At St. Mary’s University, academic accommodations are available to students who face barriers that affect their ability to participate fully in their studies. These barriers may be due to a medical condition or disability, or they may relate to non-medical reasons that are protected under human rights legislation.

St. Mary’s has a duty to provide reasonable accommodations, to the point of undue hardship, in line with Alberta’s human rights laws. This means we work with students to help remove or reduce barriers that may impact a student because of a protected ground.

Eligible Students

We accommodate physical, mental, intellectual, learning, or sensory conditions that limit a student’s ability to perform daily tasks needed to pursue their education. We generally look at three categories:

  • Permanent disability: A condition or impairment expected to remain for life.
  • Persistent/prolonged disability: A condition or impairment that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months but not necessarily for life.
  • Temporary disability: A condition or impairment that has lasted, or is expected to last, less than 12 months.

If you believe you qualify for academic accommodations, please contact the Academic Access Coordinator by emailing access@stmu.ca. We are here to help you understand the process, what documentation may be required, and how we can support you during your time at St. Mary’s.

Required Accommodation Documents

To access academic accommodations at St. Mary’s University, students need to provide current documentation that clearly supports the need for accommodations. This helps us understand your specific barriers and determine what supports are reasonable and appropriate.

Acceptable documentation may include:

  • A recent psychological or psycho-educational assessment completed by a qualified professional
  • A Verification of Disability form completed by a licensed medical professional
  • A medical letter or specialist report that outlines the diagnosis (if applicable), functional limitations, and recommended supports
  • For some short-term or temporary conditions, a doctor’s note describing the nature and expected duration of the condition may be accepted

Important: High school IPPs or ISPs alone usually do not meet the documentation requirements at the post-secondary level. However, they can be helpful as part of your history when combined with professional medical documentation

Click here to book your First Accommodation Consultation Meeting

Accommodation Process

Step 1: Self-Identification

In university, support from high school do not automatically carry over. Students need to take the first step by contacting Accessibility Services directly to start the process. This shift encourages students to take an active role in managing their own support plan.

Step 2: Documentation

Students need to provide current documentation that explains how their disability or condition affects learning. This could be a psychoeducational assessment, a medical note, or a mental health diagnosis. If you’re unsure what is acceptable, our Accessibility Services staff can help you determine what’s required.

Step 3: Intake Meeting

Students meet with the Academic Access Coordinator for a supportive conversation to review documentation and discuss what has worked well for them in the past. Together, we develop an accommodation plan that fits the student’s program and learning needs.

Step 4: Accommodation Letter

Once approved, we prepare an Accommodation Letter that outlines the student’s accommodations. With the student’s consent, this letter is shared with instructors so they can put the supports in place. The letter does not share any diagnosis or personal details, only the approved accommodations

Step 5: Ongoing Support

Accessibility Services stays connected throughout the term to adjust accommodations. Supports can be changed as a student’s needs change.