Student Orientation to Accessibility Resources

SOAR Logo

Welcome to SOAR - A Student Orientation to Accessibility Resources

Are you a new student with a disability preparing to start college at St. Clair?
Did you have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) in high school?
Are you a mature student with a disability?

Our SOAR program is here to help you succeed! This page provides important information and resources to support your transition to college life and accessibility services.

NOTE: If you do not have a disability and arrived here by mistake, but would like to meet with a counsellor for academic or career support, please contact Student Services directly.

 We are here to help everyone succeed.

Section 1: Welcome and Overview

More About Accessibility Services

Accessibility Services supports students with a variety of disabilities, including physical, psychological, mental health, and learning challenges. These supports can be temporary or permanent.

Our services include:

  • Accommodation planning
  • Counselling support
  • Learning Strategist services
  • Assistive technology assistance
  • Accommodated testing
  • Deaf and interpreting services

These services work together to help remove barriers and promote your success at college.

If you do not have a disability but want academic or career counselling, you can still contact Student Services for help.

Section 2: Understanding Accommodation Plans

Documentation and Your Rights

To create your Accommodation Plan, you need to provide current documentation. Examples include:

  • Psycho-educational or psychological assessments (ideally within 5 years) for learning disabilities
  • Functional limitations assessment forms completed by qualified health professionals for physical or psychological disabilities

If your documentation is outdated or missing, temporary accommodations can be provided while you arrange updates.

Your privacy is protected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Your disability diagnosis will only be shared with instructors if you consent. Communication with parents or others requires your permission.

Meeting with your counselor before each semester to update your plan helps keep your supports current.

Section 3: College vs High School Differences

Taking Charge of Your Accessibility Services

In High School In College

To receive support, you must be identified as a student with a disability

School resources help with this identification

You must self-identify as a student needing accessibility services

Supporting documentation is required to identify a diagnosed disability or a verified functional limitation

A formal psychoeducational or psychological assessment is required to verify learning disabilities

An IEP explains your plan to teachers

Your IEP is part of your school record

Teachers are automatically informed of your diagnosis

Accommodation plans are shared with your instructors with your consent

Faculty/instructors are not entitled to know what your diagnosis is (no one is informed unless you choose to tell them)

Modifications to material are allowed

Accommodations may be given

Program requirements may NOT be modified

Accommodations may be given
Your resource teacher contacts you and your parents to arrange meetings and discuss progress

You are responsible for contacting the Student Services office to speak to a counsellor about your disability

You need to make sure your plan is updated and renewed each semester

Your teachers and parents decide what kinds of accommodations and modifications you will receive

You may have some input

You and your counsellor decide what accommodations are appropriate

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act applies, and you decide if you want anyone else involved

Communication with parents cannot occur without your consent

Section 4: Six Steps to Readiness

Now that you understand what an accommodation plan is and how it can work for you, let’s look at how you can Get Ready in Six Steps.

Step 1: Collect Documentation

Students must self-identify with Student Services and submit documentation to support a request for an accommodation plan. The College will provide supports and services to all students with disabilities, both temporary and permanent, with valid supporting documentation. Interim accommodation requests will be received in good faith and can be provided pending receipt of medical documentation.

Students are required to provide the College with current documentation which is:

  • provided by a regulated health professional - qualified in the appropriate specialty area who has treated the student; thorough enough to support the accommodations being considered or requested
  • the functional limitations assessment form (medical form) or psycho-educational assessment (learning disabilities) are two examples of supporting documentation that are accepted to support accommodation plans

Learning Disability: A recent psychological assessment/psychoeducational or neuropsychological assessment (within the last 5 years) which must include a statement of diagnosis by a registered psychologist or psychological associate who is registered by the College of Psychologists. An LD diagnosis is one that reveals average intellectual functioning with a specific processing deficit.

ADHD: A functional limitations form completed by a qualified professional or a psycho-educational/psychological assessment by a registered psychologist or psychological associate who is registered by the College of Psychologists.

Physical: A functional limitations form completed by a medical professional who is registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Physical disabilities include deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low vision, medical conditions and physical Injuries.

Psychological: A functional limitations form completed by a qualified professional accredited by the College of Physicians and Surgeons or a psychological assessment from a registered psychologist or psychological associate who is registered by the College of Psychologists.

Prior to meeting with a St. Clair College counsellor, here are some steps you can be working on:

  • Book an appointment with your regulated health professional (i.e. doctor) and have St. Clair College’s functional limitations form completed.
  • Provide a copy of your psycho-educational assessment current within the last 5 years to confirm a learning disability.
  • Outdated assessment? If possible, arrange for an updated psycho-educational assessment to be completed in preparation for attending college.
  • No assessment? Provide a copy of your IEP. Accommodations can be provided in good faith on a temporary basis. (Your counsellor can discuss options for you to arrange having the assessment updated).

Step 2: Book an Appointment with a Counsellor

Complete the following form to Book an Appointment with a Counsellor.

Request for Accessibility Services Form

Step 3: Be Prepared to Discuss Your Learning Needs

Your personal Academic Accommodation Plan is created by a College counsellor, in consultation with the student and upon review of appropriate documentation as outlined above. The plan outlines reasonable and appropriate accommodations and supports that may assist in overcoming disability-related barriers. These may include in-class, instructional, testing, and out-of-class accommodations to be provided by faculty and staff.

When preparing for the counselling appointment, you may want to:

  • Have an idea about what your accessibility needs are and how we can support you
  • Review your IEP, functional limitations form or assessment
  • Think of potential challenges that you may experience
  • Think of potential solutions to overcome barriers
  • Think of your technology needs
  • Think of services that you may benefit from

https://www.stclaircollege.ca/student-services/counselling-services

Step 4: Get familiar with College Processes

Completed accommodation plans are emailed each semester to the student’s St. Clair College email account and to their professors/instructors with student signed consent. Accommodation plans are dated and valid for a specific academic period.

If adjustments to the plan or clarification regarding any accommodation are required, the student must arrange a meeting with the counsellor to discuss the plan and its implementation.

You may also want to review the College website by checking out the following:

Step 5: Be prepared to ask for help/self-advocate

Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for yourself, and practicing self-advocacy is an important key to success. Part of being a self- advocate is to learn about campus supports and services and how to access them. All College staff are here to support your academic success and are willing to help and guide you.

Students will benefit by asking for help when they need it, and by expressing thoughts and feelings.

  • In College, you are responsible for self-identifying as a student with a Disability and arranging to meet with a Counsellor to create your accommodation plan
  • If your needs are not being met, you need to appropriately communicate your concerns
  • You can communicate with your instructor/professor directly or you can meet with a counsellor to seek support

Step 6: Attend your Orientation

Program orientation generally occurs the week before classes begin. Your program orientation is very important, and we encourage all students to participate.

During orientation, students have the opportunity to meet their program chairperson, program coordinator, and some of their faculty, and to receive important program and course information. Students also receive valuable information from the student government bodies; Student Representative Council (SRC, Windsor), and Thames Students Incorporated (TSI, Chatham).

Virtual Orientation

Your Checklist for Getting Ready

To prepare for college, here are some key actions to take:

  •  Book an appointment with an accessibility counsellor
  •  Bring your documentation to support your accommodation request
  •  Apply for OSAP if eligible
  •  Attend college orientation sessions
  •  Complete the THRIVES student success modules
  •  Be an active self-advocate for your needs
  •  Review your program and course requirements online
  •  Explore the Student Services webpage for more information

Taking these steps will help you start strong and stay on track.

Here are some college links to get you started:

Section 5: OSAP and Financial Supports

Applying for Financial Assistance

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) can provide grants, bursaries, and loans to help fund your education.

If you have a permanent disability, the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) may help cover disability-related costs.

To apply, you will need the disability verification form from OSAP or the Financial Aid Office. An IEP alone is not sufficient.

Visit Ontario's OSAP website or St. Clair’s Financial Aid page for more details.

Section 6: Student Services and Supports

More Ways We Support You

Student Services offers a range of supports, including:

Section 7: Contact and Locations

Contact Student Services at:

Chatham Campus:
chathamstudentservices@stclaircollege.ca
519-354-9100, ext 3306

Windsor Campuses:

Main
studentservices@stclaircollege.ca
519-972-2727, ext 4226

St. Clair Centre for the Arts (SCCA, Downtown)
sccastudentservices@stclaircollege.ca
downtownstudentservices@stclaircollege.ca
519-972-2727, ext. 4348

How to Book an Appointment

Ready to book your appointment? Use the Request for Accessibility Services form to get started.

You can choose an in-person, phone, or virtual appointment. 

If you have questions, feel free to contact Student Services at any of our campus offices.