About Us

Accessibility for persons with disabilities has long been a cornerstone of the philosophy of Saint Mary's University. For over thirty years Saint Mary's has played a leadership role in ensuring that higher education is accessible. In 1968, the university constructed a residence with accommodations specifically designed for students with mobility impairments. In 1975, a tape library was established to serve students with visual impairments at the post secondary level. Initiatives to accommodate students who are deaf or hard of hearing began in 1980. In 1985 the Atlantic Centre, under the directorship of Dr. David Leitch, became a reality.

Today, more than 350 students rely on the Centre for a wide variety of services. Although the majority of these students attend Saint Mary's University, the Atlantic Centre helps clients throughout the province of Nova Scotia. The Centre has developed an international reputation as a leader in providing support services for students with disabilities at the post-secondary level. The Atlantic Centre was one of three centres of specialization in Canada supported by the Federal Government to enhance the full participation of citizens with disabilities in higher education.

The Atlantic Centre offers several unique programs and individualized support services to our clients including:

• individual & group self-advocacy development
• ASL / English Interpreting
• academic support
• note taking, via a volunteer program
• facilitate exam accommodations, invigilation and alternate format preparation
• assistive technology assessment and training
• Ferguson Library (texts on tape or electronic format)
• text book scanning/editing
• assistance in accessing funding
• advocacy support
• university orientation and High School transition sessions
• resource centre to students and staff
• research
• faculty presentations / teacher in-services / student workshops
• facilitating access to campus & community services through advocacy, self-advocacy training, & referral.

Our mandate also includes increasing awareness of university opportunities for prospective students. We offer a visitation program to every high school in the province of Nova Scotia, and have spoken to provincial school boards about transition issues and technology. We also act as a resource base for other regional universities, providing consultation regarding students and programs.

This page last modified Tuesday, 30-Aug-2011 13:58:18 ADT