Accessibility supports and resources

Co-op student experience manager (CSEM), accessibility

The co-op student experience manager (CSEM), accessibility is an advocate who supports accessibility within all CEE processes. They work to remove barriers for students with known or suspected disabilities. The CSEM accessibility emphasizes relationship and resource building. They also lead ongoing education and professional development initiatives for students and staff.

To learn more about resources available within co-op please contact us.

Co-op Accommodation Support Pathway (CASP)

For students with known or suspected disabilities, CEE provides support in meeting your employment accessibility requirements. We do so through the CASP. This optional and individualized support pathway guides students throughout their employment experience.

Co-op, EDGE and other work-integrated learning students can access this resource at any time by scheduling an appointment with the co-op student experience manager, accessibility. Students can expect to receive assistance with:

• connecting to on and off-campus resources
• understanding disability disclosure
• exploring academic and employment accommodations
• improving communication support with employer(s)
• updating information in WaterlooWorks

Co-op advisors

Each co-op student has a co-op advisor who supports them throughout their co-op career at Waterloo, including when applying, interviewing and throughout their co-op work terms. Co-op advisors have specific knowledge of your academic program, skillset and co-op journey. They can answer any questions about co-op recruitment and work terms and are dedicated to helping you succeed.

EDGE advisors

Each EDGE student has an EDGE advisor who supports them throughout their EDGE journey. EDGE advisors support students through EDGE requirements by planning the best time to complete each milestone. EDGE advisors can answer any questions about the EDGE program and are dedicated to supporting regular (non-co-op) stream students through their professional development. Schedule an appointment to speak to an EDGE advisor.

Centre for Career Development

The Centre for Career Development (CCD) helps students (undergraduate or graduate), postdoctoral fellows, alumni and employees explore career opportunities.

Career advisors are available to support you on your career journey. Career advisors can assist with career advice, career management strategies or graduate and professional school preparation.

Workshops and events are designed to help you build skills for the future. The CCD can help with résumé writing, interview skills or career support.

CareerHub is an online resource with information and activities designed to provide opportunities to prepare for your career.

• CareerHub provides information and tips on disclosing a disability. Learn about accommodation rights, the supervisor’s duty to accommodate and resources on accommodation eligibility.

Accessibility requirements - remote interview room booking in Tatham Centre (TC)

Students who book a remote interview room in TC can share their accessibility requirements. We will work with you to find a space that meets your accessibility requirements in a dignified way.

To book a room for remote interviews, submit a "Request room in TC for remote interview" form under "Recruiting Term Support" on WaterlooWorks.

Reduced course load verification

CEE requires students to be enrolled in full-time courses (1.5 units) to maintain co-op eligibility. For students who require an exception to this requirement on the grounds of disability, the reduced course load verification provides you an opportunity to confidentially communicate your accommodation plan.

If you have an accommodation plan through AccessAbility Services with reduced course load eligibility, you can request that a verification of academic accommodations letter is sent to CEE.

If you don't have an accommodation plan but think you may be impacted by a known or suspected disability, please contact AccessAbility Services. 

AccessAbility Services

AccessAbility Services is the University’s centralized office for the management of academic accommodationsfor all students with disabilities.

Support for co-op academic accommodations:

Co-op students can access support for academic accommodations through AccessAbility Services. AccessAbility Services will design and facilitate academic accommodation plans by removing barriers, building capacity for personal success and working with students and instructors to ensure the accommodation plan is successfully implemented. This includes any Professional Development (PD) courses that co-op students are required to take. Connect with AccessAbility Services to learn more.

Support for co-op employment accommodations:

Co-op students can access support for employment accommodation through AccessAbility Services. AccessAbility Services can provide a summary of academic accommodations during your last term of study at the University of Waterloo. The letter will include the term you registered with AccessAbility Services and confirmation that you have a temporary or permanent disability. This letter can then be used to support your participation in the employment accommodation process as needed.

Occupational Health

Occupational Health provides integrated occupational health and safety services to employers and employees. Occupational Health works closely with managers, supervisors, human resources and individual employees to maintain, promote and restore employee health, safety and well-being. Co-op students who are employed by the University of Waterloo can request employment accommodation through Occupational Health.

Campus Wellness

Campus Wellness professionals provideprimary medical care and mental health services to all students at the University of Waterloo.

Counselling Services
Counselling services are provided by Campus Wellness to all Waterloo students, at no charge, in a private and confidential setting.

Health Services
Health services are provided by Campus Wellness for your primary healthcare needs including general clinics, verification of illness services, insurance information, nutrition services, and travel medical advice.

Searching for co-op, EDGE, work-integrated learning or permanent employment opportunities? In addition to searching for jobs within WaterlooWorks, consider off-campus employment support services to learn about opportunities across a variety of industries and fields.

Please note that many of the organizations who hire through WaterlooWorks also recruit through these organizations. The difference is the specialized accessibility support these organizations can offer.

• Abilities to work supports persons with disabilities in finding their future by connecting them with opportunities in employment, education or training. This was formely known as Coalition for Persons with Disabilities, Employment Access Program and has been operating since 1995.
• Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work provides many career services, including career exploration, training, and job support.
• Can Win helps employers meet workforce needs by connecting job seekers with disabilities to accessible employers acrossBritish Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.
• Career Edge is Canada's largest provider of paid internships. Their goal is to help recent graduates, people with disabilities, skilled newcomers to Canada and current or former Canadian Armed Forces members launch their careers with organizations of all sizes from all sectors
• Discover Ability Network is a job-matching online portal and resource that connects people with disabilities directly to Ontario employers.
• Lime Connect is a global non-profit organization with the mission to prepare and connect high-potential university students with disabilities to scholarships, internships, a fellowship program and full-time careers with their corporate partners.
• Starling Community Services offers employment and self-employment supports for persons with disabilities, offering services that help clients find jobs or create their own job.
• March of Dimes offers a full range of Employment Services to help people with disabilities to develop employment plans, prepare for work, overcome employment barriers and return to (or enter) the workforce.
• My Job Match is a digital process tool that captures job seekers skills and career goals to match employee profiles with employers.
• The Job Centre provides a range of employment supports to youth and adults with physical, mental health and developmental disabilities. Serving Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton, Milton, Cambridge, Guelph, Waterloo Region and Georgetown.
• Youth Employment Services (YES) is the Canadian leader in providing life-changing employment training and job placement for youth with 25 programs available.

• Ability jobs is the largest U.S. career board for people with disabilities, and also includes resources for job seekers.
• Federal Student Work Experience Program is an inventory of hundreds of career paths and thousands of jobs that the Government of Canada has to offer.
  • The Employment Opportunity for Students with Disabilities is a national initiative under the Federal Student Work Experience Program for students who have self-declared as persons with disabilities. It provides support to employees with disabilities during their work term with the federal public service career.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

AODA is provincial law that aims to identify and remove barriers for people with disabilities. It applies to all levels of government, non-profits and private sector businesses in Ontario.

Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) Job Accommodation Service

CCRW provides practical advice and workplace accommodation solutions to employers through the Job Accommodation Service.

Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC): Duty to Accommodate

OHRC provides information on accommodation, rights and responsibilities for employers and employees.

Disability disclosure

To learn more about disclosing a disability review:

• Lime Connect disability disclosure session
• Disability disclosure resource summary sheet

Co-op, EDGE and other work-integrated learning students learn more by scheduling an appointment with the co-op student experience manager, accessibility.