Whether you are preparing to start your program or have received a new diagnosis part-way through your studies, welcome to MSVU Accessibility Services! We are here to support you with information, resources, and services to help make your transition a little easier.

You must register with Accessibility Services to receive academic accommodations, supports, or government grant funding. New students are encouraged to begin the registration process before arriving at MSVU.

How We Can Help:

  • Provide support, resources, and guidance for students with disabilities, staff, and instructors
  • Determine accommodations based on each student’s unique needs. Accommodation planning is a collaborative process between the student, faculty, and advisor to identify effective, efficient, and equitable solutions.
  • Provide ongoing support for students who have questions or concerns regarding their disability or accommodations
  • Help students navigate provincial and federal funding processes to apply for service and equipment grants
  • Provide training and education on assistive technology for reading, focus, note-taking, or accessing accessible textbooks

All accessibility-related processes are managed through Accommodate, including initial registration, booking accommodated quizzes, tests, and exams, accessing note-taking services, and viewing accommodation letters. Students receiving academic accommodations can expect to use Accommodate throughout their time at MSVU. We recommend bookmarking Accommodate and reviewing the Accommodate Student User Guide.

Accommodate

Accommodate Student User Guide

How to Register with Accessibility Services

New students can sign into Accommodate using their MSVU credentials once they have registered for at least one class. Current students may register with Accessibility Services at any time appointments are available.

There are three steps required to complete an application for academic accommodations:

  1. Complete the registration form in Accommodate (Accommodation > Registration Request)
  2. Upload documentation to Accommodate (Accommodation > Documents > Add New Accessibility Document)
  3. Meet with an Accessibility Advisor (Appointment > Request New Appointment)

Your application for accommodations will not be processed until all steps have been completed.

Please review the Accommodate Student User Guide for detailed instructions on completing the registration process. You can also visit the front desk in EMF 108 (below the library), call 902 457 6567, or email accessibilityservices@msvu.ca for assistance.

Your Accessibility Advisor will work with you to create an individualized accommodation plan that may include:

  • Accommodated test and exam arrangements
  • Classroom seating or environmental arrangements
  • Alternate formats for course materials
  • Assistive technology use and equipment loans
  • Referrals to other MSVU Student Services such as Counselling Services, Academic Advising and more

Your accommodation needs may change throughout your time at MSVU. If you require updates to your accommodations, you must first meet with an Accessibility Advisor to discuss those changes. Additional documentation may be required to support new accommodation requests.

Documentation Information

Documentation is required to complete the registration process with Accessibility Services. Please review the following documentation guidelines:

Learning Disabilities: A psychoeducational assessment completed by a registered psychologist is required. If the assessment was completed before you turned 18 years of age and is more than 5 years old, an updated assessment may be required.

ADHD: A psychoeducational assessment (as above) or a letter from an appropriate healthcare professional completed within the past 5 years is required.

Mental Health: A letter of support from an appropriate healthcare professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselling therapist preferred) completed within the past year is required.

Medical/Physical: A letter or report from an appropriate healthcare professional completed within the past year is required.

Documentation should outline your diagnosis, the impact it has on your learning, and any recommended accommodations.

If you have documentation ready, upload it to Accommodate after submitting your registration request, and then book an appointment with an Accessibility Advisor.

Still waiting for documents? Not sure if your documentation meets our requirements? Book an appointment with an Accessibility Advisor anyway — you can discuss your situation during the meeting.

Alternate ways to provide documentation include:

  • Emailing accessibilityservices@msvu.ca (please note this is not the most secure option, especially when sent from a non-MSVU email address)
  • Faxing documents to 902-445-2201 (please notify us by phone or email before sending)
  • Bringing documents in person to the front desk in EMF 108 (below the library), where we can scan and return your original copies immediately.

Accommodated Tests and Summer Exams

If your accommodation plan includes accommodated tests and exams, you may be eligible to write proctored tests in our Testing Centre.

Please communicate with your instructor for all time-based accommodations on non-proctored online tests. For in-person tests and proctored online tests, a scribe, reader, or other accommodation, please complete a test accommodation request through Accommodate.

IMPORTANT: Test requests must be submitted at least 9 days before their scheduled date. We may not be able to accept late requests.

You must submit a separate request for every quiz, test or midterm you want to complete with accommodations. It’s recommended that you do this at the beginning of the semester when you receive the syllabus from your instructor.

There are three steps to completing a test request:

  1. Choose the test time: Select the test time closest to when the rest of your class will be writing and confirm the selection with your instructor. If you have a schedule conflict or your test is scheduled in the evening, you must arrange an alternate date/time with your instructor before submitting your request and forward their approval to tests@msvu.ca. Our Testing Centre is available:
  • Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m.
  • Friday: 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m.

2. Submit your request in Accommodate: Sign into Accommodate, click Testing Room from the menu, and click New Booking Request. Select your course, accommodations, and the test time approved by your instructor. Your request will appear under Pending Booking Requests.

3. Wait for your confirmation: You will receive a confirmation email once your request has been approved. Approved bookings will move to Approved Booking Requests. If your test is less than one week away and you have not received confirmation, please contact tests@msvu.ca.

You can cancel both pending and approved test requests through Accommodate. Please review the Accommodate Student User Guide for more detailed instructions on completing this process.

If you have any questions about the booking process, you can visit the front desk at EMF 108 (below the library), call 902 457 6567, or email tests@msvu.ca for assistance.

Please check in at the Testing Centre at EMF 139 (below the library) 5 minutes before your test. If you are writing in another room, your room number will be provided at check-in.

Final exams written during Summer I and Summer II terms follow the same process. A different process is used for Fall and Winter final exam accommodation requests and is described in the next section below.

Accommodated Fall/Winter Final Exams

Accommodated final exams in the Fall and Winter terms are arranged through the Registrar’s Office and follow a different process than quizzes, tests, and midterms. Find the final exam schedule and the final exam accommodation request form on the Registrar’s Office website at msvu.ca/exams.

  • For December exams, submit the Registrar’s Office Final Exam Accommodation Request Form by November 15th.
  • For April exams, submit the Registrar’s Office Final Exam Accommodation Request Form by March 15th.
  • For Summer Session exams in June or August, complete a Test Accommodation Request in Accommodate, using the same process as quizzes, tests, and midterms.

Need help completing the form? Visit the front desk at EMF 108 (below the library) during opening hours, or attend an Accessibility Advisor’s posted drop-in hours.

The Registrar’s Office will receive your request and send your personalized final exam schedule to your MSVU email address. Please check in for your final exams at Seton 457.

Please send any questions about final exams to exams@msvu.ca.

Grant Funding for Services & Equipment

Students with permanent disabilities may be eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities. This funding can help cover services such as tutors or note-takers, as well as equipment such as a computer or assistive technology.

To learn more about eligibility criteria and the application process, please contact your Province or Territory’s student financial assistance office. We encourage students to explore this funding opportunity before arriving at MSVU.

To request disability-related funding through MyPath, please book a Funding appointment in Accommodate. Your Accessibility Advisor will discuss your needs with you and assist with the funding request process during the appointment. Please note that the MSVU Accessibility Services registration process must be completed before booking a Funding appointment.

Accessible Education Materials

If note-taking is one of your approved accommodations, we will attempt to find a peer note-taker for your class. Please note that note-taking services are not guaranteed, as they rely on a classmate volunteering. If a peer note-taker is not available, please speak with an Accessibility Advisor about alternate options.

After a note-taker submits their notes, you can access them through Accommodate. Select Note-Taker Network from the menu, choose the semester and course using the filters, and then submit the search to view available notes.

You can also request accessible format textbooks through Accommodate. After signing in, select Accommodation > Accessible Format. Choose the course and the format you require to submit your request.

Please discuss any other accessible educational material needs with your Accessibility Advisor.

Parents & Supporters

MSVU Accessibility Services recognizes that parents, guardians, and other supporters may wish to be involved in a student’s transition to university and their experience at MSVU. With the student’s permission, supporters are welcome to participate in first time registration appointments and other initial conversations to help support a smooth transition to university life.

However, it is important to note that once a student reaches the age of 18, their personal information is protected under privacy legislation. Accessibility Services can only share information with parents, guardians, or supporters when the student has provided explicit consent. Consent can be given by completing the Student Information Release Form.

MSVU Accessibility Services is committed to supporting students throughout their academic journey while respecting student privacy, autonomy, and individual preferences.

Please visit the Accommodate and Other Resources page for additional information and supports.

Accommodate

Accommodate Student User Guide