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Co-operative and Experiential Education works diligently to promote an accessible co-op employment process that celebrates the diversity of skills, experiences and accessibility requirements of all students.
Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) is committed to creating inclusive co-op, Waterloo Experience (WE) Accelerate, EDGE and work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences. CEE aligns with the University’s shared values to think differently, act with purpose and work together with holistic and inclusive WIL experiences.
We are more than simply committed to accessibility; we strive to be trailblazers in ensuring that every student has equal access to transformative educational and professional opportunities. We are proud to champion accessibility, advocate for equity and build a more inclusive and resilient future together.
CEE supports
Co-op student experience manager (CSEM), accessibility
The CSEM, accessibility is an advocate who supports accessibility. They work to remove barriers for students with known or suspected disabilities. The CSEM, accessibility leads ongoing education initiatives for students and staff.
Co-op advisors
Each co-op student has a co-op advisor who supports them throughout their co-op career at Waterloo, including when applying, interviewing and throughout their co-op work terms. Co-op advisors can answer questions about co-op recruitment and work terms.
Centre for Career Development (CCD)
The CCD helps students, postdoctoral fellows, alumni and employees explore career opportunities. Career advisors are available to support you on your career journey. The CCD offers workshops and events to help you build skills for the future.
Co-op Accommodation Support Pathway (CASP)
The CASP is an optional pathway for CEE students with known or suspected disabilities. The CASP provides individualized support for students navigating employment accessibility. Students can expect to receive assistance with on and off-campus resources, disability disclosure, accommodations and employer communication.
Accessible room booking in Tatham Centre (TC)
Students who book a remote interview room in TC can share their accessibility requirements. We will work with you to find a space that meets your accessibility requirements in a dignified way. To book a room for remote interviews, submit a "Request room in TC for remote interview" form under "Recruiting Term Support" on WaterlooWorks.
Reduced course load verification
CEE requires students to be enrolled in full-time courses (1.5 units) to maintain co-op eligibility. If you have an accommodation plan through AccessAbility Services with reduced course load eligibility, you can request that a verification of academic accommodations letter is sent to CEE. If you don't have an accommodation plan but think you may be impacted by a known or suspected disability, please contact AccessAbility Services.
Additional supports
Upcoming accessibility events
Find information about upcoming events with industry leaders, corporate partners, and colleagues united in supporting disability in employment.
Register online for upcoming networking and professional events that are not co-ordinated by CEE. Be sure to check this calendar regularly for upcoming events of interest, as registrations may fill up quickly.
Disability inclusion
CEE’s disability inclusion efforts are positioned across four key impact areas. Together, these areas represent our commitment to understanding how we can support our students, staff and industry partners to create a more inclusive model of co-operative and experiential education.
Education and professional development
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Disability awareness and inclusion training are integrated in the CEE curriculum, including mandatory staff onboarding and professional development courses for students. Training includes resources, knowledge and skills to offer an inclusive experience for students, staff and industry partners. This work builds on our individual and collective sense of disability confidence, which is necessary for us to thrive in how we experience and understand disability.
Education and professional development include presentations on topics such as:
- disability disclosure
- internalized ableism
Process and policy advancement
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Through an accessibility-focused lens, we review CEE programming to ensure quality and inclusion. Our goal is to solidify that CEE is for everyone and our processes and polices work to dismantle systemic and ableist barriers.
This work includes critical reflection of:
- what it means to earn a CEE credit (co-op, EDGE)
- key performance indicators related to accessibility
- actions to move beyond accessibility legislative compliance toward being an industry leader
Accommodation support
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CEE follows dedicated pathways in co-op, EDGE and WIL experiences to ensure that students will have their accessibility requirements met.
Co-op accommodation support pathway
For co-op, EDGE and WIL students with known or suspected disabilities, support is available to help meet your accessibility requirements. Students can access this resource at any time by emailing co-op.accessibility@uwaterloo.ca to schedule an appointment with the co-op student experience manager, accessibility. Students can expect to receive assistance with:
- connecting to on and off-campus resources
- understanding disability disclosure
- exploring academic and employment accommodations
- communicating with employer(s)
Community and belonging
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Student participation is essential to creating a disability-inclusive CEE community. We are planning purposeful opportunities for collaboration, experience sharing, storytelling, peer networking and mentorship.
Here are some of the ways you can get involved in this effort to build community:
CEE student equity advisory group
- The CEE student equity advisory group (SEAG) plays an important role in shaping CEE services and support for students. SEAG provides recommendations, advice and information related to the development and implementation of equity-driven processes.
- This group was formed to eliminate systemic barriers within CEE experienced by students from racialized, marginalized and excluded communities.
We want to hear from you
We invite the University community to work with us to create learning opportunities. Your experience and expertise are the inspiration for this work. We take on this work through an intersectional and trauma-informed lens.