Accommodations
PROGRAM ACCOMMODATIONS
Pursuant to the University of Alberta’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Duty to Accommodate Policy and Duty to Accommodate Procedure, the University’s Academic Success Centre (ASC), under the Vice Provost and Dean of Students portfolio, is responsible for assessing and providing for all student accommodations, including accommodations for PGME Trainees.
Requesting Accommodations
Trainees who want to request accommodations must:
- Notify their Program Director with their request for accommodation; and
- Contact the University of Alberta’s Academic Success Centre (ASC) and follow ASC’s process for requesting accommodation.
Confirmation of Accommodation Plans
The Program and Program Director (with guidance from the PGME Associate Dean) will work with the ASC-assigned Advisor to determine appropriate accommodations and confirm the accommodation plan, which must not lower the academic and non-academic training requirements and not impose undue hardship on the University of Alberta or the relevant health authority. If the accommodations intersect or interrelate to accommodations in the workplace, the Program Director and PGME Associate Dean will consult with the relevant health authority on the viability of the proposed accommodation plan.
AHS WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS
If trainees require accommodations that involve changes, access, equipment, etc. to the workplace, they must also go through AHS Academic Medicine.
Examples of where accommodations would only go through the AHS Workplace Accommodation process may include but are not limited to: ergonomic assessment, lactation room access/services, prayer space, etc.
Lactation Room Access/Services
PGME does not disclose the full lactation room list and access information. A trainee needing accommodation for lactation room access/services must submit a formal request for accommodation directly to AHS Academic Medicine. Here are the steps to request this type of accommodation:
- Complete the AHS Accommodation Request Form.
- Submit the AHS Accommodation Request Form to EDM.AcademicMedicine@ahs.ca
Trainees should submit the completed form at least 2-3 weeks in advance of needing accommodation for lactation rooms. AHS will then coordinate with the applicable facilities. Because there are often multiple requests at the same time, advanced notice helps the facility coordinators to best organize/schedule trainees who require the use of the rooms. Specific access may also need to be provided (code/swipe card).
Where space-specific problems are encountered (e.g. the room was unavailable, the code did not work, etc.) then the trainee should contact the AHS Academic Medicine at EDM.AcademicMedicine@ahs.ca.
If any other problems are encountered (e.g. the room remained inaccessible despite reaching out to AHS Academic Medicine, the program or faculty supervisor would not give time away from service to breastfeed/pump, etc.) then the trainee can contact the Office of Advocacy & Wellbeing (OAW) at oawadmin@ualberta.ca for additional support.
The Office of Advocacy & Wellbeing can help!
Trainees can also connect with the Office of Advocacy and Wellbeing (OAW) via email at oawadmin@ualberta.ca for support throughout either the ASC or AHS Workplace Accommodation processes.