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UCN Takes Issue with BFM Posting

Sep 18, 2013

UCN Takes Issue with BFM Posting But Takes 2 Months to Update Needed Information on How To Access Disability Supports

Today's online edition of Thompson Citizen includes an article that discuses the new arrangements that have been made to provide accessibility supports to students with disabilities now that the institution has closed its Student Accessibility Services Office.

BFM had expressed serious concern on June 26 about the closure of the office given emerging best practices at post-secondary institutions.

BFM ws not alone is expressing serious concern. This issue was also covered in a Free Press article on June 29 in which the former senior staff person who had been responsible for coordinating these services stated that "We are the biggest institution in the north -- we are going backwards,"It's very sad this is happening." The article also included comment from Advanced Education Minister Erin Selby and the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities. The issue was also raised in question period in the Legislative Assembly on July 10.

Of course, the proof is in the putting. Let's all hope that the new arrangements improve on the services that UCN provides and that UCN is tracking this so that it can do proper evaluation.

And it is a little troubling that UCN left it it after until August 29 to update the UCN website with details for students on how to access these supports. This comment is based on the last paragraph in the online story:

"The accessibility page has been updated since Aug. 29, when the information contained in the Sept. 11 article was gathered. At that time, there was no mention of the Student Accessibility Service co-ordinators, nor were there phone numbers provided for Emerald McKay and Leone Klyne, who occupy those positions at the Thompson and The Pas campuses, respectively."

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