What is a Letter of Accommodation (LOA)?
The Letter of Accommodation (LOA) is a confidential document that provides a written statement of the academic accommodations to which a student registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) is entitled. The LOA describes both in-class accommodations and test/exam accommodations. The accommodations are intended to equalize the opportunity of students in meeting essential program and/or course requirements.
The accommodations listed on the LOA are based on specific disability-related academic needs. For example, a doctor or psychologist may recommend that a student receive extended time on exams, or that the student may need note-taking assistance. Students will talk about these needs with their Disabilities Counsellor during their initial appointment and together they will develop the LOA.
Once the LOA is created, students can access it by using the online CAL Student Portal or by asking a Disabilities Counsellor. Students are responsible for ensuring their professors receive a copy of the LOA each semester if they are seeking accommodations for that course.
What do I do if I have multiple Instructors?
It is the student's responsibility to ensure their instructor(s) receive a copy of the LOA each semester. The instructor information is listed under the 'Courses to Request' section of the Request Accommodations page. Please review this information carefully before you send your LOA. If your instructor changes mid-semester, please ask the new instructor if they have a copy of your LOA. If they do not, you may need to inform your Disabilities Counsellor who can reset your CAL Student Portal and allow you to resend the LOA to the new instructor.
Who is my Disabilities Counsellor?
Each student registered with the CAL is assigned to a Disabilities Counsellor (DC). A Disabilities Counsellor reviews your medical documentation and provides access to appropriate academic accommodations, disability-related counselling, and advocates for you. The name of your Disabilities Counsellor is on the Letter of Accommodation and you may contact them with any questions directly via email.
