1. Purpose, Scope and Definitions

The policy, Academic Accommodation of Students with Disabilities (“Policy”) is composed of two documents: the Policy Document and this Procedures Document. This Procedures Document is intended to support the Policy Document and provides specific information on the decision making process and appeals process related to Academic Accommodations. Definitions for capitalized terms are found in the Policy Document. In the event of a discrepancy between the Policy Document and the Procedures Document, the Policy Document will apply.

1. In accordance with the University’s policies and procedures and applicable legislation including the Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the University of Guelph shall provide reasonable accommodation, short of undue hardship.
2. The University promotes the full participation of students in their academic program. It is recognized that the provision of academic accommodation is a shared accountability and responsibility between the University and the student.
3. The purpose of this Policy Document is to identify the principles and responsibilities in the provision of academic accommodation for students with disabilities. This Policy does not address accommodation related to lifestyle or quality of life.
4. In the event of a discrepancy between this Policy Document and the Procedures Document, the Policy Document will apply.
5. The following definitions shall apply in this Policy:
   • "Academic Accommodation” means modification to academic policies, procedures or the educational environment that would result in equal opportunity to attain the same level of performance, or to enjoy the same level of benefits and privileges enjoyed by others, and meets the student’s Disability-related needs. Examples of 
     • Advanced provision of reading lists and other course materials to allow for alternate format transcription;
     • Alternate scheduling for the completion of course, project, thesis work, or examinations, including competency examinations;
     • Extensions to program completion time limits;
     • Use of assistive technology in the classroom/laboratory/field (e.g. FM systems worn by Course faculty);
     • Use of oral and visual language interpreters and/or note takers in the classroom;
     • Use of audio and/or visual recording or webcast of lectures;
     • Use of adaptive technology and alternate format text for written materials;
     • Support for examinations including extra time, a private or semi-private room, use of a computer, adaptive software or word processor, or access to a reader or scribe as needed;
     • Special seating; wheelchair accessible tables;
     • Adjustment to academic loads.
   • “ALS” means Accessible Learning Services at Humber College.
   • “Course Faculty” is defined as the individual(s) teaching the course.
   • “Dean” means the dean of the college that has the responsibility for the course or program.
   • “Disability or Disabilities” has the same meaning as under the Ontario Human Rights Code in force and as amended from time to time. Disabilities may include those which are permanent or those which fall under the definition of Temporary Disabilities. Disabilities may include but are not limited to:
     • Learning Disabilities
     • Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (“ADHD”)
     • Hearing and/or vision impairments
     • Autism Spectrum Disorder
     • Medical disabilities
     • Dexterity or mobility impairments
     • Acquired brain injuries
     • Psychological/emotional disabilities
   • “Diagnostic Information” means the description of a diagnostic procedure, treatment, or underlying cause of a health condition, including a Diagnosis.
   • “Diagnosis” means the identification of a specific disease or disorder as the cause of a set of symptoms.
   • “Essential Requirement” means a task or activity that is core to the specific learning outcomes of a course or program.
   • “Examinations” include but are not limited to midterms, tests, quizzes, lab examinations or final examinations, competency examinations and defences.
   • “In-course Academic Accommodations” means Academic Accommodations for courses in which the student is currently registered.
   • “Interim Academic Accommodations” means appropriate Academic Accommodations offered for up to a maximum of two semesters while a student is in the process of obtaining appropriate supporting documentation. The student may be required to produce evidence that the documentation process is underway.
   • “Learning Disabilities” has the same meaning as found in either:
     1. the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, as published by the American Psychological Association; 
     2. the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario; at the discretion of the diagnosing clinician.
   • “Notification” means formal written notification from ALS of the appropriate types of Academic Accommodations.
   • "Program Head” means head of an academic unit and includes a Department Chair or School Director.
   • “Regulated Health Professional” has the same meaning found in the Regulated Health Professions Act, in force and as amended from time to time.
   • “Temporary Disability” means a disability that may not be permanent but does not include short-term common ailments or illnesses such as a cold or the flu.
   • “Supplementary Academic Accommodation” has the meaning found in section 5.3 of the Procedures Document.

   • “Vice-Provost” means the chief academic officer of the University of Guelph-Humber.

More information can be found at: https://wellness.uoguelph.ca/accessibility/about-us/policy-procedures/policy-academic-accommodation-students-disabilities.

2. Essential Requirements and Academic Accommodation

Decisions concerning specific forms of Academic Accommodation are made with consideration to the Essential Requirements of a specific course or program in order to ensure its integrity. Registration in a course or program does not guarantee the granting of any specific form of Academic Accommodation. Students are expected to contact ALS as early as possible to discuss their accommodation needs if their choices concerning a course or program may be affected by the specific forms of Academic Accommodation granted by the University.

3. Accessible Learning Services (ALS)

Role of ALS

3.1 ALS facilitates a variety of programs and services to assist students with participating fully in University life and maximizing campus accessibility. These may include:

1. confirming whether a student has met the criteria for establishing that a Disability exists and helping to identify appropriate options for Academic Accommodations;
2. providing to a Course faculty, Notifications as to the appropriate types of Academic Accommodation;
3. granting common forms of In-Course Academic Accommodations as described in section 5.1;
4. supporting and facilitating the provision of Academic Accommodations by academic departments;
5. acting as a resource for members of the University community about disability related matters that have an impact on equitable participation in academic life; 
6. assisting the student in developing strategies for managing daily activities relating to academic life in the context of their disability.

Registration

3.2 All students who require Academic Accommodation must register with ALS in accordance with this Policy including applicants who submitted information regarding a Disability as part of the Admission process. Submission of information as part of the Admission process does not satisfy registration requirements for ALS.

3.3 In order to provide Academic Accommodations in a timely fashion, students are expected to set an appointment with ALS as soon as possible.

1. Students who are already attending the University and are registering with ALS for the first time must contact ALS as soon as they are aware that a need for accommodation exists.
2. All new students and any returning students who need to meet with an advisor must normally contact ALS by the end of the first week of classes to book an appointment. If there is an immediate need for an accommodation, students are expected to make this known when booking the appointment.
3. Students who have registered with ALS in a previous semester must reactivate their status within the first 2 weeks of classes for each semester they are enrolled by following instructions on the ALS website or sent to their University email account.

3.4 Efforts will be taken to support students who delay registration with ALS. However, some options may not be available on short notice and may be deferred to a subsequent semester.

ALS Testing Services

3.5 Students who have been approved to write Examinations in the ALS Exam Centre must fill in the test/examination form which can be found at: Accessible Learning Services:  Testing & Examination The form must be completed at least two weeks prior to a scheduled examination date.

3.6 Where Examinations are written in the ALS Exam Centre, ALS is responsible for working with the academic unit to:

1. identify students who will be writing in the ALS Exam Centre at least three working days prior to the scheduled date of the Examination;
2. arrange for copies of the Examination to be available in the ALS Exam Centre on the day before it is to be administered to the student, and returned to the department/school on the first working day following the Examination;
3. arrange for Examinations written in the ALS Exam Centre to be administered normally at the same time as the rest of the class. Exceptions to this policy include, but are not limited to, circumstances when:
   1. granting additional time causes the scheduling of two Examinations to come into conflict;
   2. a Disability precludes the student from being able to write more than one Examination per day;
   3. medication required by the student affects the student’s ability to function at particular times of day;
   4. Examinations are scheduled outside of regularly scheduled class times and/or the ALS Exam Centre is closed.

4. Documentation Requirements

4.1 Students requesting Academic Accommodation must provide appropriate documentation to ALS. The documentation must be from an appropriate Regulated Health Professional who has the authority to diagnose the particular Disability. In the absence of current documentation, students can request Interim Academic Accommodations.  Detailed information on documentation requirements are available at the ALS website.

5. Requests for In-Course Academic Accommodation

5.1 Subject to appropriate documentation, requests for certain common forms of In-Course Academic Accommodation can be granted directly by ALS. These include but are not limited to requests for:

1. note taking;
2. arrangements for appropriate seating in a classroom; 
3. supports for Examinations that are administered by the ALS Exam Centre such as extra time, use of a private or semi-private room, use of a computer, adaptive software or word processor, or access to a reader or scribe.

5.2 Students requesting In-Course Academic Accommodation are responsible for submitting their requests in accordance with deadlines as provided on the ALS website.

5.3 Requests for In-Course Academic Accommodations not in subsection 5.1 are considered “Supplementary Academic Accommodations” and are made directly to Course faculty or the appropriate University units with the support of ALS. Examples may include but are not limited to:

1. audio recording of lectures;
2. use of memory aids or calculators for Examinations;
3. additional time for assignments, or alternate scheduling of Examinations;
4. advanced access to information about readings and assignments; 
5. alternative methods of assessing Essential Requirements.

5.4 ALS provides support to students in learning to negotiate on their own behalf. To that end, ALS encourages students to negotiate directly for Supplementary Academic Accommodations, when appropriate. At the student’s request, ALS may provide assistance in requesting Supplementary Academic Accommodations.

5.5 Course faculty are encouraged to contact ALS to discuss any requested Supplementary Academic Accommodation that is not consistent with the Notification, or if there are questions related to the impact of the Supplementary Academic Accommodation on the Essential Requirements of a course or program.

5.6 If ALS supports the need to have textbooks produced in alternate format (e.g. audio books, Braille or e-text), students must make the necessary arrangements. Students are encouraged to make these arrangements early since it can take 4 to 6 weeks to acquire alternate format text.

6. Supplementary Academic Accommodation Decision Process

6.1 If consensus on Supplementary Academic Accommodation cannot be reached between the student, the Course faculty and ALS, then the Course faculty shall consult as follows with the Program Head or designate.

6.2 If, after the consultation described above, consensus still cannot be reached on the Supplementary Academic Accommodation to be provided, a report will be issued within 5 working days (“Report”) by the Program Head (or designate) to the Vice-Provost (or designate).

6.3 The Report will include the Notification from ALS, the type(s) of Supplementary Academic Accommodation being requested, and the rationale for not granting the request including any concerns regarding its impact on the Essential Requirements of the course or program, if applicable. The Report will also include information about any alternative forms of Supplementary Academic Accommodations that have been considered.

6.4 Within 5 working days of the receipt of the Report, the Vice-Provost (or designate) shall make a decision on the type(s) of Supplementary Academic Accommodation to be granted and advise the parties in writing.

7. Appeal Process

7.1 Decisions by ALS Advisors regarding the In-Course Academic Accommodations under section 5.1 may be appealed to the Associate Director, ALS.

7.2 Decisions by ALS regarding Supplementary Academic Accommodations it will support under Section 5.3 may be appealed to the Associate Director, ALS.

7.3 Decisions by the Vice-Provost (or designate) under 6.4 may be appealed by the student to the Accommodations Appeal Panel.