Can graduate students receive accommodations for graduate milestones?
Yes. Students with disabilities may be eligible for academic accommodations for graduate milestones (non-course degree requirements) such as a thesis or comprehensive exam. Accommodations will be tailored specifically to each student and to each milestone.
How do I know if I am eligible for milestone accommodations?
If you haven’t already done so, register with our office by completing our online application and selecting that you are a graduate student. Once your supporting medical documentation has been reviewed, you will be invited to attend a graduate student registration appointment, where you will meet with your accommodation consultant to discuss your eligibility for accommodations during your graduate career.
How do I request and manage my graduate milestone accommodations?
The graduate milestone accommodation process can be cyclical but generally involves the following phases:
Phase 1: Attend a Graduate Student Accommodation Planning Appointment
Once registered, you will attend a Graduate Student Accommodation Planning Appointment (if this cannot be completed at your registration appointment) where you and your accommodation consultant will discuss the accommodations you require for a specific upcoming milestone, such as defending your thesis proposal. At this meeting, you and your accommodation consultant will develop a plan outlining:
- The types of accommodation that may be required.
- The academic stakeholders who must be informed/engaged in the accommodation plan (such as your thesis supervisor, committee members, or graduate coordinator.
- The action items to initiate next steps.
Phase 2: Engage the academic unit with the accommodation plan
If you require a milestone accommodation, you and your accommodation consultant will engage the identified key stakeholders within the academic unit to discuss the essential requirements of the accommodation and the essential requirement of the milestone. Essential requirements for milestones, including timelines, are stipulated in the University of Waterloo Graduate Studies Academic Calendar. At the end of this meeting, it is expected a graduate milestone accommodation plan will be finalized, which meets both your disability-based needs, and the essential requirements of the milestone and/or program.
Phase 3: Engage with the accommodation plan
You may require (or just benefit from) accommodation services as part of your accommodation plan. For example, you may be eligible to work with our Adaptive Educational Technologist or our Learning Strategist to learn strategies and technologies to most effectively achieve your academic goals. You are encouraged to utilize the accommodation services available to you, particularly if included in your milestone accommodation plan.
I have more questions
If you have any questions about the graduate accommodation process, please email: access@uwaterloo.ca, or call the front desk to schedule an appointment: 519-888-4567, ext. 35082.