Academic Accommodations
The Accessibility Department is the centralized point for activities related to students with disabilities. Disabilities can include acquired brain injury, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, visual and hearing impairments, physical and mobility limitations, medical and mental health disorders, and learning disabilities. The department serves as a resource for teachers and staff who work with students with disabilities. The Accessibility Leader and Coordinator can answer questions, provide information, and support students in their accommodations. The Accessibility Department provides individualized supports for the full range of learning needs through a system-wide cohesive approach that respects and embraces the Anishinaabe language and culture.
Academic accommodation is an arrangement that allows a student with a disability a fair opportunity to engage in academic activities and fulfill essential course and program requirements. Accommodation does not remove essential requirements of a course or a program. It does not fundamentally alter exam content, nor requirements that students independently demonstrate their knowledge of course material.
Elementary & High Schools
• Accommodations are made based on IPRC, IEP and Transition Plans
Colleges & Universities
• Accommodations are made for documented disabilities
• Accommodations may be made unless it would fundamentally alter an essential element of the course or program
Contact the Accessibility Department to schedule an individual meeting to assist in your transition to Seven Generations Education Institute. This may include a campus tour, a review of available assistive technology and a discussion of potential accommodations.
Confidentiality is maintained within the parameters of Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Accessing Services
The Accessibility Department provides academic accommodation and support to students with permanent or temporary disabilities. Interim accommodations may also be available to students who are in the process of being assessed for a disability or in the process of acquiring documentation to verify their disability. Students are encouraged to self-identify with the Accessibility Department as early as possible in the admission process, to plan accommodations that will equalize opportunities to participate in all learning and evaluation activities within Seven Generations Education Institute.
Secondary
| Students with Documentation of Disability | Students without Documentation of Disability |
| • Provide the Accessibility Department with a copy of the student’s previous Individual Education Plan (IEP) or other documents; and • The new individual education plan will be developed based on the functional restrictions and limitations as a result of the disability |
• The Accessibility Department and the student will develop an interim accommodation plan; and • Determine whether additional documentation of the disability can be secured by the student from a registered health practitioner; or • Determine whether the student is a suitable candidate for a psychoeducational assessment |
Post-Secondary
| Students with Documentation of Disability | Students without Documentation of Disability |
| • Provide the Accessibility Department with a copy of the document; and • The accommodation plan will be developed based on the functional restrictions and limitations identified within the document |
• The Accessibility Department and the student will develop an interim accommodation plan; and • Determine whether additional documentation of the disability can be secured by the student from a registered health practitioner |
Contact the Accessibility Department to schedule an individual meeting to assist in your transition to Seven Generations Education Institute. This may include a campus tour, a review of available assistive technology and a discussion of potential accommodations.
Accessibility Services
If you need access to technology for disability-related purposes, the Accessibility Department has a loan service that may help. We have some equipment available through our loan service that you can borrow. Training on how to use the Adaptive Technology is also available.
Equipment Available for Loan:
- Chromebooks
- C-Pen Reader 2
- Livescribe Echo 2 Smartpens
- Noise-cancelling headphones with a microphone
Seven Generations Education Institute has secured Google’s Read&Write for all staff and students. Read&Write is designed to help everyone engage with digital content in a way that suits their individual learning styles.
If you think you may have a disability, the Accessibility Department can meet with you to discuss your concerns. You may qualify for a referral for an assessment.
FAQs
FAQs for parents/supporters
In high school, you may have been more involved in guiding your student’s academic and personal decisions. However, in college/university, your student is now an adult. Your role shifts more toward providing support and encouragement as your student navigates greater independence. Your student will take on the responsibility of advocating for themselves. Your role may involve being a source of encouragement or providing emotional support as your student faces the academic and personal challenges that come with starting their post-secondary education.
Speak with your student about whether or not they would like you to attend, and respect their decision if they would like to attend alone. If they do agree to include you, it is helpful if you see your role as providing emotional support and facilitating communication if the need arises. Let your student take the lead in the appointment to help them build confidence in their ability to discuss their needs and self-advocate.
In high school, accommodations are based on their Individual Education Plan (IEP.) Course requirements can be modified by the teacher, guidance counsellor, or principal. In college/university, accommodations are based on functional limitations defined in documentation from health professionals. Essential course requirements cannot be modified or removed.
FAQs for students
- Contact the Accessibility Department prior to the start of the semester, or as soon as possible after a new concern is identified.
- Meet with the Accessibility Department to provide documentation and discuss appropriate accommodations.
- Communicate with instructors to advocate for your academic success.
- Meet with the Accessibility Department to discuss progress, changes in or concerns with accommodations.
- Review student documentation.
- Meet with student to discuss needs/reasonable accommodations.
- Meet with instructors and Program Coordinators as needed to discuss current accommodations.
- Create an Accommodation Letter and provide it to the student and Program Coordinator.
- Meet with the student to discuss progress, changes in or concerns with accommodations.
- Recommend other support resources as necessary.
- Meet with instructors and Program Coordinators as needed to discuss concerns or new accommodations.
- Receive the Accommodation Letter from the Program Coordinator.
- Discuss accommodation needs with the student in a confidential manner.
- Collaborate with the student and Accessibility Department on accommodation needs, changes or concerns.
- Create an inclusive learning environment for the student.
- Schedule exams/labs/assignments to meet accommodations as necessary.
- Refer the student to the Accessibility Department if they believe a student may need additional accommodations.
- Receive the Accommodation Letter from the Accessibility Department and distribute it to the student’s instructors.
- Discuss any concerns related to the Accommodation Letter or the student with the Accessibility Department.
- Ensure classroom needs are met.
- May oversee accommodations with instructors.
Yes. We offer services and supports to students with permanent and temporary disabilities, health conditions and injuries. If you are unsure if you would qualify for temporary accommodations, please contact the Accessibility Department.
No. All disability-related documentation is confidential. The Accessibility Department does not release information about diagnoses to instructors. Instructors are only provided with the Accommodation Letter that outlines the information they need to implement your academic accommodations appropriately. Information about your disability will not be included on any transcripts or diplomas.
If your instructors are not providing your approved accommodations, confirm that they have received a copy of your Accommodation Letter. Offer to discuss your accommodation needs and concerns with your instructor. If the accommodations are still not being provided, contact the Accessibility Department with questions and concerns as needed.
Not all recommendations included in psychoeducational assessments work for colleges/universities. The rigour and requirements of college and university programs may not align with all recommendations, and the academic integrity of the program must be protected. Essential course requirements cannot be modified or removed.
No. All high school records are kept at the last school the student attended.
The Accessibility Department can meet with you to discuss your concerns. You may qualify for a referral for an assessment. Refer to the Pathways to Assessment to see an outline of the process.
Contact Us
Rainy Lake Campus
Kelly Forbes, Accessibility Leader
kellyf@7generations.org
(807) 274-2796 x 1205
Kenora Campus
Terri Forster, Accessibility Coordinator
terrif@7generations.org
(807) 468-3096 x 3233