Frequently Asked Questions
Incoming Students FAQ
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Registration FAQ
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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.
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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.
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What documentation do I need to register?
Please visit our New to Our Office page for more information on accepted forms of disability documentation.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 FAQ
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My accommodations are expired. What should I do?
All accommodation plans have an expiry date. The expiry date is based on the duration of your disability and the details provided in your submitted documentation. If your accommodation plan is expired but you continue to need accommodations, contact your Accessibility and Accommodation Specialist (AAS) for support. You may be required to submit updated medical documentation.
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Do I need to send my accommodation plan to my instructors or are they sent automatically?
You need to send your accommodation plans to your instructors every semester that you are enrolled in courses. This is called 'renewing' your accommodations. To renew your accommodations, please visit the Online Accommodation Renewal tab on the SAS Portal.
We recommend that you wait until the first week of classes to renew your accommodations. This ensures that a course instructor has been assigned to the course.
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What if I have an issue with my accommodations?
Contact your Accessibility and Accommodation Specialist (AAS) to book an appointment to review your ongoing accommodations. If you do not know who your Specialist is, you may email studentaccessibility@ontariotechuca and they will help you to book an appointment.
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Where can I find my accessibility specialist’s contact information?
At bottom of your letter of accommodation on the SAS Portal. Alternatively, can contact our office at studentaccessibility@ontariotechu.ca and we will connect you with your specialist.
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My accommodation letter says 'pending'. What does that mean?
If your accommodation letter says pending, this usually means that an instructor has not been assigned to the course.
For labs and tutorials, it is common for your letter to say 'pending' and no further action is needed. To share your accommodations with a lab or tutorial leader, you would simply click generate PDF in the Online Accommodation Renewal tab. This will generate a PDF copy of your accommodation plan which you can email directly to your instructors.
For lectures, if your accommodation letter says 'pending', this may be because an instructor has not yet been assinged to the course. Please note that course instructors may not be assigned until the course begins. We recommend that you wait to renew your accommodations until the first week of classes each semester to ensure that a course instructor has been assigned.
If your accommodation letter says pending, please contact your Accessibility and Accommodation Specialist (AAS) for assistance.
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I have additional medical/psychological documentation for my accessibility specialist. How do I submit this information?
You may submit your updated documentation via the SAS Portal under submit files or you may email your documentation to studentaccessibility@ontariotechu.ca.
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I'm having issues logging in to the SAS Portal. What do I do?
If you are unable to login to the SAS Portal, this may be caused by the oncampus.local prefix that is added to the login field. Please remove the prefix and use only your banner ID and network password.
It is recommended to close down your web browser, re-open the browser, and then manually re-type your banner ID to overwrite the autofill.
Testing FAQ
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How do I book with the Test Centre?
Please note: Students must complete a separate booking for each assessment, regardless if it is to be written on-campus or online. Students must book their tests via the SAS Student Portal to access any of their testing accommodations.
On-Campus Assessments
All on-campus assessments are written within the university's Test Centre. On-campus location and additional information on booking your assessment can be found on the Test Centre and Integrated Services webpage.
Online Assessments
If the rest of your class is writing the assessment remotely, you will as well. By default, there will not be a seat reserved for you to write in the Test Centre. You are still required to book your assessment in the Test Centre to ensure your instructor is notified of your testing accommodations, and so they can format details appropriately in Canvas. Remember to uncheck the "Use of Test Centre" option from your online assessment booking. This notifies the Test Centre that you will not be physically writing in the Test Centre and no seat needs to be reserved for you.
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Do I have to write all of my assessments (test, exams, quizzes) in the Test Centre?
It is up to you to decide if you will write in the Test Centre. However, you must book seven days in advance of your assessment. We recommend short quizzes be accommodated in the classroom (where possible). Final Exams have very strict deadlines so make sure you check the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Portal often.
Please note: In order to receive your testing accommodations, you will need to book to write your assessments in the Test Centre.
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What do I do if my instructor changes the date of my assessment and I use the Test Centre?
Email the Test Centre at testcentre@ontariotechu.ca as soon as possible to notify them of the changes.
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When do I need to book my assessment?
You need to book your test at least seven business days in advance. Final exam bookings close three weeks before the start of the exam period.
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What do I do if I miss the deadline to sign up to use the Test Centre?
If you miss the assessment booking deadline, you must contact testcentre@ontariotechu.ca. Please provide the test centre with the date/time of the assessment, the course code, and the professor's first and last name. A TCIS team member will notify you if your request has been approved or not.
Please note: Submissions with less than seven working days notice may not be processed in time. Unless you hear back from us in this timeframe, please be prepared to write with your class. In order to guarantee your spot in the Test Centre, please book at least seven working days in advance of writing.
There is no guarantee that your late booking request will be approved. We try our best to accommodate but ask for your patience as some specific accommodations (e.g. private room, computer access, etc.) may not be available if you're booking in later than the assessment booking deadline. Due to space restrictions, active bookings that meet the seven working day deadline are processed first.
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Where is the Test Centre located?
There are two Test Centre locations:
- North Oshawa campus location: Shawenjigewining Hall, Room 343A
- Downtown Oshawa campus location: Charles Hall, Room 236
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I get an error when trying to book my assessment what do I do?
Please make sure you have renewed your accommodation plan. You won't be able to book your accommodated tests until you have renewed your accommodations. If you have and are still receiving an error, please contact testcentre@ontariotechu.ca.
Assistive Technology FAQ
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How do I request my textbooks in an alternative format?
If you are already registered with SAS, you can put a request in through the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Portal under the Alternate Format Request form.
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Do you offer note-taking supports?
Students can now access personalized Notetaking Software Glean, or work with their Accessibility and Accommodations Specialist to explore other options such as Audio Recording Lectures or Computerized Notetaking Services.
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Can I receive assistive technology as part of my accommodations?
If you require special devices or software to access your course materials, an assistive technologist can assess your requirements, conduct training and provide technical support. The student accessibility services may have some equipment available for temporary loan while your accommodation options are assessed. You may also start immediately to use Read & Write for Google Chrome without having to meet with the assistive technologist. Download Read & Write for Google Chrome, and then go to YouTube for detailed information about the tools and features of Read & Write.
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What is Glean?
Glean is the new notetaking software that replaced existing software Sonocent. If you want to learn more about this software and the features it offers to students you can visit the Glean website or book an appointment with the Assistive Technologist to ask questions and get training on the software.
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Can Glean teach me how to take better notes?
While Glean has many features that will improve your notes, if you need training on how to take better notes or other Academic and Study skills contact the Student Learning Centre.
Campuswide Services FAQ
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Is there Accessible Housing on campus or near the university?
SAS does not have a focus on housing as this is not part of academic accommodations process, but you can ask us questions and we will do our best to help!
- There are both on-campus and off-campus options for housing near the university. These resources are shared on the university housing options webpage. Students can email to request more information for on campus housing, and for off campus housing.
- Students requesting on-campus residence support relating to a medical concern or special consideration in the room assignment process can provide these details during the Residence Acceptance Process. More information related to this process can be found on the Ontario Tech University Residence webpage.
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What are some of the financial Supports available to Students?
SAS works closely with the Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA) office to explore opportunities for students. There are multiple awards that are available to domestic and international students. For domestic students who have a permanent disability include the Ontario Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PDSE). Once you are registered with SAS your Accessibility and Accommodation Specialist (AAS) can work with you to explore your options.
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Are there Accessible Study Spaces on campus?
There is an accessible study space, the Assisted Use Carrel, in the North Oshawa Library, LIB 417.
This includes a height adjustable desk, comfortable chairs, and Assistive Technology. You can book this room through the Book a Room page on the library website. The space is first come first serve.
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On-Campus Navigation
- GoodMaps Explore is an accessible navigation app designed to provide an inclusive experience for all individuals on our campus, including those who are blind, or visually impaired. It offers detailed, accurate indoor navigation assistance.
- For more information, please visit the university's webpage on the GoodMaps Explore App.
- GoodMaps Explore is an accessible navigation app designed to provide an inclusive experience for all individuals on our campus, including those who are blind, or visually impaired. It offers detailed, accurate indoor navigation assistance.
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Are there employment resources for disabled students?
Student Life has a range of Career Readiness resources including, events, internships, co-ops, job preparation, one-on-one support, and workshops.
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Are there groups and workshops offered by Student Accessibility Services?
Yes. For more information, visit our Events and Workshops page.