Special Considerations & Disability-Related Accommodations
Disability-Related Accommodations
Accessibility Services supports students who experience difficulties affecting their learning in lectures, labs and/or tutorials through academic and fieldwork accommodations. Academic accommodations and services are individualized to each student and the learning needs of each course and program.
If you are experiencing difficulties that affect your learning and suspect you may have a disability, you may want to register with Accessibility Services. Students must register with UTSG Accessibility Services or UTM Accessibility Services, based on the campus for which you are registered.
As a professional faculty, it is the responsibility of the Occupational Therapy Department to graduate students who are able to practice in a clinical capacity. If a student’s disability is of a nature that could compromise (client) safety and well-being in any area of practice, the student may be denied accommodation in accordance to the Department’s Essential Competencies policy printed previously in this section.
Student Responsibilities (Steps to Follow)
Students should follow the following steps:
- Students requiring disability related accommodations are asked to register with Accessibility Services. Accessibility Services will assign the student a Counsellor, and will provide an assessment to identify the needs and accommodations required for the student. Accessibility Services staff will not disclose the student’s disability to anyone outside of the Service without his/her permission.
- Any student registering with Accessibility Services must notify the Graduate Coordinator to ensure they have correct and up-to-date information on required accommodations as recommended by Accessibility Services. The Department’s Request for Special Consideration form should be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator in order to process accommodation requests in advance. Students will be notified via email as to whether their request has been approved.
- Students must speak with each of his or her course instructors at the beginning of each term, and discuss any specific requirements that may be needed in his or her courses. Exam and assignment schedules should be reviewed in case modifications will be necessary (e.g. moving the date of an exam or assignment, writing the exam in a different location). The Request for Special Consideration Form is the best method to document your requests for accommodation.
- Students will review their specific needs with their Counsellor at Accessibility Services, and make arrangements with their Counsellor for any necessary accommodations (e.g. writing exams separately). Students should note that Accessibility Services has deadlines for the registration of these arrangements.
- Students will notify each course instructor of any accommodations relevant to each course.
Note
All accommodations are subject to annual renewal. Fall Session accommodation for returning students, including Test/Exam & Notes, will not be put in place until the Annual Renewal has been completed. Students must book an appointment between May and September to meet with their disability advisor to ensure that his/her accommodations are renewed for the upcoming academic year.
Course Instructor’s Responsibilities
- Course Instructors will do their best to meet all accommodations listed in students’ accommodation letters. In the event that certain needs are unable to be met or are difficult to meet, the student, the Course Instructor, the Graduate Coordinator and UTM Academic Coordinator will meet to address these needs on a case-by-case basis.
- When a separate exam space is required, the Course Instructor will submit the exam to Accommodated Testing Services (UTSG) or Test and Exam Services (UTM) upon request.
Accessibility Services Responsibilities
- Accessibility Services Counsellors will provide an assessment to identify the needs and accommodations required for each individual student registered.
- Accessibility Services Counsellors will organize alternate exam-writing facilities and invigilators at Accessibility Services when necessary. This information will be communicated directly with individual Course Instructors.
- All accommodation arrangements will be copied to the Graduate Coordinator and the Program Manager to ensure all parties are aware of any special needs and accommodations.
Note
The Department strongly recommends that all accommodations are arranged through and provided by Accessibility Services, in order to ensure that all requirements are met. However, if students choose to opt for modified arrangements (i.e. tests written at 500 University Avenue), and Accessibility Services is able to accommodate these requests, students are responsible for this coordination and room allocation.
The Graduate Coordinator will be able to advise any of the above parties in regards to meeting the responsibilities outlined, as necessary. They will maintain a database listing the accommodations required for individual students as recommended by Accessibility Services.
Remedial Work
Students are responsible for self-study, if they experience a lack of background knowledge in a particular area, or difficulty with a particular aspect of a course. The student can choose a self-study program of their own, or ask the Course Instructor or their Faculty Advisor for advice on how to improve understanding of certain material or competence in skills.
Remedial work will only be allowed for serious health problems or exceptional personal circumstances which may adversely affect the student’s performance in the program.
Students with health problems or other personal circumstances, which might adversely affect their performance in, or ability to complete course work, tests, examinations, or other departmental assessments, may request special consideration.