ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

TRANSITIONAL RESOURCE GUIDE

Check out this 1-minute YouTube video for a brief overview of the TRG! 

The Transition Resource Guide is here to support students with disabilities in Ontario as they explore different pathways for life after high school. 

Transitional Resources in Post-Secondary 

https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/post-secondary-education/accessibility-in-post-secondary-education

Accessibility Services by Specific College or University

https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/post-secondary-education/research-schools

Transition Resources for Apprenticeship, Community, Post-Secondary, Workplace

 https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca

Test Your Knowledge

True or False?

Students with a permanent disability have to take a full course load (60% or more) in order to be eligible for OSAP.

False. Students with a verified permanent disability may be considered full-time for OSAP purposes when they are taking at least 40% of a full course load. The definition of a full course load is determined by the postsecondary institution.

True or False?

Educational institutions have a legal duty to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities to support equitable access to education.

True. Postsecondary institutions have a legal duty to accommodate students with disabilities to the point of undue hardship. Accommodations are designed to provide equitable access and participation in education.

True or False?

All postsecondary institutions use the same name for the office that supports students with disabilities.

False. Postsecondary institutions use different names, such as Accessibility Services, Disability Services, AccessAbility Services, or Student Accessibility Services. These offices generally support students with disabilities by arranging academic accommodations and accessibility-related supports.

True or False?

Students with disabilities may be eligible for accommodations such as extra time on exams, a separate exam location, access to assistive technology, note-taking support, or exam scheduling accommodations.

True. Depending on the student's disability-related needs and the institution's accommodation process, students may receive a variety of academic accommodations. Accommodations are determined on an individual basis and are not necessarily the same for every student.

True or False?

Your Individual Education Plan (IEP) from high school is the only documentation you need to receive accommodations in postsecondary education.

False. An IEP may be helpful documentation, but it is not necessarily sufficient on its own. Each postsecondary institution has its own documentation requirements. Depending on the disability and the accommodation requested, additional documentation from a qualified healthcare or other regulated professional may be required.

Tip: Before graduating from high school, keep copies of important documents such as your IEP and psychoeducational assessment. Check the accessibility services website of your future postsecondary institution to find out what documentation they require.

True or False?

Students with a permanent disability may be eligible for additional grants, bursaries, or other financial assistance in addition to OSAP.

True. Students with permanent disabilities may be eligible for additional disability-related grants and other financial assistance. Eligibility depends on the program and the student's circumstances.

True or False?

Your postsecondary institution will automatically contact you after you graduate from high school to arrange accommodations.

False. Accommodations are not automatically transferred from high school to postsecondary education. If you want to receive accommodations, you should contact the accessibility/disability services office at your postsecondary institution and learn about its registration and documentation process as early as possible.

True or False?

Students can use resources such as sample letters and communication guides to help them discuss their accommodation needs with instructors.

True. Many postsecondary institutions and transition organizations provide resources to help students communicate their accommodation needs. Remember that you generally do not need to disclose your diagnosis to your professor. You may instead communicate the accommodations you require and follow your institution's process for arranging them.