Accommodations are not automatic for students with disabilities

Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis and there are responsibilities that you have to meet in order to secure them. You should be aware that you may not receive all the accommodations you request, nor will you necessarily receive the accommodations you had in high school or at any other educational institution.

How to Access CAL Services

Downloadable file of "How to Access CAL Service" (.docx format).

This document outlines the five steps that SFU students seeking academic accommodations must follow in order to establish and utilize their accommodations. Steps 1,2, and 3 involve establishing accommodations while steps 4 and 5 involve utilizing accommodations. Please note that steps 1, 2, and 3 outlined within this document must be completed by week 10 of the term.

Step 1: Complete the Application

To indicate your interest in being considered for accommodations and to provide initial information about the nature and impact of your disability, complete the application form as soon as possible. If you are unable to access the online form, please email us at caladmin@sfu.ca to request a PDF version of the application.

Step 2: Submit Documentation

Please provide documentation of your disability so that a Disability Access Advisor may determine entitlement to services and gain additional insight into the specific functional limitations you experience. This documentation must be authoritative, comprehensive and current.

CAL has developed forms (downloadable from our website) to capture the specific information needed for reviewing conditions:

·         Verification of Disability Form (not for use with psychiatric disabilities, ADHD or LD)

·         Verification of Psychiatric Disability Form

·         Verification of ADHD Form

·         Verification of Visual Disability Form

·         Verification of Concussion Injury Form

**Other documentation which provides equivalent information in a different format can also be submitted for consideration** See sample documentation requirements.

Step 3: Meet with a CAL Disability Access Advisor for an Intake Appointment

Before you attend your Intake Appointment, you may wish to read about Meeting with a Disability Access Advisor for tips on what to expect during your appointment and some important questions you may want to ask.

Step 4: Activate your Accommodations Online (if eligible)

Once your Disability Access Advisor has determined your eligibility for accommodations, you will use an online system to send notifications of these accommodations to your instructors. You must do so for each class and renew them every term.

Step 5: Book your Accommodated Tests Online

In order to access accommodations for tests, you must book each test on our online system within our deadlines – 1 week prior to each test/midterm, and 2 weeks before the start of the final exam period.

Please contact us if you have any questions! Call 778.782.3112 or email caladmin@sfu.ca