Welcome to the First Contact and Frequently Asked Questions web page of Disability Services! We have created this web page to assist you to find basic information about our services. Please read through the information below for answers to many common questions. If you are unable to find the information you are seeking, please contact our office by phone at the numbers listed at the bottom of this page.

The Law And The Humber Institute Of Technology And Advanced Learning And The University Of Guelph-Humber

The Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning and the University of Guelph-Humber are governed by provincial and federal Human Rights legislation. This legislation, coupled with ITAL and University policies, stipulates that students with disabilities are entitled to reasonable academic accommodations. Disability Services facilitates the provision of those accommodations.

Due to privacy and confidentiality laws, please be aware that Disability Services will respond to current and potential students only regarding their specific information requests. We cannot respond to parents, guardians, community agencies, or other third parties. Current and potential students wishing to permit others to speak or make inquiries on their behalf must provide written consent for such communication.

Who We Provide Service To

Disability Services (DS) works with current and potential students who have a disabling condition. Students may have one or more of the following disabilities:

• Specific learning disability
• Deaf or hard of hearing
• Mobility impairment
• Blind or low vision
• Mental illness or psychological disability
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Brain or head injury
• Medical conditions
• Other disabilities diagnosed by a regulated health professional

What We Do

Disability Services provides assistance to current and potential students. We assist students with:

• identifying the impact of their disability on learning and academic performance
• selecting academic accommodations that may help minimize the impact of their disability on learning and academic performance
• determining what assistive technology may help minimize the impact of their disability on learning and academic performance
• arranging access to academic accommodations and assistive technology

Academic Accommodations

Academic accommodations are individualized and determined according to the nature of the student’s disability. Accommodations include, but are not limited to, note-takers, scribes, readers, test aides, sign/oral language Interpreters, transcribed learning resources, and access to specialized software and equipment.

We do not provide proofreading, editing, reduction of course standards, and re-phrasing of exam questions.

How To Access Our Services

In order to receive services from Disability Services you will need to provide us with documentation of your disability.

If you have /or suspect you may have a mobility impairment, sensory impairment, mental health condition, or a medical condition, you will need to provide us with documentation from a health care professional that clearly states your diagnosis. If you do not have such documentation available, we will be happy to discuss how you may obtain such documentation. Please contact us even if you do not possess such documentation.

If you have a learning disability you will be required to provide us with documentation supporting that diagnosis. Initially, you may be able to provide only an “IPRC” or “IEP” from your school. We will accept such records as initial documentation and provide you with accommodations and services temporarily. In order to continue to receive accommodations and services you will be required to provide a formal psychoeducational assessment conducted by a psychologist or psychological associate specializing in learning disabilities. If you do not have an up-to-date psychoeducational assessment we will assist you in getting one done. Please contact us even if you do not have a formal psychoeducational assessment.

Why does DS require documentation?

Many disabilities are “invisible”. DS requires documentation of your disability so that we can determine the effects of your disability on your academic performance and designate appropriate academic accommodations. If you have provided DS with documentation, you will not be required to provide documentation verifying your disability to anyone else at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning or the University of Guelph-Humber.

Please note that you may be eligible for financial assistance for equipment or services related to your disability. All financial assistance programs require documented proof of a disability before they will consider your financial aid requests.

When To Contact DS

If you require any academic accommodations because of your disability, you must register with DS. The Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning or the University of Guelph-Humber cannot be held responsible for failing to provide academic accommodations if you have not identified your self as a person with a disability and cooperated in the accommodation process.

All potential and current students must provide DS with at least one week’s notice of their need for academic accommodations (including test accommodations).

New and potential students:

If you have applied to the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning or the University of Guelph-Humber, been accepted to a program, or need to complete admissions testing (such as the CPT), please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your disability and accommodation needs.

Students already studying at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning or University of Guelph-Humber:

If you are already studying at Humber or Guelph-Humber, you can contact us at any point during your studies. However, the earlier in your program you contact us, the sooner we can determine if you are eligible for accommodations, adaptive technology, and support services.

Please remember that you must meet with us in person to receive services and accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions

I think I may have a disability but I’m not sure. What should I do?

If you think you may have a disabling condition please call or stop by our office to speak with a member of the DS team. We will help you to determine what steps you will need to take to obtain an assessment from a health care professional.

I’m not sure what program or courses to take. Can I contact you for academic advising or career planning?

Students or potential students who would like assistance with exploring academic and career options should contact the Counselling and Student Development Service. The link to their website is studentservices.humber.ca/counselling, or you can call (416) 675-5090.

Whom should I send my documentation to verifying my disability?

If you have documentation verifying your disability (such as a psychoeducational assessment of a learning disability, or a medical certificate) please forward it to our office as soon as you have applied to a program. If you are already studying at Humber or Guelph-Humber, please provide us with your documentation as soon as you wish to access our services.

You may fax your documentation to our secure fax line (listed at the bottom of this page) or drop it off to us in person if you are already on campus.

It is not necessary to provide the Registrar’s office with documentation of your disability.

Do students with disabilities receive special consideration for admission?

No. Students with disabilities must meet the same admissions requirements as non-disabled students. Students may, however, receive accommodations for admissions and placement testing.

Does Disability Services decide whether or not a student is accepted into a program?

No. Humber and Guelph-Humber make this determination based on whether or not a student meets the admission requirements and standards.

I have been notified that I need to write the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) and/or other admissions testing. I need to use test accommodations. What should I do?

When you receive notification that you must write a CPT and/or other admissions testing and you require accommodations, contact our office and we will arrange a time with you to complete the testing in our department. If this is your first contact with our office, please remember to bring your disability documentation with you. Please note that you must contact Humber’s Test Centre to inform them that you will be writing your admissions test in our department.

>> Computerized Placement Tests (CPT) Page

Whom should I contact if I have a question about a specific academic program or course?

Such inquiries should be directed to the co-ordinator of the program. You can obtain contact information for program co-ordinators by searching the Humber website or by calling our Enquiry Centre at (416) 675-5000.

Do Humber and Guelph-Humber offer the same services as Special Education departments in secondary schools?

Accommodations that are often provided in high schools, such as proofreading, reduction of course standards, and re-phrasing of exam questions, are not offered. Students with disabilities must meet the same program requirements as students without disabilities.

Accommodations are provided based on an assessment of individual need and professional documentation. Examples of academic accommodations include extra time for tests, reduced course load, and access to computers and assistive devices.

If you have questions about the distinctions between “Disability Services” and “Special Education”, please contact DS personnel.

Are students who have been labeled “exceptional/communications” eligible for services from DS?

It depends. DS does not recognize “exceptional/communications” as a sufficient diagnostic statement. If a clear diagnosis from an appropriate professional is not available, the student may require further diagnostic testing.

Will the teachers be flexible in their testing procedures and assignments?

Testing and assignments are accommodated according to the student’s documented disability-related needs. Limited flexibility may be possible depending on individual circumstances.

Is all information that is disclosed to DS treated confidentially and respectfully?

Disability Services treats all student information and communication as confidential. We require written permission from registered students before we can speak with anyone regarding their disability.

Can difficulties be discussed with teachers, program co-ordinators, and the DS Office?

Yes, at any time. Students are welcome to enlist the support of personal advocates, but students must be prepared to express their perspectives themselves. DS encourages students to be independent self-advocators.

What other services and assistance are available at Humber and Guelph-Humber for students with disabilities?

Like any Humber/Guelph-Humber student, students with disabilities may access Counselling and Student Development, Peer Tutoring, Career Services, Athletics, Health Services, and all other student services.

Can I call the DS Office for further information?

Please do. Students making the transition to post-secondary studies have many adjustments to make and can benefit from the information and assurance that DS can offer. There are many support services that can be accessed once the student’s disability has been properly identified.

How To Contact DS

DS has offices at both the North campus and the Lakeshore campus. Students should contact the office at the campus where their program is offered.

Please review the information contained on our web pages before you contact us. We respond to thousands of phone, email and in-person inquiries each year. Although we make every effort to respond to inquiries in a timely manner you may find quick answers to your questions on our web pages and thus avoid the frustration of waiting for a response from our office.

Disability Services (DS)

North campus:
Phone #: (416) 675-6622, x.5180
Fax #:(416) 675-6219

Lakeshore campus:
Phone #: (416) 675-6622, x.3265
Fax #:(416) 252-8800