Academic Accommodations for post-secondary students experiencing disabilities

Tuesday October 25, 2016 at 7:30 pm
in the Valhalla Room of the Scandinavian Centre,
739 – 20th Ave N.W. Calgary.
 
Speaker:
Patricia A. Pardo  – Director, Accessibility Services, Mount Royal University

The Talk:
Post-secondary institutions are required to take a pro-active approach in addressing disability related issues, and in establishing policies and programs that are accessible, equitable, and inclusive for students experiencing disabilities. Academic accommodations play an important role in creating an equitable environment where respect for the dignity of persons experiencing disabilities and respect for confidentiality are both realized. This presentation will provide an overview of the academic accommodation process, the disability related paradigms underlying the process, and an introduction to universal design for learning.

Biographical Notes:
Dr. Pardo was born in Mexico City and immigrated to Canada with her family in 1967. She speaks Spanish fluently and has, over the course of her career, worked in both Mexico and Central America. She has spent the last twenty-eight years of her career examining disability, diversity and equity issues and has also had the opportunity to work with post-secondary students by teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels in the areas of equity and disability.  Dr. Pardo received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Disability and Multicultural Organizational Change. She was the Director of the Disability Resource Centre (Student and Academic Services) and an adjunct assistant professor with the Faculty of Education, both at the University of Calgary.   She has been the President of both the Canadian and Alberta Associations of Disability Service Providers in Post-Secondary Education and is currently President Elect of the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services.  Dr. Pardo is a Chartered Counsellor through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and is the Director of Accessibility Services at Mount Royal University.