Centre for Accessible Learning

Step 1: Complete the confidential Request for Support form. You can print or complete the form electronically. Request for Support Form
Step 2: Gather your supporting documentation. Review our documentation requirements
Step 3: Submit your Request for Support form and documentation to CAL via email to calpembroke@algonquincollege.com

Please do not fax or mail documents to CAL as staff are not on campus to receive it.

To protect your personal information, it is recommended you use one or more of the following security options when submitting the Request for Support and/or medical documentation

1. When possible, use your Algonquin College email account (********@algonquinlive.com)
2. Add a password to the documents you are submitting. Important: Send the password in a separate email so your documents can be opened

After you submit your application, our team will review your documentation and contact you to arrange an appointment with the appropriate staff member.

Interim Accommodations

Interim (temporary) accommodations may be provided for students who are in the process of being assessed for a disability. Please complete the steps above to access services. For more information, email calpembroke@algonquincollege.com or call 613-735-4700 ext. 2665.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible campus. We provide support to students with visible and non-visible disabilities who self-identify through accessibility, advocacy, accommodation, and awareness.
What should I expect during my first appointment with a Disabilities Counsellor?

During a First Disabilities Counsellor appointment, you will:

• Learn about the resources available through the CAL as well as the process for accessing them
• Review how your information is kept confidential
• Participate in determining appropriate accommodations to support your learning
• Review the process for accessing in-class and testing accommodations
• Learn about other services and supports at Algonquin College

What should I consider before my first appointment?

To make the best use of your time with your Disabilities Counsellor, it can be helpful to do the following before your appointment:

• Be aware of what accommodations you accessed in your previous education or work
• Review your college program details including the program overview, success factors, and list of courses if applicable
• Know how your disability affects your academic skills and participation in your program
• Know whether you are eligible to access OSAP. If you are, your Disabilities Counsellor will discuss the option for you to apply for the Bursary for Students With Disabilities (BSWD)

Key Resource Videos

Please watch the four videos or read the “Key Resources Brochure” found below the videos.

What is the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL)?

The CAL Team Approach

The Letter of Accommodation (LOA)

CAL Test Services

Get to Know CAL Resources: Please review the Key Resources Info Sheet (PDF) 

Please review The Summary of CAL Privacy of Information and Consent Form before your first appointment.  During your appointment with a Disabilities Counsellor, you will review how your information is kept confidential with the CAL and will be able to ask for clarification before signing.  You will also have the opportunity to consent to release information to select individuals in the college environment.

Here are things to keep in mind:

• It is your choice to access CAL services
• All CAL records are stored securely and kept confidential
• You and your Disabilities Counsellor will discuss who may be provided with information concerning your accommodation-related needs
• There are limits to confidentiality, which your Disabilities Counsellor will review with you

You can also review information about Confidentiality at CAL here.

What are my responsibilities as an Algonquin College student accessing CAL services?

As an Algonquin College student, you are responsible for:

Provide appropriate documentation to the CAL describing the functional impacts of your disability

• Contact your Disabilities Counsellor if your Letter of Accommodation (LOA) needs to be updated
• Ensure your instructors get a copy of your LOA each time if you wish to access your accommodations for courses. You may either provide instructors with a copy on your own or ask for CAL assistance
• Communicate with your instructors about your accommodation needs. If needed, you are welcome to ask CAL staff for assistance
• Book tests and exams for which you require accommodations through CAL Test Services at least 7 days before the test date and 21 days before final assessment week
• Email calpembroke@algonquincollege.com or phone 613-735-4700 ext.2665 or drop by room 126 to book appointments
• Access other Algonquin College services when needed
• Explore options for Financial Aid to help you with disability-related expenses (if applicable)
• Abide by departmental, school, and College policies

Disabilities Counselling – Steven Sheinfeld

Each student registered with the CAL is assigned to a Disabilities Counsellor (DC), who uses a client-centred approach to provide confidential disability-related counselling and advocacy services to assist with academic needs. A Disabilities Counsellor reviews your documentation and provides you with access to appropriate academic accommodations. The accommodations that you receive are based on a review of your documentation and consultation with your Disabilities Counsellor.

Assistive Technology Support – Lorrita McKnight

The Assistive Technologist works with you to find the right technology to help you succeed in your studies. At your initial appointment, the Assistive Technologist will perform an AT Needs Assessment. This involves reading through your disability-related documentation and exploring your strengths and your disability-related weaknesses and their impact on your courses. The Assistive Technologist then works together with you and other CAL staff to connect you with, and train you to use, technology that can help you. After you’ve used your technology for a few weeks, the Assistive Technologist will follow up to get your feedback on how your technology is working for you. If it’s working well, the Assistive Technologist will make an AT Recommendation for you, which can help with the process of obtaining your own devices; if the technology is not helpful, the Assistive Technologist will start the process again and look for other technology options. 

Learning Strategy Support- Sheila O’Brien

Learning strategies are tools or methods that you can use to get prepared and perform your best in your classes. The Centre for Accessible Learning has a team of Learning Strategists who can help you become a more effective learner in the college environment. Any student registered with the CAL can access the services of the LS through one-on-one sessions or as a part of a small group workshop. Taking into account your learning style, your strengths and your specific learning challenges, a learning strategist helps you to understand how you learn best and guides you on how to achieve your academic goals.

Testing Accommodations

CAL Test Services provides a quiet accommodated writing environment for students with disabilities when those needs cannot be met in the classroom. Students who are registered with the CAL and have a current Letter of Accommodation (LOA) can book their tests/exams with CAL Test Services. Students must provide the Professor with a copy of the LOA if they intend to write in CAL Test Services.

CAL Test Services provides in-person and virtual proctoring support on behalf of the faculty when accommodations cannot be delivered in the classroom environment.

When accommodations cannot be provided in the classroom environment, students must complete a booking request through the CAL Student Portal for each virtual or in-person test/exam.

Bookings must be made on the CAL Student Portal at least 7 days in advance for quizzes, midterms, and tests. Final exams must be booked before the posted deadlines for each term.

Students can book in-person or virtual tests/exams by using the CAL Student Portal.

Students enrolled in the BScN program are asked to email a copy of their course timetable to calpembroke@algonquincollege.com at the beginning of the term. CAL Test Services will add the courses to the students’ file and students will then be able to book their own tests using the CAL Student Portal.

Students enrolled in Academic Upgrading are asked to email calpembroke@algonquincollege.com to book their tests/exams.

Once students submit a test booking, faculty will receive an email notification from CAL Test Services to review and approve the booking through the CAL Faculty Portal.

Students can review the status and location of test/exam bookings with CAL Test Services on the CAL Student Portal. Click the “My Upcoming Events” tab for details.

The daily testing schedule will be posted in the click frame on the wall outside Room 126. Students can check for the details of their test/exam on this schedule.

CAL Test Services will send the Zoom invitation with all the necessary details.

Absolutely, if your accommodation needs can be met in the classroom.

Students requiring support with the use of assistive technology to complete a test or exam must meet with the Assistive Technologist (AT) to receive technical support and training.

Students can schedule an appointment to meet with the AT by calling 613-735-4700 ext. 2665 or emailing calpembroke@algonquincollege.com.

In-person with CAL Test Services: CAL Test Services will ensure students have access to assistive technology as per their LOA.

Virtual: It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are familiar with the software and that it is functioning properly for the scheduled test/exam.

Students must submit a copy of their Letter of Accommodation (LOA) to their professors at least once over the course of the semester.

Students can access and review their LOA through the CAL Student Portal.

• Select the “Letters of Accommodation” icon.
• Click the “Accommodations” tab and follow the instructions on the page.

If you require assistance with sending your LOA to faculty, please contact your Disabilities Counsellor.

There are many resources available in the Centre for Accessible Learning that can assist you with program support.

To book an appointment with your Disabilities Counsellor, Assistive Technologist or Learning Strategist, please email calpembroke@algonquincollege.com or call 613-735-4700 ext. 2665.

CAL Test Services does not guarantee testing accommodations if the booking deadline has been missed. Please email calpembroke@algonquincollege.com if you have missed a test/exam booking deadline.

No, for assessments that do not involve supervision, faculty are requested to provide the test accommodations outlined on the LOA. Please connect with your professor to arrange these tests.

Contact your professor(s) to make alternative arrangements. If an alternative date/time is agreed upon, book your test/exam accordingly.

Login to the CAL Student Portal and click “Book a test”, then click “My Upcoming Events”. Beside the booking you would like to cancel, click “cancel”.

CAL Test Services coordinates accommodated tests and exams for students with disabilities registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL).  

CAL provides in-person and virtual proctoring support on behalf of the faculty when accommodations cannot be delivered in the classroom environment.

When accommodations cannot be provided in the classroom environment, students must complete a booking request through the CAL Student Portal for each virtual or in-person test/exam.

No, for assessments that do not involve supervision, faculty are requested to provide the test accommodations outlined on the student’s LOA.

Bookings must be made on the CAL Student Portal at least 7 days in advance for quizzes, midterms, and tests. Final exams must be booked before the posted deadlines for each term.

Students can book both in-person and virtual tests/exams using the CAL Student Portal.

Students enrolled in one of the following programs are asked to email calpembroke@algonquincollege.com with the course code, section, and professor for all courses at the beginning of the term. CAL Test Services will add the courses to the students file and students will then be able to book their own tests using the CAL Student Portal.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
• Academic Upgrading

Step 1: Faculty approves test request 

• Faculty will receive an email notification to review and approve the booking through the CAL Faculty Portal.

Step 2: CAL Test Services provides direction on next steps to faculty

• Virtual: CAL Test Services will notify faculty of all students booked and the accommodation requirements for Brightspace adjustment.

Step 3: Faculty makes test arrangements 

• Virtual: Faculty make the necessary adjustments in Brightspace. Information on how to adjust for test accommodations in Brightspace can be found by clicking here.
• Paper: Faculty drops off or emails test to CAL Test Services. Tests must be delivered at least 2 business days in advance for midterms and 4 business days for final exams.

The daily testing schedule will be posted in the click frame on the wall outside Room 126. Students can check for the details of their test/exam on this schedule.

No, faculty are not able to book tests/exams on the student’s behalf. Students can book both in-person and virtual tests/exams using the CAL Student Portal.

To approve a test booking, complete the following steps:

• Click the link in the email you have received
• Log in to the CAL Faculty Portal using you AC username and password (Reminder, please do not use your email address to login.)
• Click “Courses,” then click “Updates”
• Follow the 4 steps (Test details, Students, Test Information, and Submit) to complete the request

CAL Test Services will send the Zoom invitation to students writing virtually.

CAL Test Services will provide you with the accommodation information after the 7-day deadline for midterms and after the final exam deadline. Once you have those details, you can make the necessary adjustments on Brightspace.

Information on how to make adjustments for test accommodations in Brightspace can be found here: Quiz Accommodations | Digital Learning Environment Knowledge Base 

Students requiring support with the use of assistive technology to complete a test or exam must meet with an Assistive Technologist to receive technical support and training.

Students can schedule an appointment with the Assistive Technologist by calling 613-735-4700 ext. 2665 or emailing calpembroke@algonquincollege.com.

If the test is being delivered on Brightspace: Learning and Teaching Services (LTS) can assist Faculty to adjust the settings on Brightspace to allow assistive technology to function properly.

Absolutely, if the student’s accommodation needs can be met in the classroom.

Looking for support with testing accommodation features in Brightspace? Check out the following resources: 

• Quiz Accommodations and New Video on Assignments
• Providing a Student with Special Access to a Quiz 
• Learning and Teaching Services (LTS)

CAL Test Services requires time to ensure that paper-based tests/exams are accessible for the student. Professors should deliver the test to CAL mailbox #86 in the mailroom at least 2 business days in advance. For final exams, we ask that they are delivered 4 business days in advance.

The same timelines apply if you are sending your tests electronically to CAL Test Services. Please email calpembroke@algonquincollege.com with the test attached.

If you would like to cancel a booking on the student’s behalf, please email calpembroke@algonquincollege.com. Students can cancel bookings through the CAL Student Portal.