CAL Guide for Online Students

Online Studies

New Students
Returning Students
Placement Accommodations
Frequently Asked Questions
Exam Accommodations
Student Support Team

New Students

The Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) is committed to ensuring all students have equal access at Algonquin College. The CAL provides academic accommodations and educational support services for students who have permanent and/or temporary disabilities. Services are confidential, free and voluntary.

If you are new to online learning and/or new to registering with the CAL, you are required to self-identify in order to access the CAL services. Further information for students can be found on the CAL website:

• Registering with CAL
• Documentation Requirements
• Student Resources

Returning Students

In order to receive accommodations, students are responsible for ensuring their facilitators receive a copy of the LOA each semester. If you are continuing your studies and would like to continue receiving accommodations in the upcoming semester you may:

1. Download your LOA from the CAL Online Portal and distribute it to your facilitators directly.
   Facilitator contact information can be found in your online course(s) when the courses begin.
2. If you would prefer to have your LOA sent to facilitators on your behalf, please email our Student Success Specialists. Your email should include the following:

a. Student number
b. Full name
c. Semester
d. Copy of your current LOA if available

If you feel changes to your LOA may be required, or if you have a placement in the upcoming semester and wish to receive placement accommodations, please schedule an appointment through the Welcome Centre to have your LOA updated as early as possible.

Placement Accommodations

If you are registered with the CAL and require placement accommodations, you must meet with your CAL Counsellor to develop a placement Letter of Accommodation (LOA) prior to going out in the field. The placement LOA is specifically designed to reflect your needs working in the field, it is very different from your academic LOA. As a result, we highly suggest all CAL learners connect with their counsellors prior to placement in order to determine if placement accommodations would be appropriate and to outline your specific needs should you decide to customize your accommodations for your fieldwork.

Please schedule an appointment through the Welcome Centre to have your placement LOA created as early as possible, and visit the Field Placement Centre for further information and deadlines for preparing for placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Exam Accommodations

Do my courses require in-person exams?

Not all online courses require an in-person exam. Some courses will have an online exam or a final assignment instead. You can check your course outline or course calendar to find out what kind of final assessment your course requires.

How do I book my exams for my online courses (OTTAWA)?

To receive your accommodations when you write your exams, you need to book exams directly with the CAL Test Services. They can be reached at either 613-727-4723 ext. 6092 or by email.

Please ensure you schedule your exam prior to the exam booking deadline. All exam dates and deadlines are available here.

How do I book my exams for my online courses (OUT OF TOWN)?

To book an out of town exam, you will need to find a proctor. Proctors must be educational professionals, including professors, librarians and their designates. To avoid conflict of interest concerns, the proctor may not be a relative, co-worker (including immediate supervisor), neighbour, friend, or person with the same address as the student.

Once your exam is booked, you would submit the CAL Booking Form on the myAC Learner Community Exam Booking System by your exam booking deadline to complete the process.

If you are entitled to exam accommodations, you will need to confirm that your proctor is able to provide you with your accommodations. For example, if you receive extra time you need to confirm that the test centre and/or proctor is able to accommodate up to 5 hour exams.

When can I write my final exam?

There is a date range during which you can write your exams, this is dependent on the start and end dates of your courses. If you wish to confirm your exam period, please contact the Exam Coordinator. You should include your full name, student number, and course information (course code, title, start date) in all correspondence with the college.

Is there a deadline to book or write my exams?

Yes, there are deadlines for both. The deadlines will be in the exam section of your initial eConfirmation email. You will also receive email reminders of the deadlines for both booking and writing exams.

Student Support Team