College and university disability documentation
To receive academic accommodations at an Ontario college or university, students register with the campus accessibility service and provide disability documentation. These services are named differently at different schools, for example Accessible Learning Services (ALS) or Student Accessibility Services (SAS). The practice prepares and completes the documentation these services require, based on a current psychoeducational assessment.
What this service provides
A comprehensive psychoeducational assessment prepared to the documentation standards of Ontario college and university accessibility offices. The report states the nature of any learning disability or ADHD, includes full test scores, describes the academic impact, and recommends specific accommodations such as extra time, note-taking support, or assistive technology.
Who it's for
Incoming and current college and university students who need academic accommodations and have been asked to provide documentation of a disability.
About recency and institutional differences
Requirements differ by institution. Many Ontario universities expect a psychoeducational assessment completed within the last five years, or one completed as an adult, while some accept assessments within three years when adult norms are used. The assessment should document impairments rather than relative weaknesses and, for ADHD, adult functional impacts with recommended accommodations. Confirm the exact rule with your institution's accessibility office.
What you receive
- A comprehensive report formatted to accessibility-office requirements.
- Diagnosis, full scores, and a description of functional impact.
- Specific accommodation recommendations ready to submit when you register.
FAQ
Which document does my college need?
Most ask for a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment from a registered psychologist, with diagnosis, full scores, and accommodation recommendations. The exact recency rule varies by institution.
I was assessed years ago. Is that enough?
It may be too old. Many institutions expect an assessment from within three to five years, or one completed as an adult. Check with your accessibility office.
Can you recommend the accommodations directly?
The report recommends accommodations based on the findings. Your institution decides what to put in place.