Mission, Mandate, and Philosophy
The Paul Menton Centre exists to foster equal access to the university experience for students with disabilities while maintaining academic standards through provision of academic accommodations and support services, in partnership with the Carleton community.
Read PMC’s full Mission, Mandate and Philosophy for information about how this applies and is enacted.
Duty to Accommodate
Carleton University has earned a reputation as a leader in the provision of academic accommodations and services for students with disabilities. Academic accommodation refers to educational practices, systems and support mechanisms designed to accommodate functional challenges posed by an individual’s disability. The purpose of accommodation is to allow students to perform the essential requirements of their courses or programs. At no time does academic accommodation undermine or compromise the learning objectives that are established by the academic authorities of the University.
All members of the Carleton University community have a human rights obligation to accommodate students with disabilities whose needs have been duly assessed and approved by the Paul Menton Centre.
Students with disabilities are responsible for identifying their needs for disability-related accommodation to the Paul Menton Centre by booking an intake appointment with a PMC Coordinator, and bringing appropriate documentation to the first meeting.
Students requiring considerations due to pregnancy or religious reasons should contact Carleton’s Equity Office.
Policies and Processes
The most up-to-date web versions of Carleton policies and procedures, including those related to accommodations for students with disabilities, are available via the Carleton University Secretariat’s University Policies webpage.
These policies include, but are not limited-to:
- Accommodation Policy
- Academic Accommodation Appeal Process for Students with Disabilities
Standards of Practice
The Paul Menton Centre (PMC) developed Standards of Practice to inform and guide practices and decision-making related to provision of academic accommodations and support services. The Standards were developed, and are continuously updated, with feedback from PMC staff and colleagues from other disability service offices across Canada. The Standards consist of Principles, Guidelines, and Decision Maps in the areas of Documentation, Accommodation, and Services. The Principles are aligned with the PMC Mandate, Carleton University Academic Accommodation Policy, and relevant guidelines from the Ontario Human Rights Commission. The Guidelines and Decision Maps are derived from the Principles and consist of internal guidelines for decision-making used by the PMC Coordinators.