Accessibility Services | St. Clair College

The College will provide support 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. Retroactive accommodations will be considered based on the unique circumstances of the individual matter. The College will give all Human Rights Code-related requests for accommodation meaningful consideration.

The student is responsible for meeting with a counsellor in Accessibility Services to discuss their functional limitations and accommodation needs and provide Accessibility Services with supporting documentation. Students are not required under the Ontario Human Rights Code to disclose their disability diagnosis (except Learning Disabilities) to receive accessibility support and services and/or academic accommodations. Students are encouraged to meet with a counsellor before a semester starts.

How to Receive Services

To book an appointment with a college counsellor you may use any of the following methods:

Windsor:
(519) 972-2727 ext. 4226
studentservices@stclaircollege.ca
Room A2110

Chatham:
(519) 354-9100 ext. 3306
chathamstudentservices@stclaircollege.ca
Room W1023

Downtown Campus:
Zekelman School of Business (1 Riverside Dr. W.)
519-966-1656 ext. 4348
downtownstudentservices@stclaircollege.ca
Room R1011

Appropriate Documentation By Disability

A recent psychological assessment/psycho-educational 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.

A Functional Limitations Form (available from Student Services) or a recent psychological assessment (Psycho-educational assessment) 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.

A Functional Limitations Form (available from Student Services) from a medical professional registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Physical disabilities include Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Blind/Low Vision, Medical Conditions and Physical Injuries.

A Functional Limitations Form (available from Student Services) 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.

The Academic Accommodation Plan

An 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 learning accommodations and supports that may assist in overcoming disability-related learning barriers. They do not include modifications to the student's program and courses.

Academic Accommodation Plans are prepared in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

The Process

Students must self-identify with Accessibility Services and submit their documentation. The student and counsellor then meet to develop the Accommodation Plan which outlines the in-class, instructional, testing, and out-of-class accommodations to be provided by faculty and staff. 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.
Completed Accommodation Plans are emailed to the student’s St. Clair College email account and their professors/instructors each semester with student-signed consent. Accommodation Plans are dated and valid for a specific academic period.

Types of Accommodations

Students may receive additional time for tests, quiet room, or use of assistive techology during tests. Accommodated testing takes place in the Testing Lab in Student Services. Students write tests on the same day and time as the rest of the class. To be guaranteed the accommodated testing time, e.g., 1.5 times, it may be necessary for the student to begin their test earlier.

Although tests are usually written in the Student Services Testing Lab, students have the right to choose to write a test in the classroom instead, however, extra time can only be guaranteed if writing in Student Services.

Many students require a reduced course load to be successful in their program. This means that the number of courses in which the student is registered in a semester is less than a full load. It does not mean that the student will do less work/assignments/evaluations within each course. Students must complete all program courses and requirements to graduate.

Students should consult with their coordinator and the Registrar's Office regarding the implications of a reduced course load on OSAP, tuition or program course selection.

Accessibility funding may be available for students through scholarships, bursaries and OSAP funding. Please visit the Financial Aid webpage or contact the Financial Aid office at St. Clair College for details.