Get support
We recognize that there can be barriers to participating in co-op, and that you do your best work when you have the right tools and support.
We're always evolving our approach, including hiring an accessibility and inclusion coordinator; an equity, diversity and inclusion career educator; and an equity, diversity and inclusion employment development officer to support students.
If you have ideas about how we can better support you, we welcome your feedback.
Accessibility
If you identify as having a disability or a mental health condition, you may be unsure about where to start with this conversation. We can support you in this journey.
Telling your employer about a disability or mental health condition is a personal choice. You are not required to disclose that you have a disability. Some reasons you might choose to share include:
- to access reasonable accommodations from your employer
- if your disability has implications for your health or safety
- if your potential employer has a commitment to hiring members of equity groups, including people with disabilities
If there are accommodations that will help you succeed, you can share these with your employers at any time during your co-op work term. Your employer has a responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations.
CanWork
If you identify as having a disability or mental health condition but aren’t sure about taking part in co-op, you could join the CanWork project, which builds in support to help you gain hands-on experience.
The program is open to all undergraduate students (including students from international pathways) in these co-op programs:
- Computer Science
- Exercise, Physical and Health Education
- Health Information Science
- Humanities
- Fine Arts
- Science
- Social Sciences
Ineligible students can still connect with the equity, diversity and inclusion team for support.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
You bring unique strengths, qualities and lived experiences to the workplace. As an employee, you have the right to be:
- treated equitably
- safe
- comfortable
- supported at work
What does equity, diversity and inclusion mean?
UVic is currently developing an equity action plan and working on defining what equity, diversity and inclusion mean at the university. We know it's complicated and there are many layers. For now, our team is using these definitions created by BCCampus:
- Equity is the absence of barriers for people with non-dominant or marginalized lived experiences, perspectives and identities.
- Diversity is when people with a variety of lived experiences, perspectives, and identities are part of a community. This may include race, ethnicity, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political beliefs, ability, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status and more.
- Inclusion is creating environments and communities where everyone feels welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to participate fully and authentically in ways that work for them.
Contact us
We’re here to support you in the world of work. We can chat about your specific experiences and find a comfortable path forward.
We are constantly learning and evolving in how we support students at work related to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
Contact us if you’d like to:
- take part in this conversation
- offer feedback
- have resources to share
Accesssibility and inclusion co-op coordinator
Niels Melis De-Lamper (he/him)
250-853-3172
CSR 007
Equity, diversity and inclusion career educator
Kyle Price (he/him)
250-472-5697
CSR 110
Equity, diversity and inclusion employment development officer
Claire Andrews (she/her)
250-472-5832
CSR 011
Other support
- If you identify as having a disability or mental health condition, you can get support related to your academic experiences through UVic’s Centre for Accessible Learning.
- BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) students can access resources collected through the UVSS BIPOC Support Hub. Indigenous students can also connect with the Native Students Union and the Office of Indigenous, Academic and Community Engagement.
- UVic Pride celebrates sexual, gender and romantic diversity. You can find resources, chat online, take workshops and take part in events.
- The Gender Empowerment Centre is a space for self-identified women, non-binary and gender non-conforming folks. It’s a place where you can organize, network, access resources, attend workshops and events, study and relax.