COVID-19
Accessibility Services is working diligently to ensure that students with disabilities are supported during the COVID-19 pandemic and can continue their degree completion with appropriate academic accommodation.
If you would like to schedule a virtual appointment, please contact us Toll Free at 1-800-461-4030 ext.:3324 or 705-675-1151 ext.:3324, or by email at accessibilityservicesinfo@laurentian.ca.
1) I am a new student and don’t know how to register for services.
Please go to the Accessibility Services website for information on how to register for services.
2) I am a returning student and I have previously written my tests and exams in the Accessibility Services Testing Centre. Will it be the same process this year?
No. Face-to-face tests, midterms, exams or evaluations will be very limited during the Fall 2020 semester, and/or before the beginning of Phase 3 of returning to campus operations.
3) Do I need to register with Accessibility Services even if there are no face-to-face exams?
Yes. Students requiring evaluation accommodations must register with their respective Accessibility Advisor. Please send an email to accessibilityservicesinfo@laurentian.ca, or phone the front desk at 705-675-1151, ext. 3324 to book a phone call or virtual appointment as early as possible to ensure accommodations can be arranged in a timely manner.
4) Do I still need to book my tests and exams through the Accessibility Services online booking portal?
Yes, all students requiring testing (evaluation) accommodations, please book all quizzes, tests, midterms and exams through the online booking portal; all bookings should be made at least 7 days in advance. The Accessibility Services office needs to be aware of all upcoming evaluations to ensure that each student’s accommodations are in place for each evaluation.
5) If there are no face-to-face evaluations, where will I be writing them?
Depending on the type of evaluation (timed D2L evaluation, take-home exam, assignment, etc.), students are responsible for selecting an environment in which they will not be disrupted, in their home, or an alternative suitable space. If students reside with other people, they are encouraged to inform their cohabitants prior to the evaluation to avoid being disturbed, and select a comfortable space for the duration of the evaluation. Students distracted by background noise (ex: construction, dogs barking, etc.), are encouraged to use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
6) Am I permitted food and/or drink during my timed evaluation?
Yes, students are asked to have food and/or drink ready at their desk prior to the start of the evaluation. Students will not be permitted to get up to go get food or drink once they have started writing. Also note that breaks for food or drink will be included in the evaluation time and the timer will not stop.
7) How will I get my extra time accommodations for tests, exams or other timed evaluations?
Course instructors will be responsible for adding extra time to timed D2L evaluations, whether it is a synchronous proctored evaluation, or an evaluation that needs to be uploaded to the D2L dropbox. The Accessibility Services Exam Coordinator will communicate with course instructors one week prior to the evaluation date to ensure that the extra time has been added.
8) If my Instructor is giving us 24 hours or more to complete an evaluation, do I still get my extra time accommodation?
Instructors are being encouraged to implement Universal Design Learning principles. Students given a larger window of time (ex. one week) to complete an assignment that will normally require a set number of hours (e.g. 3 hrs) are to complete it on their own time and submit it by a deadline set by the instructor. Students who normally require extra time should budget extra time in the set window if time to devote to this activity and do not necessarily need a larger window of time. Students who believe they would still require this accommodation are asked to contact their Accessibility Advisor for assistance prior to the evaluation date.
9) What do I do if my instructor has opted to proctor my exam through Zoom and is not able to supervise me during my extra time accommodation?
Please contact the Exam Coordinator by email: accessibilityexams@laurentian.ca at least 7 days in advance. Each request will be considered case by case.
10) If my Instructor will be supervising me, do I still need to book my evaluation on Accessibility Services’ online portal?
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If the student does not require evaluation accommodations for a particular course, they do not need to book it in Accessibility Services’ online portal.
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If the student requires evaluation accommodations, then the evaluation booking through the portal is required. Accessibility Services need to be aware of every evaluation for which students require accommodations.
11) What will happen if there is a technical issue with the internet and I get disconnected from the synchronous evaluation?
Every student needs to ensure that they have a strong internet connection prior to any remote evaluation. If students are being proctored by Accessibility Services when the connection is disrupted, they are asked to please phone the Accessibility Services’ Exam Coordinator immediately at 705-675-1151, ext. 3309 so that the course instructor may be informed. Each incident will be handled case by case.
12) Am I allowed to use the washroom during my synchronous proctored evaluation?
Yes. Students must inform the proctor prior to leaving their seat when a washroom break is needed. The start and return time of the break will be noted, however the timer on the evaluation will not be stopped.
13) I require a scribe for my evaluations. How will this be handled?
A scribe will be assigned to students by the Accessibility Services Exam Coordinator.
14) I need assistive technology for all evaluations. How will this work?
Students are encouraged to communicate with their Accessibility Advisor for all needs requiring assistive technology or special software. The Accessibility Advisors will work with Accessibility Services' Exam Coordinator to facilitate this accommodation on a case by case basis.
The Accessibility Services team is available to support you with any accessibility concerns as students transition to remotely delivered and/or online classes and evaluations. Please email accessibilityservicesinfo@laurentian.ca for assistance.
Stay positive, stay healthy.
What does Accessibility Services do?
The Accessibility Services Office offers support for students with many types of disabilities so they can participate in all aspects of their academic experience at Laurentian University.
If you have, or suspect that you may have a disability, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone at 705-675-1151, ext. 3324 or by email at accessibilityservicesinfo@laurentian.ca
Transition Program
Partners in Accessibility at Laurentian (PAL) is a FREE one-day transition program for students with disabilities.
If you would like more information about the program please click here or contact us at pal@laurentian.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
In order to receive support and accommodation you must self-identify as a student with a disability to Accessibility Services, provide us with documentation regarding your functional limitations, and register with Accessibility Services.
To register, you must complete a request form and book an appointment with Accessibility Services. Please contact us either by phone, email or TTY to make an appointment.
Accessibility Services
Parker Building, P-230
Tel: 675-1151 ext. 3324
Fax: 705-675-4807
Email : accessibilityservicesinfo@laurentian.ca
TTY: 705-671-6617
You may want to contact Accessibility Services as soon as you have received your acceptance, sometime prior to school starting, or within the first week of school. After this initial meeting you will be asked to meet with an Accessibility Advisor to further your accommodation process. This will ensure that you are properly registered for our services.
Accessibility Services
Parker Building, P-230
Tel: 675-1151 ext. 3324
Fax: 705-675-4807
Email : accessibilityservicesinfo@laurentian.ca
TTY: 705-671-6617
To register with Accessibility Services, students must provide documentation confirming the presence of a disability or medical condition and stating whether this disability or condition is permanent or temporary. Please note that under the Ontario Human Rights Code, students are not required to disclose their diagnosis in order to access accommodations.
Students who need accommodations are asked to provide documentation from a qualified professional. This documentation must describe the student’s disability-related academic functional limitations in order to help Accessibility Services assess and establish the student’s accommodations.
Accessibility Services' Documentation Form
Print or download the PDF version of Accessibility Services' Documentation Form. This form must be filled out a qualified professional and be returned to Accessibility Services as soon as possible.
- Learning strategies
- Time-management and study skills
- Note-taking strategies
- Assistive technology & training
- A testing centre for students who require testing accommodations.
- Alternative learning materials
Yes. Students in need of our services are encouraged to attend our FREE one-day transition program. This program is known as our "PAL" program. The schedule and application form can be found here.
It is encouraged that students apply for OSAP even if they do not believe to be eligible, because they may qualify for the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) and also to qualify for the Federal Opportunity Grant, based on disability related needs.
The Bursary for Students with disabilities may cover such disability related needs as tutoring, assistive software, technology equipment and computers. Please contact an Advisor for more details.