Services & Support

Services & Support

Your letter of accommodation may include access to these services/labs

Interpreters and Note-taking Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

If you have ASL Interpreters and Note-Taking Services listed in your Letter of Accommodation, you can request interpreting and note-taking support for course-related appointments, group meetings, administration appointments and co-curricular activities.

Please note:
Note-taking services are only provided to students who are deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing.  All other requests for notes will be processed through our Volunteer Peer Note-sharing Program.

VanGO

If you have a mobility impairment, VanGO can provide a wheelchair-accessible van to help you move between buildings on York's Keele campus. Priority is given if you are going to and from class.

If you are registered with Student Accessibility Services, speak with your Accessibilty Counsellor about access to VanGO.

If you are not already registered with Student Accessibility Services and only require VanGO support you will need to upload medical documentation (e.g. a note from a fracture clinic) using this VanGO Request Form.

Academic Skills Coach Supporting Autistic Students

An Academic Skills Coach is available to autistic students who are registered with our office.

The Academic Skills Coach can help you build academic skills such as developing and implementing time management, study strategies, organization skills and problem-solving methods.

They can also help with navigating processes and can refer you to events, clubs and organizations on campus.

Speak with your Accessibility Counsellor about access to an Academic Skills Coach.

Language and Learning Seminar Course (LLS1000) Course Time for 2025/26

LLS1000 will take place on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is an in-person course taking place at York’s Keele campus.

General Course Information

  • Course Title: LLS 1000
  • Credits: 6.0
  • Target Audience: Primarily designed for first-year students with disabilities to support their transition to university studies at York. While students at other levels may enrol, the course is focused on the first-year experience.

Course Overview

This six-credit course provides essential academic strategies, self-advocacy tools and campus resources to assist students with disabilities in successfully navigating university life. Through a combination of reflection, skill development and exposure to assistive technologies and wellness strategies, students will build confidence in their academic journey.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Understand various modes of evaluation used by instructors.
  • Access campus resources for skills development and self-discovery.
  • Develop effective academic strategies.
  • Integrate assistive technology into coursework.
  • Apply wellness strategies to support academic success.
  • Strengthen self-advocacy skills through reflection and practice.
  • Explore models of disability and engage with advocacy and inclusion topics.
  • Adopt a growth mindset that prioritizes learning over grades.

Course Structure

Fall Term:

The fall term focuses on self-reflection to identify strengths and challenges, aiding students in developing a deeper understanding of university expectations. Topics include:

  • Learning strategies for reading, note-taking, time management, studying and test-taking.
  • Academic integrity and citation practices.
  • Self-advocacy, disability theory, intersectionality and universal design.
  • Human Rights, accessible education and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Winter Term:

The winter term emphasizes wellness, academic writing and career preparation. Students will:

  • Explore strategies for managing academic stress and maintaining well-being.
  • Build academic writing skills step-by-step, culminating in an academic paper.
  • Discuss disability and employment, transferable skills, workplace accommodations and self-advocacy in professional settings.

To enrol in LLS 1000, you must:

  • be registered with Student Accessibility Services;
  • have permission from the course instructor.

LLS 1000 Enrolment Request Form

Adaptive Equipment Labs and Study Space

Students registered with Student Accessibility Services can request access to our adaptive technology and study spaces at the Keele and Markham campuses by filling out our Adaptive Equipment Labs Request Form.

Located on the first floor of the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Builing on the Keele campus, the AT Lab provides  a quiet workspace with internet access. Computers in the lab have word processing and Assistive Technology (JAWS, Kurzweil 3000, Read and Write Gold, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Inspiration and ZoomText) or you are welcome to bring your own laptop and utilize the open study space.

Summer Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Located on the first floor of Scott Library on the Keele campus, the Adaptive Lab offers study spaces, accessible furniture, washrooms, scanners and computers with Assistive Technology (JAWS, Kurzweil 3000, Read and Write Gold, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Inspiration and ZoomText).

Hours: The Adaptive Lab is open during all Scott Library Hours.

The Markham campus Adaptive Learning Lab offers quiet and low-sensory study spaces, accessible furniture, washrooms, computers, printing and software (JAWS, Kurzweil 3000, Read and Write Gold, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Inspiration and ZoomText). Available only to students registered with Student Accessibility Services.

The Adaptive Learning Lab is open during all Markham Library Hours. 

What's available at the adaptive equipment lab?

Assistive Technology Specialist

Our Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist provides training and support in the use of assistive technology (software and apps) and accessible features found within your laptop or phone. Speak to your Accessibility Counsellor about a referral if you would like to explore how AT can support your learning.

Low-sensory Spaces

Three low-sensory spaces are available in the Assistive Technology Lab (room 1017 in the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building). You can use this space to get away from the business of the campus, to meditate or just take a break between classes. To access these low sensory spaces you must be registered with Student Accessibility Services and complete an Adaptive Equipment Labs Request Form.

Assistive Technology Lab Summer Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3:45

Learning Strategy Support

Peer Learning Strategist support is available on a drop-in bases online and in our Assistive Technology lab. A Peer Learning Strategist can support you in developing your academic skills such as time management, study strategies, note-taking, etc. Please see our eClass calendar for workshop details. 

March of Dimes Canada (MODC) Attendant Services at York University

If you require assistance with personal care or activities of daily living, you can apply for Attendant Services through the March of Dimes. This service can include personal care (toileting, bathing, and dressing), meal set up and feeding assistance, housekeeping, laundry, setup support before and after class, and shopping on campus.

Learn more about March of Dimes Attendant Services