Disability Accommodations at FDU Vancouver
Steps in Academic Accommodations Process
Collect Supporting Documentation
To apply for an academic accommodation, please fill out the Disability Disclosure Form and submit it and supporting documentation to the Director of Student Services before the start of your first class each term.
Schedule a Meeting
Schedule a meeting with the Director of Student Services and bring all relevant documentation of your condition or disability, if you haven’t already submitted it. If you are unsure what to bring or have not yet been tested, contact the office beforehand to discuss your situation.
Based on the documentation you provide, we will determine the appropriate accommodations. During the meeting, you will learn about the process of receiving disability support services and the in-class accommodations available for the current term. Following the meeting, the Director of Student Services will prepare accommodation letters for your professors, which you must pick up and deliver to the respective faculty members.
Give Accommodation Letters to Your Professors
Pick up your accommodation letters from the Director of Student Services and hand-deliver them to your professors. This provides an opportunity to discuss your needs directly, while the letters themselves do not disclose details of your disability. It is strongly recommended to provide these letters within the first two weeks of the semester, as accommodations cannot be applied until your professors have received them and are not retroactive.
You are responsible for monitoring your progress throughout the semester. If you need further support or assistance with the implementation of your accommodations, contact the Director of Student Services immediately.
Follow Through in Future Semesters
You must re-apply and submit a Disability Disclosure Form each term before picking up your accommodation letters from the Director of Student Services. Letters are available during the first week of each semester. To request changes to your accommodations, contact the Director of Student Services at 604-648-4460 or jobin@fdu.edu.
Documentation Required
Each student requesting accommodations and support services is required to submit documentation to verify eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and DSS policies.
In order to accurately determine the appropriate accommodations:
- The documentation should be current (within the past 2 years of application).
- The documentation should be reflective of the student’s current functioning.
- In all cases, the documentation should be appropriate to the anticipated setting.
- Accommodations provided for individuals with temporary disabling conditions may be subject to periodic review.
Adapted Testing Policy
The Director of Student Services provides adapted testing for students with a documented disability if adapted testing is appropriate for their needs. When tests are administered, the following rules apply. Exceptions may be made if supported by appropriate documentation.
Advising Instructor
Students should provide their Accommodations Agreement to instructors as early in the semester as possible to confirm eligibility for adapted testing.
Reminder Notes
Students should remind the instructor at least 3 working days prior to testing dates.
Adapted Testing Requests
If the student fails to request adapted testing within this time frame, there may not be sufficient staff to administer the exam, and the student will be required to reschedule.
Dates and Times of Exams
Exams are scheduled at the same time as the rest of the class unless the instructor approves an alternative arrangement. Students receiving accommodations must arrive on time. If a student is significantly late, they must contact the instructor to reschedule. If a student fails to attend the scheduled exam, the incomplete test will be returned to the instructor that day, and the student must work directly with the professor to address the missed exam.
Proctoring
All tests are proctored to maintain security and integrity. Students should use the restroom or get refreshments before the exam begins and may not leave the exam room during the test unless authorized by the instructor on the Instructor Testing Authorization Form. Proctors can provide reading or writing assistance if it aligns with the student’s documented needs. If a student requires clarification on a test question, the proctor will help contact the instructor. If the instructor is unavailable, the student may submit multiple answers with explanations of their reasoning.
Test Delivery
The instructor will deliver the test to the office of the Writing Centre at least one day prior to the test. Tests can be e-mailed (a.dureaden@fdu.edu), or a print copy can be hand delivered. When completed, the test will be returned to the instructor’s mail slot or, if preferred, may be kept at the Writing Centre for pick-up.