Student AffairsAcademic accommodations are designed to remove barriers to higher education while upholding essential requirements. Accommodations are provided by considering students first-person experience, medical documentation and academic programming.
Students registered with Accessibility Services may receive permanent or interim accommodations.
Duration
Interim accommodations are provided to students who have documentation demonstrating a need to remove barriers to education but do not yet have paperwork that meets documentation criteria.
Interim accommodation expiration dates vary depending on the reason they are provided. Accessibility advisors will provide more information during the intake appointment.
Students who require permanent accommodations need to provide documentation before interim accommodations have expired.
Permanent accommodations expire on August 31 following the students' anticipated graduation date.
Students are not required to meet with their Accessibility Advisor to discuss accommodations each semester however, they are encouraged to book a meeting if there have been changes to medical information and/or program of study.
There may be a time in which retroactive accommodations must be considered due to a disability related experience. In accordance with section 8.3.4 of the (accommodation after a deadline, test or course has been completed), Retroactive accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis.
These accommodations will be considered based on the following:
- Student discovers after the fact that their academic performance had been impacted by a condition they were unaware of at the time
- Student was aware of their accommodation needs but they were unable to participate in the university accommodation process at the time due to their condition
- Student did not have prior warning of an accommodation need
Temporary accommodations are provided to students who experience short-term barriers in the academic setting due to a temporary injury or other short-term disability.
Expiry dates for this type of accommodation vary depending on the duration of impact. Additional supporting documentation is needed if students require accommodations beyond the initial expiry date. Accessibility advisors will provide more information during the intake appointment.
Types
Classroom Accommodations
Classroom accommodations remove barriers to support students with disabilities in gaining access to content and completing assigned tasks. Once accommodations are applied, instructors can see the approved accommodations in Ventus.
Some accommodations require students to communicate directly with their instructor for implementation. See Accommodation Guide for specific information.
Assessment Accommodations
Assessment accommodations remove barriers to support students with disabilities during quizzes, tests, and exams. Instructors submit assessments through Ventus and students are notified when an assessment has been added. We cannot provide accommodations if amendments or additions are made less than 10-days prior to the quiz, test or exam.
If an assessment is not in Ventus at least 14-days prior to the assessment, then it will be held in class and instructors are responsible for providing accommodations. Students should speak with the instructor regarding questions about accommodations for assessments not appearing in Ventus.
If students choose not to write a quiz, test, or exam in the Exams Office using their accommodations, they must opt-out of the accommodation at least 10 days prior to an assessment.
Students who are unable to write an assessment for disability related reasons (e.g., a flare or exacerbation in symptoms) should refer to the exam deferral process and cancel the assessment in Ventus at least 24 hours in advance.
Any modifications to assessment accommodations must be made a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the exam date; changes will not be accepted past this deadline. Students requiring a revision to their approved accommodations, need to book an appointment with their Accessibility Advisor using the 鈥淏ook Now鈥 button found in Ventus.
Practicum Accommodations
Practicum Accommodations remove barriers when there are functional impacts in the practicum/placement/clinical settings. Once accommodations are applied, students can see the approved accommodations in Ventus.
Letters of Accommodation may need to be shared with practicum supervisors and require students to communicate directly with their supervisor for implementation. As processes may vary, students should check with their faculty to ensure accommodations are implemented appropriately.