Home > Student Services > Student Accessibility & Accommodation Services

Are Student Accessibility Services for you? 

Do you have an ongoing medical, neurocognitive, or mental health condition or disability that impacts your access to learning or activities on campus? 

Are you living with a temporary situation that is creating barriers to your academic success? (Concussion, broken limb, grief etc.) 

Did you receive academic or other related accommodations at another educational institution? 

For registered BU students living with disabilities, Student Accessibility Services (SAS) offers accommodations and support designed to improve access to all aspects of post-secondary education. 

At Bishop’s University, we believe that higher education should be accessible to everyone. 

Bishop’s University is proud to be an institution that welcomes and supports a diverse student body and strives to ensure that students have equal opportunities and equitable treatment to take full advantage of their education. 

Academic accommodations are governed by the Policy Regarding Student Accessibility and Accommodation.  

The University has a legal obligation and “duty to accommodate” according to the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. 

New students are encouraged to reach out to Student Accessibility Services (SAS) as soon as they have accepted their offer off admission.  

If there are any questions or concerns during the initial application process about the University’s ability to reasonably accommodate, feel free to contact SAS at any time.

New Student Registration

New students are encouraged to reach out to Student Accessibility Services (SAS) as soon as they have accepted their offer off admission.  

If there are any questions or concerns during the initial application process about the University’s ability to reasonably accommodate, feel free to contact SAS at any time. 

Step 1 – Complete online registration form: 

Student Accessibility Services use a confidential, digital platform called Accommodate. This allows students to register, submit documentation and make requests for changes to their requested accommodations. 

As soon as you have accepted your offer of admission, you can register with SAS here: 

SAS Registration Form 

To open your accessibility file, SAS will need medical documentation confirming the nature of your disability. Some examples include but are not limited to: 

A copy of a recent psychological, psychoeducational, or neuropsychological assessment or diagnostic report (ideally completed within the last 5 years) which includes recommended accommodations (for any questions, please contact accessibility@ubishops.ca). 

Any previous Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan from another academic institution. 

Any pertinent letters from previous institutions or clinical practitioners. 

Disability Verification Form (PDF), completed by a medical or registered clinical professional. 

Please note that not ALL of these documents are necessary, but a variety of options can be used. 

Documentation can be securely uploaded directly to the Accommodate registration form. 

You can also mail documentation to: 

Student Accessibility Services
2600 rue College
Sherbrooke, Quebec
J1M 1Z7 

If sending documentation by mail, we encourage you to send copies and NOT the originals. 

If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact us at accessibility@ubishops.ca. 

Step 2  – Meet with an Accessibility Specialist 

Once the online registration form is complete, an Accessibility Specialist will be assigned to you, and they will be in touch with you to schedule an intake appointment. You will be contacted via your Bishop’s University email address, so please be sure to check your account. 

For any questions, please contact accessibility@ubishops.ca. 

Step 3 – Keep SAS updated on your situation! 

If there are any changes in your situation or you have any questions or concerns about your Accommodation Plan, it is important to let us know ASAP so we can ensure timely implementation should any changes be necessary. 

Check out the SAS myBU page for up-to-date information. 

Returning Students

Step 1 – Submit a Semester Request via Accommodate 

Returning students need to submit a Semester Request (a request for accommodations for semesters after your initial request was approved) via the Accommodate platform at the beginning of each semester. You can submit right away, even before your course registration is finalized. 

You can do so by logging onto the Accommodate Portal. 

Step 2  – Meet with your assigned Accessibility Specialist (if necessary) 

If nothing has changed with your situation, and you wish to have the same accommodations, you will receive your Semester Renewal Letter by the add/drop date. Your professors are also be sent a copy of this letter at that time. 

Step 3 – Keep SAS updated on your situation! 

It is important to keep SAS updated with any changes in your situation. You can do so by communicating directly with your Accessibility Specialist. 

Check out the SAS myBU page for up-to-date information. 

Instructors

The Student Accessibility Team works with faculty and staff across both campuses to support students with disabilities and the implementation of Universal design and accessible learning. If you have any questions or concerns you would like to discuss with us, please contact the Director, Theresa Gagnon at tgagnon@ubishops.ca.

Faculty Guide Book 

Coming soon! 

FAQ’s for Professors 

  • How do students register with SAS?
    Students register with SAS through the Accommodate Portal. They then meet with an Accessibility Specialist, discuss their barriers, and needs. Students provide valid documentation from a licensed professional. Depending on the nature of the disability, this registration may be permanent or temporary.
  • How can I find out if a student in my class is registered with SAS?
    Professors can access this information through the Accommodate Portal. Students ARE NOT required to disclose or discuss their situation to professors.
    Professors will receive notification when a student is registered for an exam in the SAS exam room.
  • How can I get advice regarding a student I’m concerned about?
    Professors are welcome to contact the Student Accessibility Specialists to discuss general concerns they may have and learn about our supports and processes for accommodations. Please note that due to confidentiality reasons, we cannot discuss or disclose information regarding specific students without their written consent.
  • Can I refer a student to SAS?
    Professors can recommend that students contact SAS if they notice that the student is experiencing barriers that may be disability related. They can also contact an accessibility specialist to learn more about our services and discuss a complex situation.
  • How do I contact the SAS exam office?
    The Student Accesibility Student Services Coordinator (exam coordinator) can be reached at exams@ubishops.ca or 819-822-9596.
    The SAS Exam Room can be reached at 819-822-9600 ext. 
  • What are the SAS opening hours?
    SAS is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the Fall and Winter semesters.
    Hours vary during the Spring and Summer semesters.
    The SAS exam room is open as needed, depending on course and exam schedules.
  • What do I need to do when a student in my class needs a note-taker?
    Note-takers are recruited by SAS. A student in the class will take notes and upload a copy to the Accommodate portal note-taking module. If no note-taker is found, SAS may contact you asking for support in finding one.
  • I have received an accommodation letter from SAS. What should I do now?
    Team to answer 

For parents and families

Eligibility Requirements

Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services provide support and advocacy services to all registered Bishop’s students who have documented disabilities and who pay student service fees. Documentation is ideally recent (within 5 years) and come from a licensed professional.  

Permanent disabilities

Can include but are not limited to: 

  • Mobility and coordination impairments. 
  • Hearing or vision impairments. 
  • Chronic physical or mental health problems. 
  • Attention Deficit Disorder or Learning Disability. 

Temporary disabilities

Include documented, temporary difficulties, such as concussions or accidents resulting in temporary mobility problems or broken limbs which affect their ability to carry on with their usual academic tasks. 

Transition to University

Moving on to university represents a significant step towards adulthood. Whether the student lives at home or goes away to attend university, the move constitutes an emotional separation for both parent and child. For most, the end of high school marks the symbolic end of childhood. 

What parents can do to facilitate this transition: 

You can support your student in investigating available resources together with them. Guiding them though the process of registering for and obtaining services from SAS as early as possible will be beneficial in the long run. 

Work with your student to help them develop self-advocacy skills. Help them understand and effectively communicate their needs, strengths and preferences related to their disability. 

Remember: students are responsible for self-identifying and requesting accommodations. 

The aim of SAS is to establish a collaborative working relationship with each student. Therefore, we would like to emphasize that while it is our responsibility to provide students with the accommodations required, it is the responsibility of each student to inform us of their needs. We encourage them to report any problems encountered with the accommodations and services as soon as possible, and to follow through with the procedures as outlined. 

Students must be able to advocate for their own needs, take responsibility for their learning, and understand the requirements that they must meet to be successful in their academic endeavors. SAS works with them to achieve this throughout their time at BU. 

Important dates 

Registration deadlines 

  • Fall 2023 deadline to ensure accommodations for final exams: November 3, 2023
  • Winter 2024 deadline to ensure accommodations for final exams: March 8, 2024

Exam booking deadline 

  • Fall 2023
    • Exam Period – December 10, to December 21, 2023
    • SAS exam booking deadline – December 1, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
  • Winter 2024
    • Exam Period – April 14 to April 25, 2024
    • SAS exam booking deadline – April 5, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

Contact Us 

For more information about Student Accessibility Services, contact us at: 

accessibility@ubishops.ca 
819-822-9695

Meet the Team

Amanda Manning, Accessibility Coordinator

Amanda Manning

Accessibility Coordinator

amanning@ubishops.ca

Phone ext. 2880

Rebecca Moore, E-Learning Student Accommodation Support

Rebecca Moore

E-Learning Student Accommodation Support

rmoore@ubishops.ca

Phone ext. 2063

Tayna Bardati

Tayna Bardati

SSS-SAAS Coordinator

tbardati@ubishops.ca

Phone ext. 2134

Theresa Gagnon

Theresa Gagnon

Director of Student Services and Student Life

tgagnon@ubishops.ca

Phone ext. 2615