Conestoga provides support and academic accommodation for students with all types of disabilities in keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code. We work with you to understand the impact of your disability in the college environment and develop a plan that considers your goals and the options available to support your full participation in the learning environment.
Programs and services provided by Accessible Learning are made possible through a grant provided by the Ontario Government called the Accessibility Fund for Students with Disabilities. The information published on this website represents the views of the college and not necessarily that of the government.
To discuss possible academic accommodations, please complete the Intake Form and check out New to Accessible Learning below.
To discuss possible academic accommodations, please complete the Intake Form and check out New to Accessible Learning below.
Sign in to Accommodate where you can book an appointment with your advisor to:
Sign in to Accommodate where you can book an appointment with your advisor to:
Pre-admission appointments are for students who wish to speak with an Accessibility Advisor while considering applying to Conestoga. An advisor can meet with you to discuss past supports, interests, program of study, course selection, strengths, challenges, and possible college accommodations.
For more information, email us at accessibility@conestogac.on.ca or call us at 519-748-5220, ext. 3232.
When you have accepted your offer of admission and are ready to explore academic accommodations, please complete our Intake Form. We recommend that you reach out before starting your program, which could be as early as accepting your offer of admission. Early registration will aid in meaningful accommodation planning, connecting you with appropriate college supports and services, and supporting your transition to the college environment.
Please note that certain accommodations can only be guaranteed with sufficient advanced notice. While efforts will be made to accommodate late requests, a delay in registering with Accessible Learning could result in a delay in receiving academic accommodations.
If you have been accepted to Conestoga College and require support from Accessible Learning, we invite you to participate in the C Success Summer Transition Program. C Success is an orientation program designed for students who face barriers to participating in college life. It is an opportunity to learn more about what to expect at college and become familiar with a new learning environment.
To register for the in-person programming, or to sign up for the recorded online workshop, please complete the Student Registration Form. If your campus is not listed, you are welcome to attend the campus location most convenient for you.
This session is for parents wanting to learn more about how to best support their student as they transition to post-secondary. Be sure to fill out the Parent Registration Form to attend.
Please let us know if you need an alternate format of forms, information, or assistance with our procedures. We are happy to help.
Step 1: Fill out the
Intake Form and upload the documentation.
Completing the entire Accessible Learning Intake Form is a necessary first step. Upload your documentation to minimize delay.
Step 2: Book your intake appointment.
Monitor your college email for messages from Accessible Learning. We will review your completed form and let you know about the next steps, which may include instructions for booking your intake appointment.
Step 3: Attend your intake appointment.
Your intake appointment with an Accessibility Advisor will be an hour. Please come prepared to discuss your strengths, barriers, and other details specific to your request for academic accommodations, particularly related to your program or course of study. You are welcome to choose who accompanies you to this appointment; however, the most valuable information about your situation will come from you, and speaking with you directly as much as possible will be our priority.
Please note: for privacy and confidentiality reasons, Accessible Learning will only communicate with you, the student.
Step 4: Activate your accommodations.
You must complete your Semester Request at the start of each semester to activate your accommodations and notify your faculty. Semester Requests should be submitted a few days before your semester begins.
Students who cannot come to campus for an extended period and are looking for academic accommodation for courses only offered in person/on campus are encouraged to speak with us before seeking documentation. These situations tend to have a fair amount of complexity and, when requested for a duration greater than two weeks, can generate additional barriers to academic success and participation.
If you have a documented permanent or temporary disability or are experiencing difficulties that affect your learning, you can register for academic accommodations. Accommodations are determined with your Accessibility Advisor based on:
Depending on your accommodation needs, our office may request additional, updated, or more specific documentation. Receiving this documentation before your first appointment will help us provide an accommodation plan more quickly. Please note: While recommendations will be considered, the college reserves the right to determine the most appropriate accommodations in our context. Our goal is to reach a consensus with you about this, but if you believe we have made an error, you may request an appeal.
If you are new to Accessible Learning, documentation can be uploaded via our Intake Form. Alternatively, it can be uploaded to
Accommodate,
emailed, faxed, or submitted in person.
OSAP requires that a Disability Verification Form (DVF) be completed and uploaded to the student’s OSAP profile on the OSAP Portal for Student Financial Services to confirm permanent or temporary disability. Disability verification with OSAP may allow students to access awards, scholarships, grants, and bursaries. Students must also provide Accessible Learning with a copy of the completed DVF or other relevant medical documentation to implement academic accommodations as needed.
Please note: If you have checked the disability box on your OSAP application but have not completed and uploaded the Disability Verification Form, it may delay your OSAP funding until Student Financial Services confirms disability verification. You may request Student Financial Services to uncheck the box until you have the documents in place. Using the same email address you used in your OSAP application, email
Student Financial Services with your name and student ID number, requesting to remove your disability status. Your status will be adjusted once the completed DVF form is uploaded onto your OSAP student profile and Student Financial Services confirms your disability.
Documentation to confirm a permanent disability may be provided by a qualified healthcare practitioner with training and experience in the area of diagnosis. Examples of qualified practitioners include:
Options of supporting documentation include:
Options of supporting documentation include
If your accommodation request exceeds what your documentation can support, your Accessibility Advisor can direct you to the appropriate source to obtain additional documentation and support. If an updated psychoeducational assessment is needed, the Accessibility Advisor will check to see if you are eligible for funding for reassessment. You will be referred to a psychologist or psychological associate to obtain this documentation if eligible.
If you do not have documentation or are unsure about your eligibility, please indicate this on your intake form. Accommodations may or may not be immediately available, but support and suggestions will be provided. If mental health concerns impact your academic performance, please call Student Health & Wellness at 519-748-5220, ext. 3679, to make an appointment.
For Accessible Learning to provide support that is most appropriate to your circumstances, documentation should meet the following criteria:
All information shared with Accessible Learning will remain confidential to the staff associated with the department. Please refer to the Personal Health Information and Privacy Consent Form (pdf) for more information. Please be aware that email is not a secure method of providing medical information. To send your documentation beforehand, please use our secure fax at 519-748-3507.
Email:
accessibility@conestogac.on.ca
Phone: 519-748-5220, ext. 3232
Fax: 519-748-3507
Our primary office is located at the Kitchener – Doon campus; however, we have staff routinely working at most campuses. Please inquire at the Welcome Desk for in-person assistance at campuses other than the Kitchener – Doon campus.
