Aerial view of UM Fort Garry Campus

Student Accessibility Services

Welcome new students!

  • Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is open for new intakes year round. Intake appointment wait times may be 2 to 3 weeks depending on accessibility coordinator availability.

How to register with Student Accessibility Services

Arranging for academic accommodations and support takes time. Contact our office as soon as possible to start the process.

  • icon documents

    Collect your documentation

  • icon steps

    Complete the online intake form

  • icon counselling

    Meet with an accessibility coordinator

  • icon lightbulb

    Activate your accommodations

  • icon communication

    Follow up as needed

Step 1: Collect your documentation

Before you begin your registration with SAS, complete the following documents:

Note: Students with documented learning disabilities are required to provide a copy of their most recent psycho-educational assessment.

If you cannot fill out the form, you can instead provide the following medical documentation to SAS.

  • A clinical diagnosis of your relevant medical condition(s)
  • The name of the person who made the diagnosis and their credential(s)
  • The date of the testing
  • Indicators of how your condition(s) affect you day to day
  • A recommendation of accommodations you need, such as: extended time for tests/exams, note sharing, braille or large-print textbooks
  • Duration of your condition(s) (temporary or permanent), and length of time you’ll need accommodations

Please contact our office directly if you or your registered health professional are unsure about the type of information required.

All personal health and medical information is kept confidential. Registration with SAS is not indicated on academic transcripts. 

Are you waiting on documentation?

Please fill out the online intake form if you are still waiting on documentation from your registered health professional. An accessibility coordinator will meet with you to discuss your needs, but accommodations will not be implemented until documentation is received.

Step 2: Complete the online intake form

Once you have all your documentation gathered, you must complete the online intake form. 

Alternate format versions of the form and registration options for prospective students with no UM student email are available by contacting our office. 

Using the Online Intake form

  1. Select the Online intake link on the right of this page.
  2. Log-in with your UMNetID and multi-factor authentication.
  3. If you arrive at a menu screen, select the "Online Intake" module link which is third down on the left-hand side.
  4. Please read through the initial information on the form and verify your First Name, Last Name, Student Number and Email address as provided by Aurora.  
  5. Proceed to provide the information requested in the form, paying specific attention to the Current Concerns section. 
  6. We encourage you to upload the SAS Confidentiality and Exchange of Information form and the Verification of Disability (or other medical documentation) when submitting. Please consolidate photo files into one document (.doc, .pdf) as there are limits to the number of files you may upload. 

    If you do not have documentation yet available or if your medical professional is sending a copy to our office, you may indicate this on the form. 

  7. Submit the form and the intake team will be in touch to schedule an appointment. 

Step 3: Meet with an accessibility coordinator

After completing your intake form, an initial appointment with your assigned Accessibility Coordinator will be scheduled. During this meeting you will be invited to discuss:

  • The barriers you are experiencing to your learning
  • The supporting documentation
  • The accommodations to be provided
  • Why, when, and how they will be provided
  • Who is responsible for providing them
  • How your information is protected

Step 4: Activate your accommodations

Once your registration is complete and you have returned a signed Confidentiality and Exchange of Information form, you may activate your accommodations and send letters to your instructors from the Student Portal. You are required to activate your accommodations for each term.

What’s in a letter of accommodation? 

Only your name, student number and the list of accommodations are shared with your instructor. Medical documentation and personal health information are kept confidentially within the SAS office.

Step 5: Follow up if you need more assistance.

Contact your Accessibility Coordinator when something has changed in your circumstances or if your accommodations have not been implemented in a timely and effective manner. We will advocate on your behalf and help connect you with available resources.

Assistance for accessibility at University of Manitoba

While accommodation plans are tailored for each student, there are some common options and programs available to SAS registered students.

Two arms resting on a notepad sitting on a small desk. A black pen is in the right hand of the notetaker.

Testing accommodations

Accommodations for tests and exams are designed to reduce barriers students with disabilities may experience when completing timed assessments. These can be environmental, time-based, or ergonomic barriers. The SAS Exam Centre is equipped with assistive technologies, ergonomic seating, and other assistive devices.

Students walk the path in front of Tier Building on Fort Garry campus in winter.

Physical accommodations

SAS works with Physical Plant and classroom schedulers to implement options for students requiring accessible seating and classrooms. We advocate for ongoing and improved universal accessibility on campus.

An over the shoulder look at a student's laptop screen that shows an open word processor

Alternate format media accommodations

Students with documented perceptual and print disabilities can access alternate format materials for textbooks, course and assessment materials. SAS works with Alternate Format Manitoba to connect students with accessible course materials as soon as possible.

Individual typing on a laptop, only torso and hands shown.

Assistive Technology accommodations

Assistive technology accommodations address barriers that prevent students participating or accessing information by providing additional ways to demonstrate knowledge and access course content.

Student looking at a book, sitting in large room with a laptop and writing materials on the table.

Thesis and dissertation accommodations

Master's and Ph.D. program accommodations are discussed between a student, the graduate chair and/or thesis advisor, the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, and the SAS Accessibility Coordinator to ensure bona fide academic requirements (BFARs) are upheld.

Three adults chatting around a low table on black couches beside a full sized frosted window.

Practicum, co-op, and fieldwork placement accommodations

Accommodations may be arranged for professional programs with placement requirements. Placement accommodations are discussed with a student, their faculty and SAS to ensure essential skills and professional association standards are upheld.

Man with hat sitting at a laptop to the left of a woman writing in a notebook in a classroom setting.

Support staff accommodations

Some accommodations may require a SAS staff member to be available during classes and/or assessments. These staff include ASL-English interpreters, transcriptionists, and academic attendants.

Volunteer note sharing

SAS relies on student volunteer notetakers to anonymously share notes with students who have academic accommodations related to notetaking and access to course materials.

Support fellow learners reach their academic goals. Join our team of volunteer notetakers! Participation is simple: 

  1. Sign up to be a volunteer notetaker
  2. Write your class notes in the format you are most comfortable (e.g. typed or handwritten)
  3. Upload them to the SAS Notetaker Portal.

Benefits of note sharing reported by past notetakers:

  • Improved quality of notes
  • Increased attention to detail
  • Increased motivation to participate in course

Volunteers receive credit on their Experience Record at the end of the academic year for regularly uploading notes each term. 

Uploading notes in the student portal

Written Instructions

After you log into the SAS Portal with multi-factor authentication:

  1. Select "Note-takers" on the homepage or, if you automatically arrived at the Volunteer Note Sharing help screen, select the "Courses/notes" option in the top left corner.
  2. You may be required to fill in some personal info or it will be auto-filled from Aurora. Note that the bottom portion of the page asking for your address is not required by our office.
  3. On the next page, a list of your course codes will appear. For each class that you would like to volunteer, please click "upload sample notes".
  4. Select the date that the notes are from in the calendar drop down. Click "browse" to upload the files from your computer. Once complete, select "Submit notes".
  5. You may now view the notes you have submitted.
  6. If have been selected to be a volunteer notetaker, you will receive an automatic email notification from the SAS office. In the portal you will see that you have been selected beside the course code. Continue to upload all of your notes in the same way, the only difference now is that the link says "Upload notes."

Screenshot instructions

After you log into the SAS Portal with multi-factor authentication

  1. If you arrive on the SAS Portal menu screen, select the "Note-takers" module link.
SAS Portal main menu with the Note-Takers icon circled in the second row, fourth column.
  1. Select "Course / notes" in the upper left hand corner under the UM Logo. 
Note-taker help screen with an arrow pointing at Course / Notes in the top left corner under the UM logo
  1. If you are a first time volunteer notetaker, you must complete a profile. 

    a. The top information should be pre-filled from Aurora. 

    b. The second half asks for your address and other unnecessary information. You are not required to complete this information. 

    c. Select "Next" to proceed.

The Note-taker registration page with a circle around the required information and a large X crossing out the unnecessary information. An arrow points to "Next"
  1. a. Read through and agree to the terms and confidentiality agreement.

    b. Select "Next" to continue.

Note-taker agreement page with an arrow labelled A pointing at the agreement checkbox, an arrow labelled B pointing to the next button.
  1. a. Add courses to your profile by selecting from the list of courses in which you are registered. 

    b. Click "Add selected course(s)" to continue.   

Note-taker choose course page with a list of courses bracketed and labelled A. An arrow labelled B pointing to "Add selected course(s)"
  1. Uploading sample notes for each course helps students determine if your notes fit their learning style. 

    a. Select the lecture date and then "Browse" to select a file from your computer. Note: It is very helpful to consolidate documents related to one lecture into a single file for uploading.

    b. Select "Submit notes" to continue. 

    c. Sample notes already on file will be listed in the table at the bottom of this screen.

Screen for uploading sample notes with three date fields and upload browse fields. An arrow A points to the first Browse button. An Arrow labelled B points to the "Submit notes" button. A circle labelled C is around an empty table at the bottom
  1. The Notetaker Courses table has headings, "My courses", "I have been selected" and "My lecture notes". 

    a. If you have not been chosen as a notetaker, you may continue to "Upload sample notes". 

    b. Once you have been selected as a notetaker, you will upload your notes per course by selecting "Upload lecture notes".

Notetaker courses screen with a circle labelled A around a link to "upload sample notes" and an arrow labelled B pointing to Upload Lecture notes
  1. Once on the Lecture Notes screen,

    a. select the "Upload a lecture note" button.

Lecture notes screen with a table with headings "Lecture date", "Comments", "Action". An arrow labelled A points to a button "Upload a lecture note"
  1. b. Select the date of the lecture using the date selector.

    c. Select the "Browse" button to upload notes.

    d. You may add optional comments.

    e. Select "Submit" to complete the upload.

An upload lecture screen with an arrow labelled B pointing at the lecture date field. An arrow labelled C indicates the Browse button. A circle labelled D is around the optional comment section. An arrow labelled E points to submit.
  1. Other actions you may take on the Notetaker Courses page:

    a. To add another course to your list, select the "Add a new potential course" button.

    b. To remove yourself from a course, find the course in the dropdown.

    c. Select the "Remove this course" button.

Notetaker courses screen with an arrow labelled A pointing at the option to add more courses. An arrow labelled B pointing to a course dropdown. An Arrow labelled C pointing to "Remove this course"
  1. You may provide us with information about why you are removing yourself from the course as a notetaker. Note: If you drop a course, this will automatically remove that course from the notetaker system.
Screen to confirm and provide comment for removing a course as a notetaker

Funding opportunities for students with disabilities

Funding is available to students with disabilities through provincial and national student aid programs as well as through UM Financial Aid and Awards.

Canada Student Grant (CSG) Programs

To be considered for CSG programs, you must be eligible for Student Aid and complete a Student Aid application. The process of applying for the Canada Student Grant for Persons with Disabilities (CSG-PD) begins by indicating you are a student with a permanent, or prolonged or persistent disability on your Student Aid application.

There are two parts to the CSG program for students with disabilities – CSG-PD and CSG-DSE (Services and Equipment)

  1. CSG-PD requires a disability verification form be filled out by your doctor. The grant money you receive can be used to cover tuition and other expenses at your discretion while you are in school.
  2. CSG-DSE is an itemized grant that provides funds for specific services and equipment that students request. You and your accessibility coordinator fill out this form together each term in which you request funding. A disability-related rationale is required for each service or equipment request. Students are required to provide Student Aid with receipts and records of how CSG-DSE money was spent at the end of the study period.
    • Funding requests for services can include: exam proctoring, note taking support, subject tutoring, ASL interpreter, etc.
    • Funding requests for equipment can include: computers, software, assistive technologies, etc. There are cost and frequency of request limitations.  

Each provincial funding organization and national funding organization communicates with students in different formats. Make sure all your contact information, including mailing address, is up-to-date so you do not miss important information.

Scholarship Opportunities

Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships and bursaries through UM Financial Aid and Awards. The SAS newsletter often includes information about specific awards available to SAS students.

More information about scholarships


Arun Sud Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an SAS-registered student based on academic achievement and extra-curricular participation at UM or in the community. 

 

Forms, policies and resources

Contact us

Student Accessibility Services

Fort Garry campus

520 UMSU University Centre
66 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6 Canada

SAS Exam Centre

155 UMSU University Centre
66 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6 Canada

Bannatyne campus

S211 Medical Services Building
750 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2 Canada

204-474-7423 (Main office)
204-474-6213 (Exam Centre)
204-272-3190 (Bannatyne campus)
204-474-7567
Fort Garry office: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Exam Centre: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.