Register with Accessibility Services
Our goal is to facilitate equitable access to education and services for everyone.
Accessibility Services assists all Columbia College students who encounter accessibility barriers, including those with permanent disabilities, temporary medical conditions, or any other challenges that require academic accommodations.
Register of AS
Who is Eligible?
Accessibility Services assists all Columbia College students who encounter accessibility barriers, including those with permanent disabilities, temporary medical conditions, or any other challenges that require academic accommodations. Our goal is to facilitate equitable access to education and services for everyone.
How to Register
Ensure you are an admitted Columbia College student with a disability.
To sign up with Accessibility Services, you need to provide a medical document. This document should:
- Confirm your disability and how it affects you.
- Recommend academic accommodations.
You can include this document with your self-assessment on the Verification of Accommodation (VOA) form.
Alberta Student Aid Disability Verification Form
VOD verification of disability (non student aid)
Accessibility Services advisors may ask for more medical documents to support your request for accommodations.
Your disability documentation might need to be updated regularly. This helps ensure that the accommodations and support you receive continue to meet your needs while studying at Columbia College
Summary of Disability Documentation Required
| Type of disability | Documentation required |
| Hearing impairment | Audiologist report, or letter from a physician with an explanation of the degree of hearing loss, or completion of professional verification (page 6) by physician with details regarding how your disabling condition impacts upon ability to pursue post-secondary studies. |
| Visual impairment | Specialist report, or letter from a physician with a description of the functional limitations, or completion of professional verification (page 6) by physician/specialist with description of the functional limitations how they impact upon ability to pursue post-secondary studies. |
| Learning disability | Psycho-educational report from a Psychologist completed as an adult, or neuro-psychological report completed as an adult with details regarding how your disabling condition impacts upon ability to pursue post-secondary studies. |
| Speech | Speech language pathologist report, or completion of professional verification (page 6) by speech pathologist/specialist with details regarding how your disabling condition impacts upon ability to pursue post-secondary studies. |
| Mobility/agility impairment | Specialist report, or letter from a physician with an explanation of the nature of the mobility/agility impairment (functional limitation), or completion of professional verification (page 6) by physician/specialist with description of the functional limitations how they impact upon ability to pursue post-secondary studies. |
| ADD / ADHD | Psychologist report, or neuro-psychological report, or letter from a psychiatrist, or letter from a physician with details about the diagnosis, or completion of professional verification (page 6) by a psychiatrist/psychologist or physician with details regarding how your disabling condition impacts upon ability to pursue post-secondary studies. |
| Psychiatric or psychological | Psychologist report with a DSM diagnosis, or letter from a psychiatrist with a DSM diagnosis, or letter from a physician with details about the diagnosis including the DSM, or completion of professional verification (page 6) by a psychiatrist/psychologist or physician with details regarding how your disabling condition impacts upon ability to pursue post-secondary studies. |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rett syndrome | Psychologist report, or letter from a physician with details about the diagnosis, or completion of professional verification (page 6) by a psychologist or physician with details regarding how your disabling condition impacts upon ability to pursue post-secondary studies. |
| Brain injury/ cognitive impairment | Neuro-Psychological report, or brain injury/cognitive impairment report/assessment, or completion of professional verification (page 6) by a physician/specialist with details regarding how your disabling condition impacts upon ability to pursue post-secondary studies. |
| Other permanent or temporary disabling condition | Completion of professional verification (page 6) by a physician/specialist with details regarding how your disabling condition impacts upon ability to pursue post-secondary studies. |
Available Services
Exam Accommodations Guide
Exam accommodations help ensure that all students have a fair chance to show their knowledge and skills. If you need accommodations due to accessibility, functional, or cognitive challenges, please contact us.
Types of Exam Accommodations
Arrange these accommodations before booking your exam:
- Location/Environment: Private room, semi-private room with fewer distractions, natural lighting.
- Ergonomic Support: Ergonomic chair, footrest, pillow, earplugs.
- Health-Related Support: Beverage, snacks, glucometer, medications.
- Extended Time: Extra time for completing exams.
- Alternate Formats: Exam in a format suitable for assistive technology or braille.
- Split Exam: Divide the exam into two sessions.
- Support Services: Scribe, personal aid, sign language interpreter.
Accommodations Needing Program Chair Approval
Some accommodations need approval from your Program Chair and additional medical documentation. This documentation should be from a qualified medical professional who can recommend suitable accommodations.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Columbia college’s Responsibility: We must consider accommodation requests while maintaining exam integrity and security.
- Student’s Responsibility: Request accommodations in advance and ensure your invigilation site meets your needs. You don’t need to disclose your disability to course staff or invigilators unless you choose to.
Accommodation Setup
After registering with Accessibility Services, you will receive a Letter of Accommodation and an Accommodation Plan. Review these documents to ensure they meet your needs for each course. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to Accessibility Services.
Assistive Technology (other listed item under available services)
Assistive Technology consists of equipment or technology that allows a person to complete a task where otherwise the person might not be able to do so or be limited in their access to the task
Students Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
- Screen Magnifiers: Magnify text on screens for easier reading and navigation.
- Audio Transcripts: Provide descriptions of images and videos to make visual content accessible.
Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- Closed-Captioned Recorded Lectures: Add captions to recorded lectures to aid comprehension.
- ASL Translation Apps: Translate spoken text into American Sign Language for better understanding and communication.
Students with Learning or Cognitive Disabilities
- Picture-Based Software: Use image-based flashcards and study tools to support learning.
- Writing and Literacy Aids: Utilize spelling, grammar, and editing apps to assist with writing and comprehension.
Students with Speech and Communication Disabilities
- Text-to-Speech Apps: Convert written text into spoken words for easier communication.
- Predictive Text AIs: Help find words or phrases to aid in writing and communication tasks.
Students with Mobility Disabilities
- Accessible Architecture: Ensure campus facilities include ramps, elevators, and other accessibility features.
- Stair Lifts: Install lifts in older buildings to assist with navigating stairs.
Connect with Accessibility Services
Reach out to the Accessibility Services department at: accessibilityservices@columbia.ca or (403) 235-9300.