If you need additional time to complete your graduate degree due to accessibility-related barriers, an Accessibility Advisor can support you by: 

  • Creating a modified work plan with your Accessibility Advisor to share with your supervisor
  • Discussing financial options for receiving graduate funding with your supervisor

If you are graduate student with a disability, you can receive academic accommodations and supports to assist you in completing your graduate studies. To request accommodations, you will need to register with Accessibility Services. Learn how to request  academic accomodations with Accessibility Services.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the policies of your program and the School of Graduate Studies.  

Contents

Accommodations Planning your academic accommodations
Support services Support and resources related to your program of study and more
Financial resources Learn what financial support and resources are available
Teaching Assistants Support for Teaching Assistants
Graduate Student Lunch & Learn Week of November 12, further details TBD
Graduate student life Additional resources

Academic accommodations

Academic accommodations are provided to address the functional limitation(s) of your disability upon your academic progress. The planning of your academic accommodations are a collaborative effort between you, your Accessibility Advisor and your faculty. 

In addition to the accommodations listed on our Accessibility Services for Registered Students page, there are specific accommodations available to graduate students.

Depending on your program of study and your needs, you may be recommended for:

  • General accommodations, for example:
  • Accommodations specific to the research phase (for example, securing an appropriate venue for a thesis defense).
  • Accommodations specific to experiential components (for example, flexibility in fieldwork hours).

Academic support services

Your Faculty or Department may offer support and resources related to your program of study. 

Find additional support services below: 

Note: If you require a study carrel for disability reasons, contact your Accessibility Advisor for further information.  

Financial support & resources

In addition to the recommendations found on the financial support web page of Accessibility Services, the following resources are available: 

Note: Not all graduate students are eligible for all resources and we recommend you first consult with a/your Accessibility Advisor to discuss your eligibility. 

Teaching Assistants

As a graduate student, you may also be a Teaching Assistant. Teaching Assistants are university unionized employees and should seek accommodations at Health and Well-Being.   

Let them know you are registered with Accessibility Services and what your accommodations have been.

Graduate Student Lunch & Learn

When: Week of November 12, further details TBD. 

  • Learn how Accessibility Services can support you during your graduate studies
  • Hear from other graduate students who have navigated disability during their studies
  • Connect with Accessibility Services staff who work directly with graduate students
  • This event includes a short presentation, a panel of graduate students & staff, as well as an opportunity to connect informally with other attendees

Consider the unique needs of a graduate or professional student:

  • Work is more independent and self-directed
  • Learning may take place in work-integrated environments such as hospitals, labs and clinics which means that accommodations designed for classrooms may not be appropriate or applicable
  • Accommodations have to balance your needs while ensuring that you meet the standards of your profession

Academic accommodations received during your undergraduate degree may need to be updated and tailored to your graduate or professional program of study. 

Graduate student life