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ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITIES (APSD)ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITIES (APSD)PURPOSEThe APSD is designed to supplement the CSG-PDSE program for those students with disabilities inpost-secondary education programs that have exhausted their CSG-PDSE funding in a program year.The APSD also provides access to exceptional education-related services and/or equipment to studentswith disabilities taking non post-secondary education programs (ABE, ESL, ASE) at a designated public orprivate post-secondary institution.APSD funds can be used for all CSG-PDSE eligible services and equipment (with the exception of theLearning Disability Assessment Reimbursement) identified in Table 1.FUNDING INFORMATIONThe APSD is a block funded program from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training and isadministered by public post-secondary institutions. Eligible students can receive up to 10,000 ( 12,000for attendant care) in grant funding for each program year that the student is enrolled in an eligiblepost-secondary and / or non post-secondary program.ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Students in post-secondary programs who are eligible for the CSG-PDSE are eligible for the APSDonce they have exhausted their CSG-PDSE funding in a program year; Students in non post-secondary programs can access APSD funding by applying to theirrespective public post-secondary institution. The non post-secondary APSD application form isavailable online at: https://studentaidbc.ca/institution-officials. Students in non post-secondary education programs must demonstrate financial need bycompleting the income section of the APSD application form. Eligibility for funding is assessedusing a standard income threshold table based on the student’s family size, and outlines themedical documentation required to verify a student’s permanent disability; The adjudication of medical documentation and financial need assessment are reviewed byofficials at the post-secondary institution administering the APSD program; Students with accessibility challenges attending private designated post-secondary institutionsin B.C. can also access APSD funding by having their private post-secondary institution staffforward an email to [email protected] providing the student’s name andStudentAid BC application number; and, The requested assistive equipment and/or services must be described and supported in anattached CSG-PDSE Service Request Form.ADMINISTRATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS On August 31st of each year, public post-secondary institutions are required to reportinformation on annual APSD use to the SABC Program Planning Unit. The report includesinformation on student identification, service and/or equipment type and expenditures.Reporting packages are sent out in June.Please note that students engaged in post-secondary programs that include somenon post-secondary (ABE, ESL, ASE) courses can utilize CSG-PDSE funding for non post-secondarycourses.StudentAid BC Accessibility Program User Guide6

LEARNING CCESSBILITY ASSESSMENT BURSARY (LDAB) - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – SABC CONTACT INFORMATIONLEARNING DISABILITY ASSESSMENT BURSARY (LDAB)PURPOSEThe LDAB is a Province of British Columbia financial bursary designed to assist students with no, oroutdated Learning Disability (Psycho-educational) Assessments access a current Learning DisabilityAssessment for the purposes of qualifying for accessibility-related StudentAid BC and institutionsupports.The LDAB is not intended for students who are already eligible for SABC accessibility related supportprograms.FUNDING INFORMATIONThe LDAB is a block funded program from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training andadministered by public post-secondary institutions. Students can receive a one-time bursary of up to 1,800 towards the up-front cost of a learning disability assessment.ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Eligibility for the LDAB is assessed based on the Learning Disability Screening Tool:https://studentaidbc.ca/institution-officials and on the recommendation of the AccessibilityCoordinator at the respective public post-secondary institution. Applicants must:o Be a full or part-time student at a B.C. public post-secondary institution enrolled in a postsecondary program;o Demonstrate financial need through the Student Financial Assistance (student loans)application process;o Not be in default of a BC Student Loan; and,o Not have already qualified as a student with a disability with SABC. Students make application for the LDAB through the Accessibility Centre at their respective publicpost-secondary institution. The BC LDAB Application form for internal institution use is available at:https://studentaidbc.ca/institution-officials. Accessibility Coordinators should ensure that the Learning Disability Screening Tool is applied whenscreening potential candidates for the LDAB, especially in situations where there is no previoushistory or documentation of a learning disability being present; The Accessibility Coordinator can recommend either approval or denial of funding based on theeligibility requirements, the results of the screening tool or their assessment of the applicant; Accessibility Coordinators should ensure that the applicant signs both the Application FormDeclaration (Section 2) and the Undertaking and Assignment (Section 3) (see COVID-19 section foradditional information); The Undertaking and Assignment outlines the commitment by the student to apply for the LearningDisability Assessment Reimbursement through the CSG-PDSE and return any reimbursementamount (up to 1,800) back to the institution. Students should only apply for the Learning DisabilityAssessment Reimbursement when the results of the learning disability assessment indicate adiagnosis of a learning disability; If the Learning Disability Assessment results in a diagnosis of a disability other than a LearningDisability (e.g. Attention Deficit Disorder, etc.), the assessment can be submitted along with anAppendix 8 to verify the student’s permanent disability status and to confirm eligibility for CSFAStudentAid BC Accessibility Program User Guide7

LEARNING CCESSBILITY ASSESSMENT BURSARY (LDAB) - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – SABC CONTACT INFORMATIONProgram and SABC accessibility related programs, with the exception of the Learning DisabilityAssessment Reimbursement component of the CSG-PDSE;ADMINISTRATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS All Learning Disability Assessment Reimbursements the institution applies for through theCSGP-PDSE program and are approved and received, should be placed into the institution’s LDABaccount for future use; Public post-secondary institutions in B.C. are provided with annual funding by SABC. Eachinstitution’s annual funding disbursement is up to 10,000 depending upon the previous year’sreported program expenditures and CSG-PDSE Learning Disability Reimbursements received; and, On August 31st of each year, public post-secondary institutions are required to report information onannual LDAB use to SABC. The reports include information on student identification, study period,assessment cost, etc.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSQ: Where do I find SABC forms?A: Forms for student use can be found here:https://studentaidbc.ca/form-libraryForms for the institutions use can be found Q: Does SABC issue T4A tax forms to students?A: T4A’s for all grant programs are issued by the SABC Directed Programs Unit. APSD blocked fundedT4A’s will be issued by the school. T4A’s will be issued to clients who receive funds from thefollowing programs: BC Access Grant for Student with Permanent Disability BC Access Grant for Deaf Students Canada Student Grants for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities Assistance Programs for Students with Disability for Private InstitutionsQ: What happens if a cheque is lost or missing?A: Cheques will stale date 6-months after the date of issue. If a cheque is lost, missing, or stale dated,please contact [email protected] CONTACT INFORMATIONFor any questions or inquiries regarding SABC-PD programs or services, please email:dpu.student[email protected] BC Accessibility Program User Guide8

TABLE 1: APPROVED SERVICES FOR THE CSG-PDSE GRANT AND APSD PROGRAMTABLE 1: APPROVED SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE CSG-PDSE GRANT ANDAPSD PROGRAMNote: Student Aid BC officers have discretion, on a case-by-case basis, to establish maximum admissiblecosts for education related services and equipment that related to a student’s permanent disability andto circumstances.Exceptions to the identified costs must be accommodated by a written rational from a qualified assessorand will be reviewed on an individual basis.ELIGIBLE SERVICESSERVICESpecialized TutorCOSTUp to amaximum of 40 per hour.FREQUENCY OFENTITLEMENTA base of 2 hoursper week per courseor as otherwiserecommended by astudent’s assessor orAccessibilityCoordinator at theschool.The cost depends onthe course subject,the level ofspecializedknowledge requiredto address cognitivebarriers, type ofdisability, and thequalifications of thespecialized tutor.NOTESCosts of either in-person or onlinetutoring are eligible for funding.Specialized tutors should only beapproved for courses in which astudent has a demonstrateddisability.For example, a student with alearning disability in math should notbe approved funding for a specializedtutor for courses other than math.Students who require(1) an increase in specialized tutoringhours, or(2) a specialized tutor for courses thatthey do not have a demonstrateddisability in, are required to providedadditional medical or specialist (e.g.,disability assessor or coordinator)documents noting the reasons for thechanges and how the specializedtutor is helping with their disability.A portion of the funding provided forspecialized tutors can be allocated toadministration fees only if those feesStudentAid BC Accessibility Program User Guide9

TABLE 1: APPROVED SERVICES FOR THE CSG-PDSE GRANT AND APSD PROGRAMare specific to the provision of theservice (e.g., hiring and training oftutors, matching of tutors tostudents, etc.).Note TakingUp to amaximum of 500 percourse.For service providers who take classnotes for students with disabilitiesand who are not otherwise enrolledin the class.If an individual provides support asboth a tutor and a note taker, theymay charge two separate fees.Note sharingUp to amaximum of 250 percourse or 500 perlicense,whichever isless.For students who share legible noteswith the applicant for classes in whichthey are both enrolled.ReaderUp to amaximum of 20 per hour.If reading technology is not available,students with low vision or learningdisabilities may be approved fundingfor reading services for educationalmaterial.If an individual provides support asboth a tutor or note-taker and areader, they may charge two separatefees.Typist /TranscriptionistUp to amaximum of 30 per hour.Interpreter /Up to aStudentAid BC Accessibility Program User GuideTwo hours per weekper course creditProvides a service for students withfunctional impairment in typing theircoursework, for example in thesis orextended writing-based projects.For example, American Sign Language10

TABLE 1: APPROVED SERVICES FOR THE CSG-PDSE GRANT AND APSD PROGRAMcaptioning / oral signlanguage / deaf-blindintervenor / audiodescriptor / RemoteCommunicationAccess Real-TimeTranslationmaximum of 140 perhour.Educationalattendant careUp to amaximum of 60 per hour.(ASL).Number of hours willvary according to therecommendation ofthe assessor.Funding is intended to pay forattendant care while at school (foreducation-related activities) only.Attendant care providers primarilyprovide physical assistance tostudents (e.g., help navigatingclassrooms or using lab equipment).Attendant care providers must befully certified according to theirprovincial/territorial regulatory body.If an individual provides support asboth a tutor/reader/note-taker andan educational attendant, additionalrates may be considered.Orientation andMobility Specialist(O&M)Up to amaximum of 100 perhour.Up to 10 hours persemester.An O&M specialist provides trainingdesigned to develop or relearn theskills and concepts a blind or visuallyimpaired persons needs to travelsafely and independently throughtheir environment.The required hours per semester mayvary significantly depending on thesize and complexity of institutioncampus, or the need to accessmultiple campuses. Requests inexcess of the identified maximum (10hours per semester) should beaccompanied by additionalinformation and rationale for theincrease.StudentAid BC Accessibility Program User Guide11

TABLE 1: APPROVED SERVICES FOR THE CSG-PDSE GRANT AND APSD PROGRAMO&M specialists must be fullycertified according to theirprovincial/regulatory body. TheCanadian Institute for the Blind islikely the best source of standards forcredentials.However, if the applicant’sinstitution provides an O&Mspecialist additional reimbursementshould not be provided.BehaviouralInterventionistUp to amaximum of 60 per hour.Number of hours willvary according to therecommendation ofthe assessor.Funding is intended to pay forbehaviour intervention for educationrelated activities.Interventionists must be fullycertified according to their provincialbody.If an individual provides support asboth a tutor/reader/note-taker and abehavioural interventionist,additional rates may be considered.Alternative Formats E-Text Large Print orBraille Taped lectures(if availablethrough theschool)Costs varydependingupon serviceprovider andformat used.Once from initialprint format.Some schools cover the costs ofalternative formats as part of theirduty to accommodate.If, however, a student’s school doesnot cover these costs, funding shouldbe approved. Textbooks are scannedinto electronic format (e-text) forreading. The e-text can also beconverted into digital audio files forlistening.For reading difficulties, the mostpopular programs used are Kurzweil,Wynn, TextHelp, and Read: Out Loud.For visual impairments, the mostpopular programs are JAWS, WindowEyes, Zoomtext, and Kurzweil.Institutions may charge to haveStudentAid BC Accessibility Program User Guide12

TABLE 1: APPROVED SERVICES FOR THE CSG-PDSE GRANT AND APSD PROGRAMtextbooks scanned into the requiredfile format for students to use ontheir computers and/or digital mediaplayers.Irlen’s tinting 500One time.For students with Iren’s Syndrome/Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome.Maximum admissible cost includesshipping from the United States,where tinting process takes place.SpecializedtransportationPrices varydepending onlocation,serviceprovider’sschedule, andavailability.Transport to theschool address fromthe student’s placeof residence only.Additional stops, such as forinternships and co-op workplacements, can be considered ifsufficient rationale is provided. Thesestops must be directly related tofulfilling requirements of thestudent’s post-secondary program ofstudyAcademic strategysessions 25 to 85per hour, upto amaximum of 1,350 perterm.A base of 10 hoursper term or asotherwiserecommended by astudent’s assessor orAccessibilityCoordinator at theschool.This service would be for studentswith learning disabilities, ADHD,and/or other mental healthdisabilities. ADHD coaching is adifferent service and is not eligible forfunding.Funding should only be provided ifthe student’s school does not provideacademic strategists.It is recommended that the serviceprovider’s credentials include ateaching degree in special education.Students who require an increase inacademic strategist hours arerequired to provide additionalmedical or specialist (e.g., disabilityassessor or coordinator) documentsnoting the reasons for this need andhow the academic strategist isStudentAid BC Accessibility Program User Guide13

TABLE 1: APPROVED SERVICES FOR THE CSG-PDSE GRANT AND APSD PROGRAMhelping with their disability in thepost-secondary environment.Group strategy sessions may beapproved if specific rationale isprovided as to how the session willaddress the student’s identifiedfunctional limitation (e.g., timemanagement, exam preparation).Academic strategists determine andimplement appropriate academicaccommodations and help studentsdevelop key study skills (organizationand note-taking, memory, vocationaldirection, interpersonal dynamics,and time management) to promoteacademic success.Psycho-educationalassessment100% of theassessmentcost, up to amaximum of 3,500.Only students with learningdisabilities are required to provide apsycho-educational assessment asproof of their permanent disability.Only students with a confirmedLearning Disability are eligible forreimbursement for the cost of theassessment.StudentAid BC Accessibility Program User Guide14

TABLE 1: APPROVED SERVICES FOR THE CSG-PDSE GRANT AND APSD PROGRAMELIGIBLE EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENTCATEGORYComplete computersystems, includingperipheral devices(keyboard, mouse,headsets, draw

StudentAid BC (SABC) administers the integrated British Columbia and Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (CSFA Program) which provides joint provincial/federal loans and grants to British olumbia’s full and part-time post-secondary students.