Partners in Accessibility at Laurentian

With PAL, you and other incoming students with disabilities will learn about and experience presentations and workshops on:

Time Management
Self-Advocacy
Overview of Support Services
Accommodation Planning

And so much more! Our Partners in Accessibility transition program is designed to provide learning and support opportunities for students throughout their first year of studies.

Students will receive details via their Laurentian email address in advance of the workshop offerings.

All are welcome!

Frequently Asked Questions

I am a student with a disability who will be coming to Laurentian, how do I receive support and accommodation?

To access accommodations, students must register with Accessibility Services. This process includes self-identifying as a student with a disability and submitting documentation of functional limitations within an academic environment.

To register, you must complete a registration form and book an appointment with Accessibility Services. Please contact us either by phone or email to make an appointment.

Accessibility Services
Parker Building, P-230
705-675-1151 ext. 3324

accessibilityservicesinfo@laurentian.ca

I have an IEP, will this transfer to Laurentian University?

If you have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), we encourage you to register with our office as soon as you are onboarded as a student. While you are welcome to bring your IEP for information purposes, please note that an IEP alone is not sufficient documentation. We require documentation completed by a registered healthcare professional.

If you have any questions about acceptable documentation, please contact our office for clarification.

How do I receive accommodations for Residence?

It is highly recommended that students register with Accessibility Services as soon as possible to complete the accommodation process and apply for Residence by the following deadlines: July 1st for the Fall semester, November 1st for the Winter semester, and March 1st for the Spring semester.

Requests submitted after these deadlines will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis but may result in further delays in the approval process.

I require a Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal, how do I proceed?

Students who require an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) as an approved accommodation in Residence must complete the following process. We require comprehensive documentation, including: evidence of the disability-related functional limitations necessitating the ESA; detailed documentation explaining how the animal will address the identified functional limitations; spay/neuter records (if applicable), city animal registration (if applicable); up-to-date vaccination and veterinary records; and identification of an alternative caregiver for the animal.

Following the successful submission and review of these documents, the student will complete a Student Agreement with the Accessibility Services Office and Residence, outlining the expectations for the ESA within the residential environment.

Students are not permitted to bring animals onto campus or into residence until the accommodation process is complete and they have received approval from both Accessibility Services and Laurentian University Residence. Please note that only one animal is permitted per apartment (MSR, East, West, SSR). Service animals are not permitted in UC Residence.

Please contact the Accessibility Services office to begin this process or for more information.

Upcoming Workshops

The Accessibility Services Team is currently planning the upcoming workshop offerings for the 2026/2027 academic year. Check back over the summer for more information!

Navigating Your Transition to University

Shifting from high school to university is a big step. Our dedicated team is here to help new students with disabilities confidently manage the transition to Laurentian University.

Tip #1: Don't wait until classes start to get connected with on-campus support services! Reach out to departments like Accessibility Services or Residence during the summer to get your supports set up.

Tip #2: Start getting in the habit of checking emails daily. Once activated, your Laurentian email address will be the University's primary and official way to contact you. Professors and campus services will not use your personal email, so check it daily to ensure you never miss crucial deadlines, class updates, or important announcements. When sending emails, be sure to always include your student number!

Explore our curated resources below to help students and families better understand post-secondary expectations, differences, and campus life.

Chart of Differences Between High School and Post-Secondary

Transition Resource for Students with Disabilities

Managing Stress and Anxiety