Academic Accommodations and You | Academic Newsletter | Seneca Polytechnic

by David Johnston and Daniel Fok, Counselling and Accessibility Services

in the Winter 2017 issue

In March 2016, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) set out a number of recommendations regarding academic accommodations in post-secondary institutions. Over the years, Seneca and its staff have worked hard to ensure that students with disabilities are on a level playing field by providing accessible services and academic accommodations. As a result, we were well positioned to comply with the OHRC recommendations and enable students with different abilities to reach their academic potential.

In the past 9 months, Seneca has been required to make a number of changes to the academic accommodation process:

• Counselling and Accessibility Services (CnAS) now accepts a Functional Limitation Assessment Form completed by a Regulated Health Professional for determining academic accommodations.
• Requests for retroactive academic accommodation will be reviewed and given meaningful consideration on a case-by-case basis as specified by the OHRC.
• CnAS distributes Accommodation Letters directly to academic departments and faculty.

A notable positive outcome in this new process is the increased dialogue between Academic departments and CnAS. Let's keep the momentum going and continue the collaboration!

It is important for you to know that in order to support Seneca’s efforts to meet OHRC best practice guidelines, the following statement will be included in your course syllabus:

If you are a student with a disability or personal concerns, visit the Counselling and Accessibility Services office to discuss possible academic accommodations and supports. For more information, visit the following websites:

• Seneca Counselling and Accessibility Services (including location and contact information): www.senecacollege.ca/students/counselling/
• Seneca Accessibility and Accommodation Plan: www.senecacollege.ca/about/aoda-plan/index.html
• Ontario Human Rights Commission - Mental Health Policy: www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-preventing-discrimination-based-mental-health-disabilities-and-addictions

View the Winter 2017 issue of the Academic Newsletter.