Please be aware that the alternate test and exam centre at the Keele campus is currently managing a high volume of requests for accommodated tests and exams. Test spaces are fully booked until the second week of November. All new requests for accommodated tests and exams will be scheduled to take place after November 4 and will only be rescheduled in exceptional circumstances.
Faculty
We provide academic accommodation and support to students with temporary or permanent disabilities in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) Policy on accessible education for students with disabilities and York University Senate Policy on Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities.
We use the term disability when we talk about registration with our office to be consistent with the language used in the OHRC and York Senate policies.
All students from neurodiverse, communities as well as students with sensory disabilities or impairments (deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, blind, low vision and partially sighted), chronic medical, health or mental health conditions, brain injuries and physical or mobility disabilities are welcome to explore registration with our office.
Understanding policies and resources related to teaching students with disabilities creates an equitable environment where respect for dignity of persons with disabilities is upheld.
The Teaching Commons also provides resources on topics such as Inclusive Design and Making Your Course Accessible.
Please consult with our office if you have specific accommodation related questions or concerns or contact the Teaching Commons if you have question about how to make your course more accessible.
Quick Links
Accommodation Guides
The resources provided below offer essential information for faculty, teaching assistants, and staff, equipping them with the knowledge necessary to effectively support students with disabilities at the University:
Faculty Resource Guide
This guide delves into legislation, identifies accessibility challenges within the higher education landscape, and offers insights into the accommodation process and best practices.
Accommodation Implementation Guide
Providing a comprehensive overview of individual accommodations, this guide serves as a valuable resource for understanding and implementing specific support measures within the classroom.
Placement Accommodation Guide
Focused on supporting students with disabilities in experiential and placement settings.
Alternate Exam Booking: Markham Campus
Markham Campus is piloting the new Online Faculty Test and Exam Portal designed to streamline student requests and ease faculty participation in providing test and exam accommodations to registered students. The pilot is currently only available for courses offered at the Markham campus.
Important/essential information for teaching students with disabilities
Information about Student Accessibility Services should be included in your course syllabus and discussed at the beginning of the course.
If you are concerned about a student's performance in your course, or a student reaches out to you, connect with them to discuss campus supports.
If you suspect the student has a disability or they disclose a disability you can refer the student to our office. For students who suspect that they have a disability we provide a consultation to discuss assessment and service referral options. The OHRC policy includes information for faculty on responding to students with suspected disabilities.
For situations, such as a student becoming ill, having a personal/family emergency, or religious observance that require special consideration (permission to hand in an assignment late and/or write an exam/test at a later date) students do not need to register with our office. Please speak with your peers, Dean/Chair to find out your faculty’s policy on supporting students with these types of special consideration requests.
For additional support you may refer the student to the following offices:
- Student Counselling, Health & Well-Being (SCHW) can help students develop strategies to manage stress and test/performance anxiety and provides health and well-being related workshops.
- The Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR) provides critical incident support to students experiencing a personal or family emergency (e.g. loss of housing, hospitalization and the death of a loved one).
- The ESL Open Learning Centre (OLC) offers support to students for whom English is a Second/Additional Language
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