Permanent disability

A permanent disability means any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment—or a functional limitation—that:

• restricts your ability to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a postsecondary school level or to participate in the labour force, and
• is expected to remain with you for your expected life.

If you self-identify as a student with a disability but your disability is not permanent (see definition above), then select “No” to the question “Is your disability permanent?”.

If you select “No” to the question “Is your disability permanent?”, then an additional question would populate to ask, “Is your disability persistent or prolonged?” (see related definition below).

Persistent or prolonged disability

A persistent or prolonged disability means any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment—or a functional limitation—that:

• restricts your ability to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a postsecondary school level or to participate in the labour force, and
• has lasted, or is expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months, but
• is not expected to remain with you for your expected life.