Accessibility and Academic Accommodations Policy

The purpose of this policy is to guide the MPAS program in supporting learners who experience barriers to education by facilitating timely and reasonable academic accommodations. This policy aligns with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code and University of Saskatchewan Academic Accommodation and Access for Students with Disabilities Policy and affirms the MPAS program’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free learning environment.

The MPAS program recognizes that students may require accommodations based on documented disabilities and other protected grounds, and is committed to supporting student success while upholding the academic and professional standards of the program.

• The MPAS program will work in partnership with Access and Equity Services (AES) to ensure learners facing educational barriers are appropriately supported through reasonable academic accommodations.
• Accommodations may be made on the basis of a protected ground, including disability, religion, family status, gender identity, or other grounds under the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.
• The program recognizes the duty to accommodate and the duty to inquire when a student’s observed performance suggests that additional support may be required.
• Accommodations must not compromise academic integrity, professionalism, or patient safety. All students must meet the Key Competencies and Essential Skills established by the MPAS program, with or without accommodations.
• Accommodation is a shared responsibility between the learner, the MPAS program, AES, and, where applicable, clinical partners. The process is collaborative, respectful, and guided by fairness and confidentiality.
• Information related to a student’s diagnosis or condition will not be shared without the student’s express consent. Accommodation plans may be shared on a need-to-know basis with individuals directly involved in implementation.
• This policy will be reviewed annually during the first three years of program delivery and biannually thereafter by the Academic Affairs Committee in consultation with AES.

• Academic accommodations refer to reasonable adjustments to learning activities, assessments, or learning environments that support equitable access for students protected under the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.
• Barriers to education may arise from documented disabilities (learning, mental health, or physical), religious observances, gender identity, family status, or other protected grounds.
• Disabilities are those defined as such in Section 2(1)(d.1) of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.‘
  Disability means: (i) any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes: (A) epilepsy; (B) any degree of paralysis; (C) amputation; (D) lack of physical co-ordination; (E) blindness or visual impediment; (F) deafness or hearing impediment; (G) muteness or speech impediment; or (H) physical reliance on a service animal, wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device; or (ii) any of: (A) an intellectual disability or impairment; (B) a learning disability or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in the comprehension or use of symbols or spoken language; or (C) a mental disorder’. Any condition recognized under the Code that may result in educational barriers.

• Essential skills and competencies refer to the core abilities defined in the MPAS Key Competencies and Essential Skills document, which all students are expected to meet to progress and graduate from the program.
• Access and Equity Services (AES) is the University of Saskatchewan office responsible for determining and coordinating academic accommodations for students.

This policy applies to all individuals who may experience educational barriers and who:

• Are considering applying to the MPAS program
• Have applied to the MPAS program
• Have been accepted into the MPAS program
• Are currently enrolled in the MPAS program

Students are encouraged to register with AES as early as possible. Early disclosure ensures adequate time for feasibility review, accommodation planning, and timely implementation.

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program is committed to supporting students who experience barriers to their education through reasonable academic accommodations, in alignment with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code and University of Saskatchewan policies.

Students are entitled to accommodations that support their ability to meet the Key Competencies and Essential Skills required by the MPAS program, provided that such accommodations do not compromise academic or professional standards or patient safety.

The MPAS program will make every effort to implement accommodations that are feasible and appropriate, up to the point of undue hardship. The assessment of undue hardship is made on a case-by-case basis, and may take into account the following factors:

• The nature of the requested accommodation;
• Patient health and safety;
• Impact on other learners, instructors, or clinical partners;
• Feasibility within the context of available program and clinical resources;
• Disruption to curriculum or clinical operations;
• Costs associated with implementation;
• Potential impact on academic integrity or essential competencies.

A reasonable accommodation must not:

• Lower academic or professional standards;
• Require other students, faculty, or preceptors to absorb clinical, academic, or team responsibilities;
• Substitute for cognitive functions, decision-making, or clinical judgment;
• Undermine the learning experience or progression of others.

The MPAS program works in collaboration with Access and Equity Services (AES) and the Accommodations Planning Working Group, which is responsible for exploring, reviewing, and supporting the implementation of accommodations that uphold both student success and the integrity of the program.

Where a student is unable to meet the program’s academic or professional requirements despite the implementation of reasonable accommodations to the point of undue hardship, academic progression decisions will be made in accordance with the Academic Expectations, Advancement and Promotions Policy.

Students

• Are responsible for self-identifying and registering with Access and Equity Services (AES) in a timely manner, particularly in advance of clinical placements or major assessments.
• Must participate actively in the accommodation planning process, including working with the Accommodations Planning Working Group.
• Must provide the necessary documentation through AES and meet all associated deadlines.
• Are expected to communicate openly and collaborate in the planning and implementation of their accommodation plan.

Access and Equity Services (AES)

• Reviews documentation and determines the eligibility and scope of reasonable accommodations under the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.
• Issues formal accommodation letters to be shared with the MPAS program.
• Provides guidance and expertise on the implementation of accommodations and accessibility best practices.

MPAS Program (Academic Director)

• Ensures approved accommodations are implemented in collaboration with AES and the student.
• Maintains confidentiality, limiting disclosure to a need-to-know basis for implementation purposes only.
• Refers complex cases or questions about feasibility to the Accommodations Planning Working Group.
• Ensures that all accommodations are aligned with the Key Competencies and Essential Skills, and do not compromise academic integrity or learner safety.

Accommodations Planning Working Group

• Serves as the central body responsible for reviewing, supporting, and overseeing the implementation of accommodations in the MPAS program.
• Assesses the feasibility of accommodations in specific academic or clinical contexts.
• Engages in collaborative decision-making with the student and program leadership to ensure that accommodations are reasonable and uphold program standards.
• Provides recommendations for implementation and monitors accommodation plans as needed.

Students are expected to engage with the accommodation process in a timely and proactive manner. If a student does not disclose the need for accommodation in advance of an exam, assessment, or clinical placement, they may not request retroactive application of accommodations for that activity. Accommodations cannot be applied to prior evaluations or learning experiences where no accommodation plan was in place at the time.

Failure to register with Access and Equity Services (AES) or to participate in the accommodation planning process may result in delays or limitations in the supports available. Students are responsible for submitting documentation and working collaboratively with AES and the MPAS program to ensure appropriate supports are in place.

If concerns arise regarding the implementation or interpretation of this policy, they should be brought to the Academic Director for review.

Procedures for Accessibility and Academic Accommodations

Program Manager, Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Program
Phone: 306-966-4252