Your Role in Supporting Students with Disabilities

We all have responsibilities for creating an inclusive educational environment and equitable access to full education experience inside and outside of classroom. As a Faculty member you are responsible for:

  • Ensuring course design, content, materials, instruction, labs, and field trips are accessible to all students; such as through the incorporation of UDL.
  • Working with Students and Accessible Learning Services to implement academic accommodations.
  • Recognizing that accommodations are tailored to the student, not disability.
  • Notifying Accessible Learning Services of any accommodation that compromises the course or program’s essential academic requirements/learning outcomes or other concerns.
  • Maintaining students’ dignity, privacy, and confidentiality.

Alternative date/time scheduling conflict form

In the classroom.

Scheduling a Test or Midterm

Log into Accommodate and schedule your test at least 7 days prior to your test through "test request". We require this notice to ensure that a room and a proctor can be assigned.

If you have a class right after your test, please inform us in the "Any additional information?" section, including if you would like to start early to accommodate the extra time

Please contact us if your test time has been changed.

You will be able to view both pending and approved booking requests on your test request page. Pending Booking Requests are submitted requests that our Exam Coordinators are working on confirming spaces for. Approved Booking Requests are rooms the Exam Coordinators have confirmed you are scheduled to write in.

Scheduling

Scheduling a Final Exam?

The Final Exam schedule is posted on the Registrar's Office website on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025. The deadline for all requests to write final exams with accommodations for the Fall 2025 semester is Monday, November 10th at 9:00am.

Once the exam schedule is posted, we send out several reminders to students registered for accommodations. Students will have a month to submit their final exam requests to allow sufficient time to coordinate logistics. We are unable to accept requests after the deadline unless due to unforeseen circumstances.

Please note that requests not related to accommodations (e.g. flights, time of day preference, etc.) are not processed through our department.

Getting ready

Preparing to Write an Accommodated Test

Students may already be writing tests in the room before you arrive. Please be respectful when entering the room and quietly select your seat.

  • Check Accommodate the morning of your test in case of unforeseen room changes
  • Arrive 15 minutes early to check in and ensure you can start on time
  • What to bring
    • Your Student ID or a government-issued picture ID to confirm your identification
    • Pen(s), pencil, laptop & charger (if the test is online), water bottle
  • Leave your valuables at home. Only material authorized by your instructor will be allowed during the test.
Once you arrive
  • Place your phone on Do Not Disturb and place it in your bag at the front/side of the room. Personal belongings are not permitted at your seat; this includes all electronic devices that are not authorized by the instructor as part of the test or part of your accessibility plan
  • Keep your Student ID at your desk. The Proctor must check your ID to sign you in before you may begin the test.
  • Single-use earplugs are available upon request. Please notify the Proctor if you need a set
During the Test
  • Notify the Proctor of questions you have about the test; they will contact the Instructor on your behalf and relay any responses we receive
  • Return your completed test and all testing materials to the Proctor (including cue sheets, formula sheets, scrap paper etc.)
  • If the test is online, the Proctor must confirm your test was submitted before you may access your personal belongings or exit the room
  • Writing a Final Exam and required an early start due to time accommodations, you must remain in the room without access to electronic devices until 30 minutes after the class has begun the test
Test in classroom

Academic Integrity

  • If you are granted permission to write your exam before or after the scheduled test for the class, do not disclose or seek any information about the test. Doing so is considered a breach of academic integrity.
  • If you are suspected of committing an academic offense, you will be directed to stop writing your test, and your instructor will be notified.
Professor with her students

Testing Room Expectations

  1. Come prepared: bring your Acadia student ID, pencils, pen, calculators, laptop, water, etc. Accessible Learning can provide scrap paper, earplugs, and we have a limited quantity of calculators, pencils, etc.

  2. Any instruction from your professor is relayed through the Proctor and Exam Coordinator. If you have any questions or need clarification from questions on the test or exam for your professor, let the Proctor know and they can communicate with your professor.

  3. Before the test, you are required to put away your cellphone, smart watch, other smart devices, notes, etc. (unless otherwise instructed). Bags are to be at the front of the testing room. This is to maintain academic integrity.

  4. Be respectful of yourself, and others in the testing space.
  • Aggressive or intimidating communication or physical behaviour that leads to bodily and/or emotional harm is not tolerated, and you will be asked to leave the testing room. (Acadia University Student Code of Conduct, Standards of Conduct #1)
  • Disruptive behaviour (speech, actions, or unreasonable demands for attention) that interferes with or obstructs instruction, learning, and/or services or access to instruction, learning, or services is not tolerated, and you will be asked to leave the testing room. (Acadia University Student Code of Conduct, Standards of Conduct #7) 
  1. Engaging in conduct that is demeaning, intimidating, harassing, or discriminatory towards one or more members of the Acadia community is not tolerated, and you will be asked to leave the testing room. (Acadia University Student Code of Conduct, Standards of Conduct #10, Acadia’s Policy Against Harassment and Discrimination)

  2. Failure to comply: Refusal of or disregard for a reasonable and appropriate direction or request by a university employee (including proctors), contractor, RCMP or other law enforcement officer, or municipal or civil services professionals will not be tolerated, and you will be asked to leave the testing room. This includes compliance with outcomes and sanctions that are imposed or agreed upon under the Student Code of Conduct. (Acadia University Student Code of Conduct, Standards of Conduct #12)

 

Test in classroom

Are you a student with a permanent disability from Nova Scotia looking for full- or part-time employment to help connect what you are learning in the classroom to the workforce?

Accessible Learning Services is excited to offer the Work Integrated Learning Program, which can help with just that! This program was developed with grant funding from the Province of Nova Scotia and connects students with disabilities with employment opportunities, while also providing employment readiness workshops and support.

This program is offered year-round for part-time and full-time subsidized work placements. Students will work closely with Emily Duffett, Coordinator, Work Integrated Learning to determine employment goals, help to connect what you are learning in the classroom to employment, and find employment opportunities.

Benefits

  • Help build your network and develop professional skills needed in a competitive workforce.
  • Gain relevant experience in your field of interest through subsidized employment opportunities.
  • Develop your skills and competencies through employment, workshops, and networking.
  • Develop career goals while connecting them to what you are learning in the classroom.

Eligibility Criteria for the Wage Subsidy

  • You are:
    • A student with a permanent disability.
    • A student from Nova Scotia.
    • Registered with Nova Scotia Student Assistance (Note: You do not need to be receiving student loans, you simply need a student loan number).

If you don't meet the criteria but you are still interested in learning employment readiness skills, want to meet to talk about goals, or for help connecting what you are learning in the classroom to employment, please email wil@acadiau.ca, as there may still be opportunities to meet and attend workshops.

Learn More

Email wil@acadiau.ca to learn more or to request a meeting. Please note, in most cases meetings will be virtual.

Are you a Nova Scotia employer who is looking to hire additional personnel but don’t have the resources to do so? Acadia University’s Accessible Learning Services is excited to be offering the Work Integrated Learning Program which can help you do just that!

This program was developed with grant funding from the Province of Nova Scotia and connects students with disabilities with employment opportunities, while also providing employment readiness workshops and support. This program is offered year-round for part-time and full-time subsidized work placements. Students will work closely with Emily Duffett, Coordinator, Work Integrated Learning to determine employment goals, help to connect what they are learning in the classroom to employment, and find employment opportunities. They will continue to work closely with the Coordinator throughout the employment placement to ensure needs and expectations are being met. The Coordinator will also check in regularly with the employer to ensure needs and expectations are being met.

The 2017 Canadian Study on Disability found that only 59% of persons with disabilities were in the workforce compared to 80% without a disability. This discrepancy can occur because of several factors including lack of employment opportunities while in school, misunderstanding on the part of employers around disabilities, or even the stigma around employing someone with a disability. The WIL Program aims to help alleviate these concerns, while also making a meaningful contribution to the Nova Scotia economy.

Why hire a student through the Work Integrated Learning Program?

  • A wage subsidy that covers 50% of a $20.00 per hour wage.
  • Ongoing support for both the employer and the student.
  • Professional Development opportunities to learn about disabilities/accommodations in the workforce.
  • Flexible start/end dates and number of hours.
  • Access to students enrolled in any of the degree programs that Acadia offers.

Learn More

Email wil@acadiau.ca for more information about this exciting new program or to request a meeting. Please note, in most cases meetings will be virtual.

Acadia University students are expected to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct. Having a safe and secure learning environment is a fundamental right for everyone. Learning environments include classroom settings, such as the Accessible Learning Services testing rooms. It is vital that a healthy community is created where members respect themselves and each other. All community members have the responsibility to contribute to a community that prioritizes the well-being of self and others. These expectations are outlined in Acadia University’s Student Code of Conduct.

Contact Us

Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm
(During Academic Year)
Rhodes Hall, Rooms 111 - 115
21 University Avenue
Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6
902-585-1823 or 902-585-1291

Testing InquiriesFountain Commons, Room 139 902-585-1605

Grant Inquiries 902-585-1823

Workshops & Academic Support 902-585-1520

Policies
Rhodes Hall