Frequently Asked Questions

Incoming students

• Who is eligible for SAS services?
  Any Ontario Tech student with a disability is eligible for SAS services, whether it is a permanent disability or a temporary disability such as an acute injury or accident. 
• What services does SAS offer?

  SAS offers a number of services including:

  • Accommodated testing in our Test Centre (and virtually)
  • Alternative formats of course materials
  • Assistive Technology training and support
  • Ergonomic equipment
  • One-on-one support
  • Note-taking supports
  • Peer Coaches to help with scheduling, study skills and more
  • Sign Language Interpretation (ASL) 
• I am a new student to Ontario Tech starting in September. When should I book my intake appointment?
  You may submit the Student Intake Form and documentation form(s) anytime to studentaccessibility@ontariotechu.ca. Please note that intake appointments will be booked after course registration in June and will be based on our Accessibility and Accommodations Specialists’ (AAS) availability. Please email studentaccessibility@ontariotechu.ca to book your appointment.
• I am a current Ontario Tech student looking to register with SAS. When can I book my intake appointment?
  Your intake appointment can be booked anytime based on our Accessibility and Accommodations Specialists’ (AAS) availability. Please email studentaccessibility@ontariotechu.ca to book your appointment.
• Do you offer any orientation program or transition programming?
  SAS invites incoming students with documented disabilities to attend the Summer Transition Program. Students who have previously attended these workshops feel better prepared and are more successful in the first few months of university. In addition to providing an opportunity to interact with other new students, this program will help you to understand the real differences between high school and university, learn about self-advocacy and how to use your strengths, and interact with key staff who can provide academic and learning support.
• How often can I get support from SAS?
  The frequency of appointments with a student's Accessibility and Accommodations Specialists (AAS) is determined in a collaborative way, based on your needs. This also includes support from our Assistive Technologist.
• I am transferring from another post-secondary institution, will I receive accommodations?
  Previous accommodation plans from other institutions will not automatically transfer to Ontario Tech. You will need to schedule a new intake appointment with a Student Accessibility Services Specialist.
• Does my high school accommodation plan (IEP) transfer over when I start university?
  If you had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in high school, it is recommended that you make an appointment with an Accessibility and Accommodations Specialist to review your IEP. You will need additional documentation regarding the diagnosis listed in your IEP (for example, a psychoeducational assessment). If you do not have additional documentation, your SAS Specialist can advise and support you in getting what you need. Interim accommodations may be provided while additional documentation is obtained.

Registering with SAS

• How do I register with SAS?
  Please visit the New to Our Office page on our website for more information on how to register with SAS.
• Does it cost money to register with SAS?
  No! You will not be charged any cost to receive support from Student Accessibility Services. However, as part of the documentation process some health care providers may charge a fee to complete the Documentation of Disability form, or complete an assessment. 
• What documentation do I need to register?

  Please visit our new students web page for more information on accepted forms of disability documentation.

• What format does my documentation need to be in?
  Please note that we only accept documentation in a digital format and we do not accept hard copy documents. You may find the following links helpful for how to scan documents using an I-phone, Android or the Genius app.
• Can I bring a support person into meetings with SAS?
  We know the transition to the Post-Secondary environment can be challenging, and we encourage you to take the lead on your academic accommodations. However, we welcome parents, caregivers or support persons at the first meeting with SAS to help determine first steps. We also have a Summer Transition Program (STP) where there will be a parents night so your parent, caregiver or support person can connect with others and ask all their questions. Plus you’ll get to meet other registered students!
• How do my accommodations get decided?

  The development of an academic accommodation plan is highly individualized and based on an in-depth understanding of a student’s functional limitations related to their disability. Your accommodation plan will be determined after a careful review of the information and recommendations related to functional limitations that was provided by a registered health professional. These plans can be changed or updated as needed based on your symptoms with supporting medical documentation. An intake appointment will be booked between the student and an Accessibility and Accommodations Specialists (AAS) to review disability documentation and recommended accommodations. 

• How do I tell my professor after I'm registered?
  Through the intake/accommodation renewal process, your accommodation plan will be emailed directly to your professors. 
• Does my registration with SAS show up on my transcript?
  No, a student’s involvement with accessibility services and the fact that the student has received academic accommodations will not be identified on the student’s official university records, test results, academic transcripts, or graduation documents.
• Do I need a new assessment to get support?

  Students may require an updated Psychoeducational Assessment (PEA), Neuropsychological (NEURO), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or other physican or registered health professional assessment to confirm a disability diagnosis, depending on how recently their last assessment was completed. Students are encouraged to book an appointment with an SAS Specialist to review their existing documentation together and determine what next steps (if any) are required.

  If you have been diagnosed with a Learning Disability/Disorder:
  Provide a copy of your last psychoeducational assessment. Ideally this assessment was completed within the last five years or with adult norms (you were at least 18 years old when you were tested); however, we will accept older assessments as a starting point to register with our office. If you graduated from an Ontario secondary school in the last five years, you can request a copy of your psychoeducational assessment from your high school.

• How will I pay for a new assessment?
  If you are Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) eligible you may qualify for a bursary (BSWD) to cover some or all of the cost. If you are not OSAP eligible, you may qualify for a sliding scale fee for service rate based on income. If you need an updated assessment, discuss this with your SAS Specialist at your intake appointment to determine what options are available to you. For more information on applying to and/or managing OSAP, please contact our Student Awards and Financial Aid office.

Managing accommodations

• My accommodations are expired. What should I do?