Woodstock family wants New Brunswick Community College to stop discriminating against prospective students with special needs
After high school graduation, most students continue their education, working toward university degrees and college diplomas.
For many, their biggest stress is whether or not the school they apply to will accept them for their grades.
For students with disabilities, their biggest fear is whether their dream school will accept them despite their learning differences or physical challenges.
Daniel Kuwertz has autism. This spring, he graduated from Woodstock High School. Last spring, he applied to the Truck and Transport Service Technician program at NBCC Woodstock through the college’s Special Admissions service but was denied a seat.
Special Admissions gives applicants who have graduated high school but don’t meet NBCC’s entrance requirements a chance to apply to designated programs. The biggest hurdle is that most of NBCC’s programs only allow one Special Admissions student per course.
“It just goes to prove that the word ‘inclusion’ is just a word and not a policy,” said Daniel’s father, Kurt Kuwertz.
Kurt said the news that Daniel wouldn’t attend college this fall devastated his son.
NBCC suggested that Daniel get more experience with the industry and then reapply for registration in Sept. 2025, but there is no guarantee that he’ll get in.
His parents worry he won’t pass the interview process again, noting their son was denied admission into the program this year based on his answers being “too much of a niche.” Daniel loves school buses and wants to eventually work exclusively with them. The assessors noted his knowledge base needed to be broadened within the entire industry.
Even if the only Special Admissions seat in the course is vacant, Daniel may still need to get it, even if he is the only person to apply. The NBCC Special Admissions team can leave the spot empty if they deem an applicant unqualified for the seat. Special Admissions students must also sign an understanding agreement stating they are financially responsible for any extra help needed.
“But the college says they can’t afford to have more than one seat available for special needs students because of additional costs involved – but the student is required to pay for the extra costs. Why is the college allowed to display this level of discrimination?” said Daniel’s mother, Catherine Kuwertz.
Daniel is applying for jobs to afford the extra expenses that NBCC will require if he can get in, but no one has yet hired him due to his lack of experience.
“The jobs that Daniel would qualify to do would be more limited than an ‘average person’. This, combined with a lack of jobs available right now, really creates hardships on him,” said Catherine.
The Kuwertz family is also critical of the college’s lack of a waiting list for Special Admissions.
In an email to the River Valley Sun, an official with NBCC’s Strategic Communications noted that “due to the limited number of seats available and to ensure a fair and equitable process for all Special Admissions applicants, NBCC does not offer a waitlist.”
Catherine and Kurt want to see a change in the NBCC admission process to ensure a fair chance for all who apply to the school’s programs.
“Go by the date the application was received and interview the first x number of students. Would they be a good fit?,” said Catherine.
Daniel’s parents say the way NBCC organizes Special Admissions applicants is blatant discrimination. Catherine believes all applicants should be treated the same.
“Why just special needs students?” said Catherine.
NBCC says it is currently reviewing its Special Admissions services.
“We are evaluating existing support services and exploring new pathways to meet the needs of diverse learners throughout the province. Formal recommendations will be made following the completion of this review,” said an official with NBCC’s Strategic Communications.
