Category Archives: General Topics

November 19th is the last day to request your December exams

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THE AES EXAM REQUEST FORM FOR DECEMBER FINALS IS LIVE!

If you require accommodations for any exams in December 2021, please request those now.

11:59pm on November 19 is the deadline to request accommodations for any exams on December 3 or later. This includes all midterms and finals on or after December 3.

Please submit requests for ALL December exams that you need accommodations for, including remote exams. Please do not arrange accommodations directly with your instructors.

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We know this email is long! This hybrid learning environment is complex. We have more things to tell you – and need more information from you – than usual.

Please skim through the email and read the sections that are relevant to you.

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HOW TO REQUEST ACCOMMODATIONS FOR FINAL EXAMS

Log into PAWS –> Go to the AES tab –> Click on the “Exam Service” channel –> Click on the “Final Exam” link –> Fill out the form(s)

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WHAT TO DO IF YOUR FINAL EXAM ISN’T LISTED

If your final exam does not show up when you use the final exam link, use the non-final exam link instead.

If your final exam does not show up in the “Final Exam” link, it is not in the University’s final exam schedule. This commonly happens with:

  • lab finals
  • any exam outside of the final exam period (such as on the last day of classes)
  • remote classes that are based at the Saskatoon campus but are classified as “off-campus site” courses

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IS YOUR EXAM REMOTE OR IN PERSON? AND OTHER NOTES FOR THE NOTEBOX

Anything that might impact where your exam will be written should be included in the notebox. We especially need to know:

  • Is the exam remote or in person?
  • If your exam is in person, are you allowed to bring your laptop?

Without this information, we might end up booking you into a space that is not suitable.

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CHANGING EXAM TIMES

  • AES only supports date and/or time changes for accommodation-related reasons. We will not support a time/date change for personal reasons such as work or family obligations.
  • If you need to change the date or time of an exam, you must talk to your instructor BEFORE you submit your request. This includes situations where students have accommodations such as “no morning exams.” Keep in mind that your instructor is the one who is managing exam times for remote exams, so it is crucial to have this discussion.

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EVENING EXAMS

  • We start most in-person evening exams early (usually 5pm) so that all students and staff can leave campus at a reasonable hour.
  • We are not involved in setting the times/timers for remote exams. If you have a remote evening exam, it’s crucial to talk to your instructor about your start time.

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SASKATOON-BASED CLASSES ONLY

AES only accommodates or assists with accommodations for classes that are based at the Saskatoon campus.

If the class is not based at the Saskatoon campus, contact the student services staff at the home campus to discuss your accommodation needs.

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ACCOMMODATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS

If you need to change an exam date or time for religious reasons, visit this link: https://students.usask.ca/academics/exams.php#ReschedulingExams

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CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR EXAM STATUS?

Are you concerned because your exams are sitting there with their status saying they are still in progress? There is really nothing to worry about. But, if you’re curious about how/when we change the status of your requests, check our blog at this URL: https://words.usask.ca/dss/2021/10/28/curious-about-the-status-on-your-exam-request/

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ARE YOU IN VET MED OR DENTISTRY?

The Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry arrange accommodations in-house. If you are in one of these colleges, this email does not apply to you.

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DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

Ask us! Since we’re mostly working remotely, it’s easiest to reach us by emailing this address: aesexams@usask.ca

Curious about the status on your exam request?

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As we work on your accommodations, we assign different statuses to your requests:

  • Submitted: Your request has been entered into our system
  • In Progress: We are working on getting everything in place for your exam
  • Scheduled: All arrangements for your exam are finalized
  • Cancelled: You have asked us to cancel your arrangements or the system is showing that you dropped the class

As long as we get your request by our deadlines, your accommodations are guaranteed. Don’t worry if the status sits at “In Progress” for a long time.

We change the status from “In Progress” to “Scheduled” as follows:

  • In-person exams: When we have your room and invigilator booked and have time to enter that information into our system.
    • For non-finals, this usually happens each Th/F for next week’s exams.
    • For finals, this normally happens by the last day of classes. However, our workload is very heavy in this hybrid environment. It may take a bit longer than usual this term. All information and updates will be added at least 2-3 days prior to your exam.
  • Remote exams: When we get the exam instructions from your instructor. We ask for these 10 days prior to your exam and send reminders as needed, right up to the day before the exam. In some cases, we will not get those instructions until the day before; sometimes we never get them at all. We try our best. In any case, your prof has been made aware of your request and should provide the timing accommodations regardless of whether they send us instructions.

QUESTIONS?

Ask us! Since we’re mostly working remotely, it’s easiest to reach us by emailing this address: aesexams@usask.ca

Young Leaders Program for people who are blind or partially sighted starts on October 22

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This is a reminder that our Young Leaders Program starts on Friday!

The Young Leaders Program is a career-oriented initiative that provides young people, aged 15-30 who are blind or partially sighted in Canada, with the tools they need to develop skills and pursue rewarding careers.

The Young Leaders Summit is taking place this weekend at the below times.

Friday, October 22, 6-8 pm ET

Saturday, October 23, 1:30-5 pm ET

Sunday, October 24, 12-2 pm ET

Sessions will include:

* Concert & Q&A with The Blind & the Beautiful

* Careers in the Arts Panel

* Keynote address with athlete Lowell Taylor

* Roundtables with the 2021 Co-chairs

* Healthy Living & Meal Planning with Shari Shaw

* and much more!

Every participant will also receive a $20 gift card!

Participants can register at https://fightblindness.ca/youngleaders/

AES Exam Program Deadlines

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Our deadlines never change! Please keep them in mind when making your requests for accommodations. Late requests cannot be accepted for any reason.

Fall/Winter

2 weeks before any non-final

March 19 is the last day to request ALL April exams

November 19 is the last day to request ALL December exams

Spring/Summer

1 week before any non-final

2 weeks before any final

  • To calculate the 1 or 2 week deadline, locate the date of the exam on a calendar. Look directly up by 1 or 2 weeks to locate the deadline date. If the exam is on a Tuesday, the deadline will also be on a Tuesday.

 

Scholarship available for students who have schizophrenia

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Through the “Yes 2 Me” Scholarship Program, the Otsuka-Lundbeck Alliance and
Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan are celebrating the efforts of young people
living with mental illness by rewarding them with an incentive to pursue their
educational goals and confidently build a better self for their bright future ahead.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:
• be a resident of Saskatchewan
• be diagnosed with Schizophrenia
• complete a Scholarship Application package

1 scholarship in the amount of $1000 will be awarded.

Application deadline is July 30/21.

For more details, please view the attachment.

Yes2Me Scholarship 2021-22

Survey: Engagement on the Disability Inclusion Action Plan

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The Government of Canada is engaging Canadians on how to improve the lives of Canadians with disabilities. Your feedback will support the development of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which will focus on:

• reducing poverty among persons with disabilities in Canada;
• getting more persons with disabilities into good quality jobs;
• helping meet the Accessible Canada Act goal of a barrier-free Canada by 2040;
• making it easier for persons with disabilities to access federal programs and services; and
• fostering a culture of inclusion.

We invite you to participate by completing the online survey here by August 31, 2021. You can also print and complete the attached survey by hand and mail it to the following address:

Disability Inclusion Action Plan
Employment and Social Development Canada
140 Promenade du Portage, Phase IV
Gatineau, QC
K1A 0J9

Or by email: accessible-canada@hrsdc.gc.ca

National survey re: communication accessibility for adults with hearing loss during the pandemic

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Trigger warning: After reflecting on my answers for the questionnaire, I felt a great deal of grief because my experience during the pandemic has been very different and very isolating as a person with hearing loss. Just a head’s up to be prepared if you take the survey yourself. ~ Jacki

The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) is pleased to announce a partnership with Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility, to gather information through a national survey on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has on the daily lives of people who are Deaf and hard of hearing.

 “The global pandemic has disrupted so many lives over this past year. We know that for Canadians who are Deaf or hard of hearing, vital information has been missed. The results of the survey will allow us to better understand how communications can be up-to-date and accessible, especially during critical times,” said Lee Pigeau CHHA National Executive Director.

 “Recent data has shown the profound impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people with disabilities around the globe. This national survey will enable us to better understand the unique experiences of Canadians who are Deaf and hard of hearing and how COVID-19 has impacted our communities in the areas of communication accessibility,” says Christopher T. Sutton, CEO of Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility. “The results will enable us to make systematic changes to better serve the needs of our communities throughout the recovery stage of this pandemic and in the future.”

Link to the National Survey https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bISOpqdEZs6ensx

Who should complete the online survey: Adults who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Purpose of the survey: To collect information on the impact the pandemic has had on the daily lives of people who experience hearing loss and deafness. This information will help us better understand how the pandemic has been experienced and also how information about the virus and disease can best be delivered to the public.

This national survey is part of a larger partnership between the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association and Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility. This work will assist our organizations in better understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our communities and the barriers experienced by people who are Deaf and hard of hearing.

A webinar to provide an overview of the survey results is scheduled in May 2021.

About Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility

Established in 1956, Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility is a BC based, charitable non-profit organization that operates as a social enterprise. Wavefront Centre delivers innovative services in Audiology and Communication Devices, Counselling, Seniors Outreach, and Accessible Communication Services that assist people who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing achieve full communication accessibility.

About the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association

The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) was established in 1982 and is Canada’s leading consumer advocacy organization representing the needs of the nearly 4-million people living with hearing loss. With a network across Canada, CHHA works cooperatively with hearing loss professionals, service providers, government and provides life-enhancing information, support, and advocacy to ensure people with hearing loss are able to overcome barriers in all aspects of their lives.

 Media Contacts: For interviews or additional information

 Yat Li, Head of Communications & Marketing Wavefront Centre for Communication

Accessibility 604.736.7391

E-mail: yat.li@wavefrontcentre.ca

Gordana Mosher Manager, Accessibility Projects & Communications

Canadian Hard of Hearing Association

613.526.1584 ext.103 Mobile 905-572-3923

E-mail: gmosher@chha.ca

March 29 – National Action Plan to Address Gender-Based Violence: SFCC-DAWN-NEADS Students with Disabilities Consultation Registration

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Hello all!

We’re writing to our networks to ask for your input! Students For Consent Consent Culture (SFCC( is participating in the late stages of consultation for the National Action Plan to Address Gender Based Violence, under the Department of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) of the Federal Government.

SFCC recognises that women, girls and non-binary people with disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing gender-based and other forms of violence.  To ensure that the experiences of students living with disabilities are reflected in the National Action Plan on gender-based violence we are holding this consultation to specifically centre the voices of students living with disabilities. As such, we are collaborating with the Disabled Women’s Network Canada (DAWN) and The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) to facilitate a public consultation, March 29th, 10am PST / 11am MST / 12pm CST / 1pm EST / 2pm AST / 2:30pm NST for students living with disabilities.

Registration for the event and the Zoom link can be found here: https://forms.gle/kxjKB1vnxHZVH1dp9

The focus of this consultation will be on the federal government’s proposed National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence. Come share with SFCC, DAWN and NEADS as we create recommendations for Canada’s National Action Plan to address gender-based violence! Join us on Monday, March 29th at 1pm EST / 10am PST for a public consultation session for students living with disabilities. The Zoom event will include live closed captioning and ASL interpretation. We know that conversations around gender based violence can be difficult and for this reason there will be someone acting as a support-person in a breakout room if you find yourself wanting emotional support. Please feel free to contact us about other accessibility needs at consultation@sfcccanada.org.

We are offering an honorarium of $50.00 to everyone who participates in the public consultation.

Feel free to contact us at consultation@sfcccanada.org if:

You’d like to participate in other ways, such as writing your thoughts or completing a survey.

About other accessibility needs.

Additionally, due to our short timeline, this event will be hosted in English. Please let us know via email if you would like to participate in French.

 Warmth & solidarity,

The SFCC Team

https://www.neads.ca/en/about/media/index.php?id=1101

Spiritual Support During Difficult Times – A WebEx Conversation on March 25

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Join us for Conversations with Usask!

Spiritual Support During Difficult Times

Spirituality is different for everyone. For many, spirituality takes the form of religious ceremony, prayer, meditation or a belief in a higher power. For others, it can be found in nature, music, art or a community. Join our conversation as we talk about what spirituality means to us and how our spirituality can help us through difficult times?

Special guests:

Dr. Nawal Sharma, Hindu Faith Leader

Dr. Fatima Coovadia, Sunni Muslim Faith Leader

George Hind, Lutheran Faith Leader

Joseph Naytowhow, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper

Thursday, March 25th

12pm to 1pm (CST)

WebEx link: https://usask.webex.com/usask/j.php?MTID=me74c3dbb8a8588727f44cac6c1765376

Meeting Number: 145 931 8003