Accessibility Services

Seeking disability-related supports and/or accommodations?

Connect with Accessibility Services

Step #1: Gather Relevant Documentation

Documentation Requirements

St. Lawrence College supports student with permanent and/or temporary disabilities. Interim accommodations may be provided to students who are being assessed or waiting on documentation.

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, it is not a requirement to provide a specific diagnosis to access accommodations and support services. Disclosure of a diagnosis may be required for some government financial aid programs for students with disabilities.

If you have a learning disability, you need a current psycho-educational assessment completed by a Psychologist or Psychological Associate (within the last 5 years or as an adult), confirming your functional limitations.

If you have physical or mental health concerns (examples listed below), your regulated health care practitioner can complete the Confirmation of Disability Form, or provide similar documentation confirming your functional limitations.

• acquired brain injury
• hearing impairment (deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing)
• medical condition
• mental health diagnosis (e.g. depression, anxiety, ADHD, ASD)
• physical disability or mobility impairment
• vision impairment (blind or partially sighted)

Please Note:

• An IEP provides background information, but does not confirm a disability or related functional limitations.
• A regulated health care practitioner is someone who is capable of providing confirmation of a disability and providing the functional limitations that may affect your academic functioning.
• Requests for retroactive accommodations for students with disabilities are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Do you have questions? Contact our tri-campus email at accessibility@sl.on.ca for more information.

Step #2: Book an Intake Appointment

• WHEN can you meet with us?

We encourage you to connect with us and book an appointment as soon as possible. For example, if you are starting classes in September, please book with us in early May.

• HOW can you book your appointment?

Call or drop by your campus to book an appointment with us:

• Kingston: 613.544.5400, extension 5504, Room 01230
• Brockville: 613.345.0660, extension 3111, Room 100
• Cornwall: 613.933.6080, extension 2709, Room M1460

Step #3: Apply for financial aid and disability-related funding

To Apply for Financial Aid through Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), visit the OSAP website.

You may qualify for disability-related grants and bursaries that can support services and equipment.

Please contact your campus Financial Aid Office for more information:

• Kingston: 613.544.5400, ext. 1185, 1507 or 1287
• Brockville: 613.345.0660, ext. 3230
• Cornwall: 613.933.6080, ext. 2709

St. Lawrence College is committed to making our resources usable by all people, whatever their abilities or disabilities. This information will be made available in alternative format upon request to accessibility@sl.on.ca

Welcome back! As you go through another academic year, know that Student Wellness & Accessibility continue to be here to support you.

Let’s get started with some quick links:

• Accessibility Services: Student Reference Guide, 2024-2025 It is recommended that all students who are registered with Accessibility Services read this guide.
• Academic Accommodations Student Responsibilities Form
• Accessible Test Centres
• Alternative Format Textbook Request

Adaptive or Assistive Technology (AT) is a generic term that includes any piece of equipment or software that is used to increase efficiency, maintain function, or improve the capability of individuals with disabilities. AT is used to achieve greater independence while compensating for any functional deficits.

The Adaptive Technologists work closely with the Counsellors/Accessibility Advisors in supporting students with disabilities. After a referral, students may see an Adaptive Technologist for:

• An AT assessment and/or review of existing AT
• Assistance with the ordering/purchasing process
• On-going training and troubleshooting needs

Find out more at:  Adaptive Technology Services 

Learning and taking classes remotely from home may have its challenges. Here are some options for assistive technology: Assistive Technology Options.

Students who are registered with Student Wellness & Accessibility may be eligible for alternative format textbooks based on their disability. If you are eligible, you will need to submit a request for the textbooks that you require in alternative format every semester. Please note our staff already have access to the booklists; students are not required to provide them.

Steps to request:

• Save a copy to your computer/device. This can be uploaded with the online form.

Step 1: Obtain a copy of proof that you have purchased the textbooks that you require in altformat. One of these three types of proof-of purchase will suffice.

1) For books purchased new or used, receipts/invoices must contain the following: 

• book title(s)
• place of purchase
• date of purchase
• amount paid

2) For books purchased second-hand from a non-traditional marketplace (eBay, Kijiji, Facebook, etc), please write your name in pen on the title page of the book and include your student card next to it. A photo will suffice to prove you own the book. Please follow the example in this image.

3) For books rented, please provide a copy of your rental agreement.

• Take a clear photo, scan or screenshot of your book receipt. This can be uploaded with the online form.

If you do NOT have your book receipt, please contact altmedia@sl.on.ca.

Step 2: Complete Alternative Textbook Request Form

• Complete the online Alternative Format Textbook & Educational Materials Request Form, attaching the book list and book receipt(s) when prompted.

If you need assistance, please contact altmedia@sl.on.ca.

For more information about Accessible Library Services at SLC, visit this page.

Learning Coaches:

• work with students with disabilities; they are professional employees hired by our college and are not students
• may act as scribes, readers or proctors for testing accommodations
• in study sessions, provide assistance in areas such as time management, assignment organization, study skills, and testing strategies. Learning Coaches are not academic/subject related tutors.

Please contact Student Wellness & Accessibility for more information on Learning Coach Supports.

Learning and taking classes remotely from home may have its challenges. Here are some learning strategy tips that may help:

• Learning from Home: Learning Strategy Tips
• Other resources

Learning Strategies (LS) are active plans or approaches that help you to learn more effectively and efficiently.

Our Learning Strategists assist students with the development of skills and motivation necessary for academic success. Learning Strategy appointments use a one-on-one approach with a focus on the individual needs of each student. Learning Strategists and students work collaboratively to create a plan to work on skills such as time management, organization, note-taking strategies, effective textbook-reading methods, study practices, and more.

Anyone is welcome to our Learning Strategy resources below.

To find out more information on our Learning Strategy Services, please contact accessibility@sl.on.ca or contact your campus Student Wellness & Accessibility Office.

St. Lawrence College recognizes its duty to accommodate a person with a disability accompanied by a guide/signal dog or a service animal, as per the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Accommodations for service animals are implemented based on medical documentation verifying disability and need for a service animal. Student Wellness & Accessibility will assist in processing all service animal requirements for students. Please review the full Service Animal Policy for details. Instructions and documentation are available here: Service Animal Policy.

Forms:

Service Animal - Instructions

Service Animal Request Form

Contract for Service Animal and Partner

Please contact Student Wellness & Accessibility for more information on the registration process for Service Animals.

• Peer Note-takers are assigned to take classroom notes for classmates who have note-taking as an accommodation. This support allows the student to focus on listening to the professor and on the information being delivered.

  Students receiving notes from a Peer Note-taker are registered with Student Wellness & Accessibility.

  Become a Peer Note-taker:

  • Peer Note-takers are classmates of the student and are familiar with the subject matter.
  • Peer Note-takers are responsible for: recording the content of the classes in an organized and legible manner, being in good academic standing, attending class regularly and maintaining confidentiality.
  • In order to maintain confidentiality, the note-taker is to scan his or her notes within 24 hours of class ending and email them directly to the Learning Coach Coordinator of their campus.
  • If a Peer Note-taker is absent from class the student must make alternate arrangements by either asking another student or seeking assistance from the Peer Note-Taking Coordinator
  • Peer Note-takers will receive a $85 Honorarium per course at the end of each semester upon successful completion of their duties.
  • Peer Note-takers will also receive Student Life Credits for their services, and is a nice addition to a resume.

  For more information, please contact peernotetaking@sl.on.ca.

  To apply, please fill out the Peer Note-taker Application Form