What is an Accommodation?

The term "accommodation" refers to any service, equipment or arrangement that is put in place by the University of Toronto to support students with disabilities in the university setting.

It can also be understood in its regular sense, as the University attempts to accommodate any particular physical needs that a student may have in order to aid them in performing to their full academic potential.

What is offered?

Some of the test and exam accommodations offered:
extra time to write
a private space in which to write
ergonomic furniture
access to medication
access to adaptive computer software and alternate test and exam formats such as enlarged print or Braille

There are more than 50 different available accommodations from which a student's authorized set are drawn.

How are accommodations assessed?

Every student who is authorized for test and exam accommodations is assigned a unique set of accommodations by his/her advisor at Accessibility Services. Which test and exam accommodations are authorized, if any, is based on the student's diagnosis, documentation, and disability-related academic challenges.

According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, "the essence of accommodating people with disabilities is individualization... [E]ach person with a disability must be considered, assessed and accommodated individually." OHRC recommends accommodation that "respects the dignity of the individual with a disability, meets individual needs, best promotes integration and full participation, and ensures confidentiality."

What is the aim?

Accommodations are offered to make up for the fact that the most popular methods for transmitting academic information - including keyboards, pens and timed verbal responses - do not permit 100% of the population to adequately present its academic knowledge. Therefore, expanded methods of transmission are offered through Test and Exam Services.

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