10.6.8

Institutional Commitment

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is committed to providing an inclusive, supportive and accessible learning environment for students and members of the university community with disabilities, also referred to in the UAE as People of Determination.

The University recognises that individuals with physical, psychological, sensory, medical or learning-related disabilities may encounter barriers to educational participation and campus life.

To address these challenges, CUD provides dedicated disability support, individual academic accommodations, personal counselling, academic assistance, healthcare services and access to appropriate campus support arrangements.

These services are coordinated through the University's Disability Support Office, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) function, Student Affairs and relevant academic and healthcare services.

CUD's approach is based on individual assessment and reasonable accommodation, recognising that students may require different forms of assistance to participate effectively in higher education.

1. Dedicated Disability Support Office

Canadian University Dubai maintains a Disability Support Office providing a designated institutional contact point for students who require disability-related assistance.

The office is overseen by Ms. Simran Siddiqui, who also heads the Counselling Office and serves as the University's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

The Disability Support Office works with relevant university functions to assist students in identifying and accessing suitable academic support.

Disability Support Office Contact Details

The office provides a central point of contact for students seeking information about accommodations and assistance with disability-related challenges.

2. Individualised Academic Accommodations

CUD provides academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities and special educational needs.

These arrangements are considered individually according to the student's circumstances, supporting documentation and academic requirements.

Students experiencing physical, psychological, learning-related or other documented challenges may request adjustments to support their participation in university education.

Available Academic Accommodations

These accommodations are not applied identically to every student. They are determined according to individual circumstances and approved academic arrangements.

Coordination with Academic Staff

The Disability Support Office works with relevant academic and student-support functions to facilitate accommodations.

Where necessary and appropriate, approved arrangements are communicated to relevant faculty or academic personnel so that the agreed support can be implemented.

The University seeks to respect student privacy and maintain appropriate confidentiality when handling disability-related information.

3. Process for Requesting Disability Support

CUD provides a defined route through which students can request disability-related academic assistance.

Step 1 — Contact the Disability Support Office

Students can contact the Disability Support Office by email, telephone or an appointment to explain their support requirements.

Step 2 — Provide Relevant Documentation

Students may be asked to submit appropriate documentation, such as a medical report or other evidence identifying their condition and related educational needs.

The information supports the assessment of suitable accommodations.

Step 3 — Individual Assessment

The office considers the student's circumstances, documented needs and the requirements of the relevant academic programme.

Step 4 — Identify Appropriate Accommodations

Suitable adjustments and support arrangements are identified on a case-by-case basis.

These may involve examination adjustments, assistive learning resources, academic guidance or other appropriate support.

Step 5 — Coordinate Implementation

Relevant academic and support personnel are informed of approved arrangements where necessary to enable implementation.

This process provides a structured approach to responding to disability-related educational needs while recognising the circumstances of individual students.

4. Personal Counselling and Psychological Support

Canadian University Dubai provides personal counselling to support students experiencing emotional, social, psychological or personal challenges.

The counselling service is available to students with disabilities as part of the University's wider student wellbeing framework.

Areas of Support

Counselling may address:

• Stress and anxiety.
• Academic pressure.
• Personal and family challenges.
• Motivation and self-confidence.
• Grief and personal difficulties.
• Social and cultural adjustment.
• Minority-related concerns.
• Challenges associated with disability or ongoing health conditions.

The service provides students with opportunities to discuss their concerns in a supportive environment and receive guidance appropriate to their circumstances.

Counselling Arrangements

Students may contact the Counselling Office to arrange individual support.

Where a student's needs require specialised external services, appropriate referral may be considered in accordance with the University's counselling arrangements.

Counselling complements disability-specific academic accommodations by addressing wellbeing and adjustment challenges that can affect a student's ability to participate in university life.

Counselling Contact: StudentCounsellor@cud.ac.ae

Office: HUB 1 – 05

5. Academic Tutoring and Student Success Support

CUD's Student Success Centre provides academic assistance and learning-development services to enrolled students.

These services are available to students requiring additional academic support, including Students of Determination.

Academic Support Available

The Centre provides educational assistance in areas such as:

• Academic writing and communication.
• Mathematics and English.
• Assignment preparation.
• Study skills and learning strategies.
• Time management.
• Examination preparation.
• Confidence-building and academic development.

Students may request additional support based on their learning requirements and academic circumstances.

Disability-Inclusive Learning Support

For Students of Determination, tutoring and academic guidance can complement approved accommodations.

Examples include helping students develop appropriate study strategies, organise academic work and strengthen their confidence in managing programme requirements.

The University's student-support framework has also included individual tutoring arrangements for students with additional educational needs.

Student Success Centre services provide an additional means of reducing educational barriers and supporting academic participation.

Student Success Centre Contact: StudentSuccess@cud.ac.ae

6. On-Campus Health Centre and Disability-Related Medical Assistance

Canadian University Dubai operates an on-campus Health Centre providing primary healthcare services to students, faculty and staff.

The Health Centre is located on the ground floor of the CUD HUB building, supporting convenient access to medical assistance.

Free Health Services

The University's Health Centre provides the following services without charge:

• First aid.
• Nursing assistance for minor illnesses and injuries.
• Basic healthcare guidance.
• Health education and disease prevention advice.
• Information concerning medical insurance benefits and coverage.
• Referral to emergency services where required.

Professional licensed nurses provide medical assistance within the Centre's scope of services.

Support for Students with Medical Conditions or Disabilities

Students with disabilities or medical conditions who require ongoing assistance on campus may submit a medical report from their physician describing their health condition and special requirements.

The Health Centre can then consider appropriate assistance within its available services and responsibilities.

Relevant support may include:

• Guidance concerning ongoing health needs.
• Assistance with minor medical concerns.
• Coordination of appropriate emergency responses.
• Health-related information and referrals.
• Consideration of specific on-campus medical requirements.

CUD also describes arrangements for supporting students and staff with chronic medical conditions, including medical assistance coordination and, where appropriate, safe medication storage.

These services complement the Disability Support Office by addressing health-related needs that may affect participation in campus activities.

Health Centre Contact

Location: CUD HUB Building, Ground Floor

Telephone: +971 4 709 6207

Email: healthcenter@cud.ac.ae

7. Physical Accessibility and Mobility Support

CUD provides accessible campus infrastructure intended to support the mobility and participation of people with disabilities.

These physical facilities complement the University's academic and personal support services.

Campus Accessibility Features

These facilities provide practical support for students, staff and visitors who have mobility-related needs.

Details of the locations, quantities and photographic evidence of these facilities are addressed separately under SDG 10.6.7 — Accessible Facilities for People with Disabilities.

8. Students of Determination — Participation in Higher Education

CUD maintains institutional records concerning the enrolment of Students of Determination.

The reported figures provide context for the population that may benefit from disability-related accommodations and support.

Student Enrolment

The number of enrolled Students of Determination increased from 85 in 2022–23 to 110 in 2024–25, an increase of approximately 29.4%.

The 2024–25 figure demonstrates that the University enrolled a reported population of 110 Students of Determination during the relevant academic reporting period.

These figures represent enrolled students, not the number of individual counselling sessions, accommodation plans or students who used specific support services.

The University's disability support arrangements are intended to make appropriate services available according to individual needs.

9. Financial Assistance for Students of Determination

Canadian University Dubai maintains a dedicated scholarship category for eligible Students of Determination.

The scholarship forms part of the University's wider commitment to supporting educational participation among students who may experience disability-related barriers.

Scholarship Provision

CUD's public scholarship information describes a tuition reduction of up to 40% for eligible students with documented disabilities or special educational needs.

Applications are considered according to the University's scholarship eligibility requirements.

Complementary Support

Scholarship assistance can help reduce financial barriers, while the Disability Support Office, Student Success Centre, Counselling Office and Health Centre address other academic and personal needs.

The scholarship is a financial assistance mechanism. It complements, rather than replaces, the University's disability-specific support services.

10. Institutional Policy on Reasonable Accommodation

CUD's disability support arrangements are reinforced by its formally approved Non-Discrimination Policy.

Policy Information

Institutional Commitment

The policy expressly recognises the rights and needs of People of Determination.

It establishes a commitment to reasonable accommodations so that individuals with disabilities can access:

• Education.
• Employment.
• University services.

The policy also establishes that educational programmes and other university activities are to be administered without discrimination.

These provisions provide an institutional foundation for the disability-support services described on this page.

11. Institutional Coordination and Responsibility

Disability support at CUD involves collaboration between specialist services and academic or administrative units.

This coordinated approach supports students whose needs extend across academic, personal, physical accessibility or healthcare-related areas.

12. Access to Disability Support Services

Students requiring disability-related support can use the following contact points.

Students are encouraged to contact the Disability Support Office to discuss appropriate assistance and the documentation that may be required.

Support arrangements are assessed individually and coordinated according to the student's circumstances.

13. Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities

CUD's disability support services aim to reduce barriers affecting individuals with disabilities and support their participation in higher education.

These services contribute to the objectives of SDG Target 10.2, which promotes social and economic inclusion.

SDG 4 — Quality Education

Reasonable academic accommodations, specialist support, counselling and academic tutoring promote more equitable access to quality tertiary education.

SDG 3 — Good Health and Wellbeing

Free basic healthcare, personal counselling and support for students with medical conditions contribute to student wellbeing.

SDG 5 — Gender Equality

Disability support services are available according to documented needs, supporting equitable participation across gender backgrounds.

SDG 16 — Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Formally approved non-discrimination provisions and defined institutional support responsibilities contribute to accountable and inclusive university practices.

Institutional Commitment

Canadian University Dubai is committed to supporting People of Determination through dedicated services and reasonable accommodations.

The University's Disability Support Office provides individual assistance, while its Counselling Office, Student Success Centre, Health Centre and academic departments contribute complementary support.

In academic year 2024–25, CUD recorded 110 enrolled Students of Determination, demonstrating the presence of students for whom accessible learning and university support services are particularly relevant.

These arrangements are supported by CUD's Board-approved Non-Discrimination Policy, which expressly commits the University to reasonable accommodations and equal access to education, employment and university services.

Through this combination of specialist disability support, academic assistance, counselling, healthcare and institutional policies, CUD seeks to reduce barriers and support the participation and wellbeing of people with disabilities.

Responsible Office: Disability Support Office

Responsible Officer: Ms. Simran Siddiqui

Office: HUB 1 – 05

Phone: +971 4 709 6292

Email: Simran.Siddiqui@cud.ac.ae

Supporting Policy: Non-Discrimination Policy (GM-PO-1N), approved 10 May 2024

Primary Reporting Period: Academic Year 2024–25.