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Frequently Asked Questions

Incoming students


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


Testing

  • 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. 

    For more support review the:

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.
  • 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. 

  • 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
  • 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

  • Can I receive assistive technology as part of my accommodations?

    If you require special devices or software to access your course materials, your SAS Specialist can connect you with an assistive technologist to assess your requirements, conduct training and provide technical support. SAS may have some equipment available for temporary loan while your accommodation options are assessed. You may also benefit from using Read & Write for Google Chrome without having to meet with the assistive technologist. To learn more about its tools and features, we recommend watching this video on YouTube. 

  • 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. Provided Alternative Formats include large print, braille, tactile images, and electronic text. Publishers may restrict access to electronic text for textbooks that they sell in a digital format.
  • What AT supports are available for note-taking?

    AT support for note-taking can include hardware or software tools to synchronize notes while recording lectures (to be used in conjunction with the Audio Recording Lectures accommodation), reusable notebooks, mind mapping or other software for organizing your notes.

    Glean is one of the options software options available for note-taking support. 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.

    Any note-taking AT will provide better results when paired with effective note-taking strategies. For more information on how to take better notes or other Academic and Study Skills, please contact the Student Learning Centre.

  • What are some other AT supports that are available?

    Student Accessibility Services can provide a wide range of AT supports:

    • Students with visual impairments may benefit from magnifiers, high contrast keyboards, or devices that scan and read printed text aloud.
    • Students with hearing impairments may benefit from FM systems and captioning or transcription software.
    • We also offer alternative input systems for students who face challenges using a standard keyboard or mouse.
    • Your Assistive Tech Specialist can also provide recommendations, training and support in getting the most out of the accessibility features included in your mobile device.

Campuswide services


If you cannot find your answers on this page please contact SAS by phone at 905.721.3266 or by email at studentaccessibility@ontariotechu.ca.