Eligibility for Academic Accommodations

Interim accommodations are available to eligible students 

1. who are experiencing ongoing medical symptoms that restrict their ability to participate in the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary level, and
2. whose healthcare practitioner(s) are actively investigating their medical symptoms to determine a diagnosis(es). 

Interim accommodations are approved on the condition that students promptly notify the University of the outcome of their medical investigation(s) and, where applicable, submit comprehensive medical documentation in support of their accommodation eligibility.

In addition to the University’s Accommodation Guidelines, please note the following Interim Accommodation Guidelines: 

• How to Apply for Interim Accommodations: To apply for interim accommodations, students must complete the Application for Accommodations Based on Medical Protected Grounds, including supporting medical documentation that indicates the expected date of diagnosis and the functional impacts of current medical symptoms. Qualified healthcare practitioners may complete the University of Alberta Verification of Disability Form. Alternatively or in addition, healthcare practitioners may provide detailed written reports that fulfil these requirements. 
• Duration: Interim accommodations are approved for the expected duration of your medical investigation to a maximum of four months, and must submit updated medical documentation in order to continue to receive accommodations beyond this time frame.
• Expiry Date: If you are approved for interim accommodations, you will be notified of the expiry date of the interim accommodations.
• Extension of Interim Accommodations: If your medical investigation is still ongoing and you wish to apply for an extension to your interim accommodations, you must submit updated supporting medical documentation before the expiry date to the Submission of Additional Accommodation Documentation form. 
  • PLEASE NOTE: students are asked to submit additional supporting documentation to the Submission of Additional Accommodation Documentation form, because it is not advisable to submit accommodation-related documents by email due to privacy concerns. 
• Once Your Medical Investigation is Completed: you must promptly notify us of the outcome of the investigation (i.e., within one week).
  • If your medical investigation resulted in a diagnosis of a physical or mental disability (i.e., a medical condition), you must promptly submit detailed supporting medical documentation that explains and verifies your medical condition in support of your request for accommodations. Your healthcare practitioner may complete the University of Alberta Verification of Disability Form. Alternatively or in addition, healthcare practitioners may provide detailed written reports that fulfil these requirements. Your documentation will then be assessed to determine your eligibility for accommodations. PLEASE NOTE: any accommodations assigned as interim accommodations may differ from any accommodations that are assigned based on comprehensive medical documentation submitted in support of your request for accommodations..
  • If your medical investigation resulted in no physical or mental disability (i.e., a medical condition), you will no longer be eligible to access accommodations and your interim accommodations will be cancelled. You will be referred to other University services for assistance.
• Notification of Other Applicable University Procedures and/or Services: Accommodations are not the only support option available to students and, when approved, do not replace or override other University regulations, policies, or procedures. We advise all students of other applicable University procedures and of services that may be helpful to them. 

• Students experiencing academic challenges associated with English as an additional or second language are not eligible for accommodations.
• For students with additional or second language learning challenges, developing strong academic skills is especially important. Contact the Academic Success Centre about available workshops or to book an appointment with a specialist who will help you address your concerns.
• International Student Services has a wide range of services, including language learning programs.

• Students experiencing academic difficulties not related to medical or non-medical protected grounds are not eligible for accommodations.
• Academic Success Centre appointments and workshops can help students to develop academic learning, writing, and communication skills and to address their academic concerns. Staff can help you adapt your studying, paper writing, exam, and other academic skills to different learning contexts.

• Students who have self-diagnosed physical or mental health conditions are not eligible for disability-related academic accommodations.
• If you think you have a physical or mental health condition with which you need assistance, there are many health and wellness services available for University of Alberta students.

Students with acute illnesses and injuries that restrict their ability to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary level for short periods of time may be eligible for excused absences, deferrals, or other permitted leaves of absence from or modifications to academic assessments and other program requirements. To explore these options,

• consult your course outlines and promptly contact your instructors. 
• undergraduate students should contact their Faculty or program office for information about absences from academic attendance and assessments; graduate students should contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
• review the Office of the Registrar’s What To Do When You are Sick (Students) exam-related information.
• review the University Calendar sections on Examinations and Attendance.

If the restrictions caused by your acute illness or injury persist or require more assistance and/or assistance for longer than your instructor(s)/program/Faculty is able to provide with standard excused absences, deferrals, and academic modifications, you may be eligible for accommodations based on temporary disability. Review our accommodation application processes, eligibility, and required documentation. 

If you have questions or require assistance, please email arrec@ualberta.ca.