Applying for academic accommodations

Registration Process

Step 1: Complete the AccessAbility Services' online application to begin the registration process (this will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete). If you have a University of Waterloo Verification Form or alternate documentation in your possession, upload it with your application. It's okay if you don’t have documentation. Apply if you believe you need accommodations €“ – we can help you with the rest!

Step 2: Monitor your Waterloo email for next steps. We will email you within approximately 14 days (2 weeks) to schedule your registration appointment once we've reviewed your application. Please note that our response time may vary during peak times. If you are an incoming student with a Fall Term start, we will email you in the beginning of August to discuss next steps.

Step 3: Meet your Accommodation Consultant. During your appointment, you and your Accommodation Consultant will finalize your accommodation plan and they will show you how to sign into the AccessAbility Services online system to request and manage your accommodations.

Watch the video below for more information!

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Double Degree with University of Waterloo

If you require academic accommodations for a course offered by the University of Waterloo (UW), you must register with UW’s AccessAbility Services (follow the registration process outlined above). 

If you require academic accommodations for a course offered by another Institution (i.e. the University of Guelph (UofG) or Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU), you must register with their academic accommodation office:  

UW is my Home Institution, and I'm taking classes at another Institution
  • If you have an existing academic accommodation plan with the University of Waterloo’s AccessAbility Services, you may upload a UW Verification of Academic Accommodation Letter as documentation when registering with UofG or WLU academic accommodation office. Note: additional documentation or meetings may be required.
  • Once registered, you will be required to activate your classroom and testing accommodations directly with that office (using their online systems), as well as schedule your exams in accordance with their published deadlines.

UW is not my Home Institution, and I'm taking classes at UW

  • If you require academic accommodations for a course offered by the University of Waterloo (UW), you must register with UW’s AccessAbility Services, which includes attending a registration appointment to develop and implement your accommodation plan.

  • If you have an existing academic accommodation plan with your home institution, you may upload your institution’s Verification of Academic Accommodation Letter as documentation with your application. Note: additional documentation and meetings may be required.

  • Once registered, you will be required to activate your classroom and testing accommodations using AccessAbility Services’ online system and schedule your exams in accordance with our published deadlines.

Please note: We aim to provide consistent accommodations across our institutions, where possible.