<Programs & Services
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
at the University of Toronto
In the corner of the impressive peacock-shaped cement building known to students as Robarts Library lies the key to a barrier-free education.
The University of Toronto’s Accessibility Services (St. George Campus) is designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities and to facilitate their inclusion into all aspects of university life. Students coming from diverse backgrounds and programs such as the Transitional Year Program (an access-to-university program for adults without a formal educational background) are introduced to Accessibility Services in their first year of university. Disabilities are often unrecognized or not evident and can range from physical, sensory, a learning disability or a mental health condition. They can be both temporary such as a recent injury, or more long-term in nature.
The focus of Accessibility Services is on skills development, especially in the areas of self-advocacy and academic prowess. Tracey King, Academic Counselor at the University of Toronto’s First Nations House (FNH), meets with First Nations students regularly to discuss their academic concerns. She primarily focuses on their ability to acquire the necessary academic skills to succeed in their studies. In some instances, King may refer them to Accessibility Services which will then conduct an assessment to see whether the student has a learning disability and will provide concessions dependent upon the disability.
Accessibility Services offers assistance such as note-taking services, additional time to submit a written research paper or to write an examination, provision of adaptive technology (adaptive equipment and assistive devices) and financial aid. One-on-one guidance is also offered with an assigned Disability Advisor, Adaptive Equipment Consultant, Learning Disability Specialist, Occupational Therapists or a sign-language interpreter. Information and resource materials on health conditions and disability related issues, opportunities to meet with academic and administrative units within the University, as well as off-campus agencies are also available.
All information divulged to Accessibility Services is private and confidential, so only the student and their Disability Advisor know about a student’s specific disability(s). When accommodations are arranged for students, the Professor is made aware that the student requires these accommodations because they are registered with Accessibility Services. The nature of their disability is not disclosed so the student’s privacy is respected.
According to King, “Accessibility Services is a tremendously helpful service that many students have accessed, and (is) instrumental in accommodating all learning needs of its students for academic success.” Accessibility offices also play an instructional role in raising awareness of the needs of students with disabilities among students, staff and faculty at the University, as well as the wider community.
Accessibility Services at U of T is located at 130 St. George St., on the north-west corner of St. George and Harbord Street.
Candace Maracle
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
at the University of Toronto
In the corner of the impressive peacock-shaped cement building known to students as Robarts Library lies the key to a barrier-free education.
The University of Toronto’s Accessibility Services (St. George Campus) is designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities and to facilitate their inclusion into all aspects of university life. Students coming from diverse backgrounds and programs such as the Transitional Year Program (an access-to-university program for adults without a formal educational background) are introduced to Accessibility Services in their first year of university. Disabilities are often unrecognized or not evident and can range from physical, sensory, a learning disability or a mental health condition. They can be both temporary such as a recent injury, or more long-term in nature.
The focus of Accessibility Services is on skills development, especially in the areas of self-advocacy and academic prowess. Tracey King, Academic Counselor at the University of Toronto’s First Nations House (FNH), meets with First Nations students regularly to discuss their academic concerns. She primarily focuses on their ability to acquire the necessary academic skills to succeed in their studies. In some instances, King may refer them to Accessibility Services which will then conduct an assessment to see whether the student has a learning disability and will provide concessions dependent upon the disability.
Accessibility Services offers assistance such as note-taking services, additional time to submit a written research paper or to write an examination, provision of adaptive technology (adaptive equipment and assistive devices) and financial aid. One-on-one guidance is also offered with an assigned Disability Advisor, Adaptive Equipment Consultant, Learning Disability Specialist, Occupational Therapists or a sign-language interpreter. Information and resource materials on health conditions and disability related issues, opportunities to meet with academic and administrative units within the University, as well as off-campus agencies are also available.
All information divulged to Accessibility Services is private and confidential, so only the student and their Disability Advisor know about a student’s specific disability(s). When accommodations are arranged for students, the Professor is made aware that the student requires these accommodations because they are registered with Accessibility Services. The nature of their disability is not disclosed so the student’s privacy is respected.
According to King, “Accessibility Services is a tremendously helpful service that many students have accessed, and (is) instrumental in accommodating all learning needs of its students for academic success.” Accessibility offices also play an instructional role in raising awareness of the needs of students with disabilities among students, staff and faculty at the University, as well as the wider community.
Accessibility Services at U of T is located at 130 St. George St., on the north-west corner of St. George and Harbord Street.
Candace Maracle
