Inclusive Post-Secondary Education

For more than 30 years, Inclusion Alberta has partnered with post-secondary institutions to create inclusive classrooms and campuses.

Alberta has more post-secondary institutions providing fully inclusive post-secondary opportunities for students with developmental disabilities than any other jurisdiction in the world. Inclusion Alberta has been partnering with post-secondary institutions across the province for more than 30 years to include students with developmental disabilities to participate in regular programs of study and campus life.

Currently there are more than 20 post-secondary institutions that include students with developmental disabilities in pursuit of higher education whilst achieving their dreams and goals.

Students with developmental disabilities attend post-secondary for the same reasons as other post-secondary students:

• further their education
• meet new people and develop friendships/relationships
• develop and pursue career opportunities
• contribute to and benefit from campus life and associations

Students audit programs of study to pursue individualized learning goals related to regular course content and complete modified course assignments and write modified exams to demonstrate what they have learned. Students receive a certificate of recognition to acknowledge their hard work, accomplishments, and commitment to their learning at the completion of their program. Students do not receive credits or the associated credentials (degrees, diplomas, certificates, etc.), as they are not taking the program of study for credit. However, students develop new skills; gain new knowledge; and have valuable learning experiences related to their career ambitions. Students completing their studies participate in convocation where they are acknowledged by the post-secondary institution. On average, employment outcomes for students completing their studies is between 70-80%.

Eligibility

Interested in applying for post-secondary studies with our support? Inclusive post-secondary education is open to any individual who is PDD eligible. Please do not think your family member might be excluded from this possibility based on the complexity of their disability. Inclusion Alberta is committed to ensuring these opportunities are available to all. We truly believe that everyone is able to learn.

As required by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, everyone who receives support for inclusive post-secondary education must be approved as eligible for PDD funding. If you are unsure what this means, please review the eligibility details or contact PDD.

Please note, tuition is not covered by PDD Funding. Tuition is the responsibility of each student. Students should budget roughly $2000/year for tuition, textbooks, and associational fees. If this is a barrier for you or your family, please contact Inclusion Alberta for discussing payment options.

For more information, please contact:
Charmaine McIntyre, Executive Director, Community Initiatives
cmcintyre@inclusionalberta.org | 403-835-7559

Shawna Francis, Provincial Director, Inclusive Post-Secondary Initiatives
sfrancis@inclusionalberta.org | 780-717-1149