Dear MOTs,

The professional programs in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences are in the process of expansion, and our first-year classes for 2025-26 are the largest we have ever admitted. Our Rehab Building has been undergoing extensive renovation over the past few years to create learning spaces that can accommodate this expansion and improve accessibility for students. R160 is an older classroom you will use on occasion while in the program, and it is scheduled for a full makeover in spring, 2026.

While awaiting the renovation of R160, we are accommodating the increased class size with a mix of seating consisting of 40% chairs at tables and 60% tablet armchairs (individual chairs with a swing-away writing surface). We feel this mix will meet the accessibility needs of the variety of students in the program, as some students may need to sit at a table rather than tablet armchair. Note that we have distributed both types of seating throughout the room to accommodate your needs in terms of location (e.g., related to vision or distraction). To ensure the seating process is equitable, we are asking each of you to think about the type of seating you need for accessibility reasons that will enable you to engage well in class. If you have flexibility with your needs regarding type of seating or location, we ask that, in the spirit of creating an accessible learning environment for all, you let others find seats before you do. We request this because not all seats or locations will work for all people. This is great practice for you in your professional program as you learn to anticipate and respond to accessibility needs in new ways - a critically important skill for practicing occupational therapists.

We will check in with you throughout the year to evaluate how this seating plan is working for you all. Feedback will be optional and, in most instances, collected anonymously.

Sincerely,

Leanne

Leanne Leclair (she/her) PhD OTReg (MB) Head and Associate Professor Department of Occupational Therapy College of Rehabilitation Sciences Rady Faculty of Health Sciences University of Manitoba