Redeemer University is committed to helping students with disabilities reach their full academic potential.

From Our Students

“Faculty and staff at Redeemer were always so helpful and approachable. They allowed me become more independent and confident during my four years on campus.”

“As a visually impaired student at Redeemer, working with accessible learning has been a great experience! The warm and friendly staff work together to accommodate my needs, while helping me to reach my full academic potential. They have helped make my first two years at university incredibly enjoyable!”

How We Can Help

We offer a variety of services and resources allowing us to support and encourage students with disabilities by providing academic accommodations.

We support students with documented disabilities assessed by a third party professional in the following areas:

  • Learning disabilities (recent Psycho-educational assessment required)
  • Attention deficit disorders (recent Psycho-educational assessment required)
  • Vision disabilities
  • Physical disabilities
  • Hearing disabilities
  • Medical disabilities
  • Mental health disabilities
  • Chronic health conditions
  • Acquired brain injury
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Temporary disabilities (medical/physical, mental health)

How do I receive academic accommodations at Redeemer?

Step 1: Complete the Accessible Learning – Academic Accommodation Request Form to register with Accessible Learning.

This form is for students with a permanent or temporary disability who are seeking academic accommodations through Accessible Learning at Redeemer University. New students have access to this form via the admitted student portal.  Current students have access to this form on the Accessible Learning page on the Redeemer App.

Step 2: Submit current relevant documentation

If you completed the online version of the Accessible Learning – Academic Accommodation Request Form you may have uploaded your documentation already. If not, please either email your documentation to learningservices@redeemer.ca or bring in copies to Learning Services.  Please note, if documentation is in process of being obtained then interim accommodations can be discussed (you can still complete the Accessible Learning – Academic Accommodation Request Form).

Step 3: Set up a meeting with Nancy Hartholt to discuss your accommodations

Nancy can be reached by phone at 905-648-2139 ext. 4220 or by email at nhartholt@redeemer.ca.
Her office is Room 100C (inside main office and near Redeemer’s front entrance). Click here to book an appointment with Nancy.

Academic Accommodations

Accessible Learning works with students to provide academic accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations address the limitations experienced by a student with disabilities to allow them to meet the learning outcomes of a course or program of study without resulting in undue hardship to the university. Due to the differences between the academic environments, students may not be given the same form of accommodation that they received previously (e.g. while in high school or college).

If you have any questions, please contact learningservices@redeemer.ca .

Types Of Accommodations

The following accommodations will be considered when supported by your recent documentation:

  • Tests and exams: we have the capacity in Learning Services to accommodate students with fewer distractions, use of a computer or laptop with or without the use of assistive technology (Dragon naturally speaking, JAWS, Natural Reader and Kurzweil) or a scribe, alternative lighting, breaks or additional time.
  • Note-taking support – students may receive notes which can be accessed through Discovery. Receiving class notes acts as a supplement to taking your own notes and not as a replacement to class attendance.
  • Course materials – in most situations we are able to provide an alternate format for course materials
  • Tutoring – Subject and writing tutoring is available for free to all students
  • One on one support is available with Learning Services staff, if needed

Documentation Required

Documentation must come from a registered health care professional experienced in the field of the student’s disability.  It should confirm a diagnosis of disability and include a description of functional limitations that impact academic performance. Students are not required to disclose their diagnosis in order to register for services; however this information can be helpful in completing a thorough assessment for academic accommodation and support needs.

All documentation must be on the practitioner’s official letterhead, indicating name of practitioner, professional credentials, address, phone number, date and signature.

Qualified practitioners include: Physician, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Audiologist, Chiropractor, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist and Speech-Language Pathologist.

Students with a Learning Disability or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Please submit a copy of your latest Psycho-educational assessment completed by a registered psychologist. The assessment should have been completed within three years.

If you are in the process of being assessed, interim accommodations can be considered.

Optional – Scholarships, Grants, and Bursaries for Students with Disabilities:

OSAP (for Ontario Students):

If you will be applying for OSAP, please be aware that there are a few OSAP-related bursaries available. For all of these bursaries, it is recommended that you have the Disability Verification Form completed by one of the recommended health care professionals listed on the form. Please ensure you complete the form that is for Private post-secondary institutions which is the one linked above.

Canadian Federal Grants (for all Canadian students):

For further information, please contact the Learning Services Director, Nancy Hartholt at nhartholt@redeemer.ca.