Disability Categories

Commonly-used disability categories:

Multiple Disabilities

Multiple simultaneous conditions which may or may not be related. For example, a student may have permanent arthritis and also be legally blind.

Cognitive Disabilities

Pertain to impairment in the process of being aware, knowing, thinking, learning and judging. 

  • Mild Intellectual Disability
  • Moderate to Severe Intellectual Disability

Students with cognitive disabilities may qualify for VIU's Workplace Essential Skills and Training Program (WEST)

This program offers adults with a disability opportunities to learn new skills in the areas of:

  • employment preparation; and/or
  • personal management skills necessary for workplace and independent living; and/or
  • job-specific vocational skills.