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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Increased Funding

Province taking steps to help more students with disabilities

Jan 23, 2023 | 5:08 PM

The Alberta government says an additional 5,200 students will receive disability funding with new changes to the Grant for Students with Disabilities.

Government officials acknowledge that persons with disabilities face some of the highest costs and most significant barriers to accessing and completing a post-secondary program. They also face numerous challenges entering the workforce and maintaining stable employment after graduation.

That’s why Alberta’s government says it is expanding supports for students with disabilities to include those with persistent or prolonged disabilities. This change is expected to bring the total number of Albertans receiving these financial supports to more than 11,000 each year, ensuring they can access the funding they need to complete their studies and lead successful careers.

“Our government continues to take steps to make post-secondary education more accessible and affordable so that all Albertans can learn the skills they need to succeed. By increasing access to disability supports, we are ensuring vulnerable Albertans have the supports they need to pursue higher education and find rewarding careers,” says Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education.

“Post-secondary education in Alberta creates opportunities for success and prosperity. Our government is focused on helping those living with disabilities find that same success through increased accessibility to funding for higher education. Success found through post-secondary education can bring a lifetime of achievement, which is why we will continue to ensure opportunities are made affordable and accessible for all,” adds Jeremy Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services.

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“Having heard from numerous students with disabilities on the challenges they face in accessing funding, we are pleased to see this expansion of support. This will undoubtedly strengthen broader accessibility efforts and help ensure that students with disabilities receive the support they need,” shares Samantha Scott, chair, Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS).

Alberta’s government says it continues to take steps to make post-secondary education more accessible and affordable so that all Albertans can learn the skills they need to secure Alberta’s future.

Officials say these changes are hoped to strengthen Alberta’s student aid programming and help make the post-secondary system more accessible, a key aspect of the Alberta 2030 initiative. These changes are also said to support two Alberta 2030 flagship initiatives:

• Increase need-based financial aid to ensure Albertans have the financial support they need to pursue post-secondary programming.
• Expand availability of needs-based grants through Alberta Student Aid.

Alberta NDP Community and Social Services Critic Marie Renaud and Advanced Education Critic David Eggen made the following statement in response to expanded eligibility for the Grant for Students with Disabilities:

“Allowing more young people to access the Grant for Students with Disabilities is a small step in allowing greater access to post-secondary,” Renaud said. “Unfortunately, it is difficult to see the results of some of these programs, as the government has poor metrics to track what happens following graduation.

“Many of these students are the same people struggling to find employment, accessible and affordable housing, and to pay their bills. Disabled Albertans are accessing food banks in huge numbers, and unless the students are also on AISH, have children, or are over the age of 65, they don’t qualify for the government’s incompetent attempt at affordability payments.

“Persons with disabilities deserve better than a government that makes massive cuts, then requests a pat on the back for a small expansion to a program.”

“Students and post-secondary institutions are suffering from the $690 million worth of cuts the UCP have imposed on post-secondary schools,” said Eggen. “It has led to skyrocketing tuition at a time when many students are struggling just to get by.

“This government has created more and more barriers for young Albertans who want access to further education and career training, and this is a drop in the bucket when looking at how best to help them.

“The Alberta NDP would work to make post-secondary accessible for all Albertans.”