Accommodation Review Process

Review Your Plan and Access Supports

• Review your plan to understand each recommendation and how it aligns with your identified needs and documentation.   
• Access the supports and resources recommended (such as assistive technology, counselling or skill-building services).  
• Meet with your Accessibility Counsellor to discuss your concerns and how your disability may affect your learning. Additional medical or psychological documentation may be requested. This documentation should:
  • describe your disability-related functional limitations; and
  • explain how these limitations impact your participation in the academic setting.

Note: Medical or psychological documentation should describe how your disability affects you, not simply suggest specific accommodations. Student Accessibility Services is responsible for determining appropriate accommodation recommendations within this environment.

SAS Consultation Process

If you believe your accommodation plan does not fully address your access needs, your accessibility counsellor can take your request to the SAS Team Consultation. 

Communicate the following information to your Accessibility Counsellor:

• the disability-related barrier(s) you are experiencing;
• relevant information about your disability that you feel should be considered; and
• any additional documentation, if available.

Your accessibility counsellor will present this to the SAS Consultation Team, which includes occupational therapists, social workers, education specialists, psychologists and/or SAS management). Decisions are made collaboratively by the team, not by any individual.

Your accessibility counsellor will communicate the team’s decision and rationale within two weeks of your request.

In some cases, an external third-party review of documentation may be requested to better understand disability-related academic impacts. If recommended, you will be informed of the process and expected timeline.

Request a Second-Level Review

If you remain dissatisfied after the decision from the SAS Team Consultation, you may request a second-level review, in writing. Your request should include:

• the accommodation(s) you believe is required;
• information about your disability that was not considered in the previous review;
• the impact the requested accommodations would have on your access to the learning environment (For example, if requesting extra time, outline how you intend to use the extra time.); and
• any additional supporting evidence;

A multidisciplinary accommodation review committee comprising of accessibility specialists, psychological and medical professionals and senior leadership within York’s Division of Students will review the request.

The committee will issue a written decision within three weeks of receiving the request. This decision is final.

Any proposed services, supports or accommodations that the institution is prepared to offer should not be withheld from a student pending a review.

At any stage of this process, students may pursue other appeal or complaint options available to them, both within and outside York University, including a case consultation through York’s Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion or via the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal.