How to Register with Student Accessibility Services

While students can register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at any point in their program, in some cases it can take significant time to organize academic accommodations. Therefore, students are encouraged to register with SAS as early in their program as possible. 

We're here to answer any questions you may have about SAS services, academic accommodations, documentation and the registration process. Contact SAS.

Interested in student disability grants?

You may be eligible for student disability grants if you have a Canada Student Loan and documentation of a permanent or a persistent or prolonged disability. 

Student Disability Grants

No diagnosis?

Encountering significant academic challenges without a diagnosis? Reach out to us to discuss your concerns and discover how SAS (alongside other campus and community services) can support you.

Contact SAS

Review documentation requirements

Review the table below on documentation requirements and obtain a copy of your documentation of disability. 

The documentation requirements for student disability grants can differ from the requirements for academic accommodations. If you plan to pursue student disability grants, refer to the Additional Requirements for Grants column in the table below.  

No documentation available? You can still complete the intake form. Once your intake form is received and processed, SAS will be in touch regarding next steps. 

Step 1: Submit intake form and documentation

Complete the Online Intake Form.

The intake form will include an option to upload your documentation. Alternatively, documentation can be emailed, faxed, or dropped off to the SAS office.

  • Email: access@ucalgary.ca 
  • Fax: (403) 210-1063
    • If documentation is being faxed directly to SAS by your medical provider, please follow up with SAS to ensure that the fax was received. 
  • Office: MacEwan Student Centre 452

You must have a UCalgary ID number and UCalgary email address to complete the online intake form. If you are a prospective student to the University of Calgary, please contact SAS for assistance.

Step 2: Meet with an Access Advisor

Once your intake form and documentation are received, SAS will be in contact via your UCalgary email to schedule an intake appointment with an Access Advisor. 

You can expect this email 3-5 business days after submission, though these timelines may vary during peak periods.

During the intake appointment, the Access Adviser will lead a self-report interview, review your documentation with you, and discuss any barriers to access you've encountered, or may encounter, during your time at the University of Calgary. The appointment will typically end with a discussion of appropriate accommodations and a review of SAS processes around accommodations. 

Please note: Submission of the intake form does not guarantee academic accommodations. Details regarding accommodations will be discussed during the intake meeting with an SAS Access Advisor.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation provided to SAS for the purpose of obtaining accommodations should include the following elements:

  • Completed by a practitioner with expertise in the area of the specific disability or health condition. 
  • Indicate the duration of the disability or condition, such as permanent, persistent/prolonged (expected to last at least 12 months), or temporary. Temporary conditions (e.g., broken limb) should include the date of expected recovery or reevaluation. 
  • Describe the current impact of the disability or health condition (i.e., functional limitations) on academic performance.  
  • Documentation must be signed and dated by the practitioner (documentation completed by a Provisional Psychologist must be signed by their supervisor), and include the practitioner's name, title, phone number and address.

Documentation may also include (but is not required to include):

  • A specific diagnosis.
  • Recommended accommodations which may assist in minimizing the impact of the functional limitations on the student's academic performance.

Please note: an Individualized Program Plan (IPP)/Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or other internal documentation from the K-12 system does not meet the requirements for documentation. Students are advised to connect with their school boards and request a copy of any Psychoeducational Assessments/medical information used to create the IPP/IEP. 

See the Additional Requirements for Grants column for more information on the documentation requirements related to applying for student disability grants, as these requirements may differ from documentation requirements for obtaining accommodations through SAS. 

Type of DisabilityDocumentation Requirements for AccommodationsAdditional Requirements for Grants
ADHD

Psychologist’s report, or

Neuropsychological report, or

Letter from a psychiatrist, or

Letter from a physician with details about the diagnosis, or

SAS Verification Form

Documentation must indicate that the condition is either permanent or persistent/prolonged (i.e., has lasted, or expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person's lifetime). A temporary diagnosis is not eligible for funding. 
Autism Spectrum Disorders (e.g., Autism, PDD, Rett)

Psychologist’s Report, or

Letter from a psychiatrist, or

SAS Verification Form

Documentation must indicate that the condition is either permanent or persistent/prolonged (i.e., has lasted, or expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person's lifetime). A temporary diagnosis is not eligible for funding. 
Blind, Visually Impaired

Specialist’s report (e.g. ophthalmologist, optometrist), or

Letter from a physician with a description of the functional limitations, or

SAS Verification Form

Documentation must indicate that the condition is either permanent or persistent/prolonged (i.e., has lasted, or expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person's lifetime). A temporary diagnosis is not eligible for funding. 
Brain Injury/Cognitive Impairment

Neuropsychological report, or

Brain injury/cognitive impairment report/assessment, or

SAS Verification Form

Documentation must indicate that the condition is either permanent or persistent/prolonged (i.e., has lasted, or expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person's lifetime). A temporary diagnosis is not eligible for funding. 
Deaf, Hearing Impaired

Audiologist report, or

Letter from a physician with an explanation of the degree of hearing loss, or

SAS Verification Form

Documentation must indicate degree of hearing loss: Mild, Moderate, Severe, or Profound. 

Documentation must indicate that the condition is either permanent or persistent/prolonged (i.e., has lasted, or expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person's lifetime). A temporary diagnosis is not eligible for funding. 

Learning Disability

Psychoeducational assessment from a psychologist, or

Neuropsychological report

Documentation must be less than 5 years old or completed when student was 18 years of age or older.  

A physician's diagnosis of a Learning Disability is not acceptable. 

Documentation must indicate that the condition is either permanent or persistent/prolonged (i.e., has lasted, or expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person's lifetime). A temporary diagnosis is not eligible for funding. 

Mobility/Agility

Specialist’s report (e.g. neurologist, neurosurgeon, physiatrist), or

Letter from a physician with a description of the functional limitations, or

SAS Verification Form

Documentation must indicate that the condition is either permanent or persistent/prolonged (i.e., has lasted, or expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person's lifetime). A temporary diagnosis is not eligible for funding. 
Psychiatric/Psychological 

Psychologist’s report with The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnosis, or

Letter from a psychiatrist with DSM diagnosis, or

Letter from a physician with details about diagnosis including DSM, or

SAS Verification Form

A physician's letter must include a detailed description of the diagnosis, how the diagnosis was arrived at, functional limitations, and detailed information on patient history. 

Documentation must indicate that the condition is either permanent or persistent/prolonged (i.e., has lasted, or expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person's lifetime). A temporary diagnosis is not eligible for funding. 

Speech

Speech language pathologist report, or

SAS Verification Form

Documentation must indicate that the condition is either permanent or persistent/prolonged (i.e., has lasted, or expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person's lifetime). A temporary diagnosis is not eligible for funding.
Temporary (e.g., broken arm)

Specialist’s report (e.g. neurologist treating a concussion), or

Letter from a physician with a description of the functional limitations, or

SAS Verification Form

A temporary diagnosis is not eligible for funding. 
Other/Chronic Medical ConditionSAS Verification Form

Documentation must indicate that the condition is either permanent or persistent/prolonged (i.e., has lasted, or expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person's lifetime). A temporary diagnosis is not eligible for funding. 

Certain disabilities/conditions may not be eligible for funding consideration. Contact SAS for more information. 

Notice of Collection and Informed Consent

Students are encouraged to review the Notice of Collection and Informed Consent for Student Accessibility Services

If you have any questions about the collection or use of your information, please contact SAS.