Students become eligible for our programs and services once they register with SAS and provide documentation to support their disabilities.
Academic Assistant or Attendant Program
Assistive Technology
Alternate Format Materials
Classroom Equipment Program
Coaching Program
Computer/Study Room Use
Tutoring Services
Volunteer Note-taking Program
Workshop and Professional Development Opportunities for Students
Academic Assistant or Attendant Program
The attendant program is designed to provide students with assistance on campus, especially in the classroom. Attendants will help ensure assignments, tests and deadlines are understood by the student. In most cases, Attendants will go to class with students, meet beforehand to go over needs for upcoming class, help decipher pertinent information from lectures and discussions and often meet afterwards to review course notes and upcoming deadlines. Attendants will also assist with interaction between professor and the student. For more information about this program, please contact Jamie Penner at Jamie.Penner1@ad.umanitoba.ca.
Assistive Technology
The SAS test/exam centre is equipped with software and equipment provided to assist students in their academic work including studying, test-taking, and assignment completion. JAWS, WindowEyes, Kurzweil, Dragon, ZoomText and TextHelp are available for use on the computers in the test/exam centre.
More information on assistive technology offered.
Students are welcome to use our Exam Centre offices and computers/programs for studying or coursework provided they are not in use for tests/exams. This is on a first-come first-serve basis, so it is best if rooms and computers are booked by dropping by the Test/Exam Centre at 155 University Centre.
The UM Libraries has space and equipment available for students to use, please see their website for further details.
If you would like further information, Student Accessibility Services has an Assistive Technologist on staff that can help with the installation and training of many adaptive programs. Please contact our Test/Exam Centre to set up an appointment or click here.
Alternate Format Materials
In order for Student Accessibility Services to acquire alternate format textbooks, the student is required to purchase a copy of the book and provide the SAS office with a copy of the receipt. If it is not possible for the office to find an alternate format already created, the book will need to be produced. Different format requests will require special procedures.
Available formats
PDF:
The PDF format will normally be a raw publisher file with print markers, etc. PDF is a good format for students who need alternate formats for magnification purposes. This format will also work with screen readers like Kurzweil or Read & Write Gold. However, slight errors can arise due to the print markers and the fact that the documents are saved as raw files. This textbook format is favoured by students due to the faster availability rate, rather than the slower E-text format. Two weeks is needed for order and delivery of the PDF format.
E-text:
The E-text format will arrive in a PDF format that has been cleaned up specifically for screen readers like Jaws or Window Eyes. The document will be proof-read to ensure everything is in order and works properly. However, this format can take between 2 and 3 weeks to be delivered, which can be detrimental for staying caught up with course material.
Note on PDF and E-text: The copy of the book provided will be sent away, the spine cut off to allow for alternate format production, and will be returned to you coil-bound. A copy of the course syllabus will also need to be provided so that in the case of delayed production, individual chapters can be produced and delivered as the term progresses.
Audio (MP3):
The Audio format is a descriptive reading of the book requested, that is saved as a MP3 file. This format usually takes quite some time to get in as most books need to be produced. The wait time is typically 2 months.
Note on audio – Two copies of the textbook will be required for production of this format type. One is required for the reader and the other for the sound engineer; both books will be returned back intact once the file is created. A copy of the course syllabus will be need to be provided so that in the case of delayed production, individual chapters can be produced and delivered as the term progresses.
Braille:
Student Accessibility Services does not have a specific timeline for Braille production, as formatting times can vary quite dramatically depending on time of year. For large works, textbooks are sent away to be produced, whereas smaller class handouts are produced on campus at the University of Manitoba. Typically, Braille format documents produced on campus are ready within 1 week. For more details please contact the Test/Exam Centre at 155 University Centre.
Note on braille - The copy of the book provided will be sent away, the spine cut off to allow for alternate format production, and will be returned to you coil-bound. A copy of the course syllabus will also need to be provided so that in the case of delayed production, individual chapters can be produced and delivered as the term progresses.
For more details on alternate format materials please contact Jeff Buhse at jeff.buhse@ad.umanitoba.ca
To order alternate format materials, please use our online request form.
Classroom Equipment Program
For students with decreased mobility, classroom accessibility and equipment can be assessed according to each student's needs. Equipment such as tables, Obusformes, and podiums can be placed in classrooms as necessary, and any classroom accessibility issues can be discussed with an Accessibility Advisor at the beginning of each term.
Coaching Program
The coaching program assists students to better manage aspects of their lives that interfere with their academic progress. Coaches support, encourage, advise and confront while providing opportunities for skill development that leads to increased self-efficacy and successful academic outcomes for the students. Please contact Lisa Banash at Lisa.Banash@ad.umanitoba.ca for more information.
Computer/Study Room Use
Students are welcome to use our Exam Centre offices and computers/programs for studying or coursework provided they are not in use for tests or exams. This is on a first-come first-serve basis, so it is best if rooms and computers are booked ahead of time by contacting the Test/Exam Centre at 155 University Centre.
Tutoring Services
Tutors are not available through Student Accessibility Services at this time. Please see the website for the Learning Assistance Center's Tutor Registry for a list of available tutors.
Volunteer Note-taking Program
SAS offers a volunteer note-taking service for students who require assistance taking notes in class. Students who require VNTs must activate their account with Student Accessibility Services by emailing student_accessibility@umanitoba.ca or their Accessibility Advisor and inform us that you require a Volunteer Note-taker for the term.