests.
  2. Implementing Academic Accommodations: Steps to determine whether an element of your course is an essential requirement and a review of the most frequently accessed academic accommodations.
  3. Introduction to Universal Design for Learning: An overview of UDL and its application in creating accessible learning environments (available in November).

These modules align with Humber’s commitment to inclusivity and student success, offering practical steps faculty can take to ensure their classrooms are welcoming and accessible to all. Faculty are encouraged to explore these resources to better understand their role in the accommodation process and enhance their teaching practices in ways that benefit every learner.