Getting Academic Accommodations at College or University in BC

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Students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, mental health conditions, or other disabilities can request academic accommodations at BC colleges and universities through the institution's accessibility or disability services office. The student is responsible for registering, usually by providing documentation from a qualified professional, such as a psychoeducational assessment, and meeting with an advisor. Common accommodations include extra time on exams, a quieter exam room, note-taking support, and assistive technology. Unlike high school, support does not follow students automatically, and IEPs do not carry over, so it is important to register early, ideally before classes start.

How the Process Usually Works

1. Find the accessibility office. Every BC public post-secondary institution has an office that supports students with disabilities, sometimes called accessibility services, a centre for accessibility, or disability resource centre.
2. Gather documentation. Most offices require recent documentation from a qualified professional that confirms a diagnosis and explains how it affects learning.
3. Register and meet an advisor. You will discuss your needs and agree on accommodations.
4. Arrange accommodations each term. Many institutions require you to request exam accommodations by set deadlines.
5. Communicate with instructors as needed, without having to share your diagnosis with them.

Documentation Requirements

Requirements vary between institutions, so check the specific school's guidelines. Many offices prefer:

• A recent assessment, often completed within the last few years or after age 18 for learning disabilities, though some accept older reports.
• A clear diagnosis from a qualified professional, such as a registered psychologist.
• A description of functional limitations, meaning how the condition affects learning, exams, or coursework.
• Recommendations for accommodations.

A high school IEP alone is often not enough, but it can help as supporting information. If your last assessment was in elementary school, an updated adult assessment may be needed, as described on the page about learning disabilities in adults.

If You Have Never Been Assessed

Some students reach college or university without ever having been assessed, either because difficulties were not noticed in school or because they coped until the workload increased. If you are struggling with reading, writing, attention, or exams despite effort, it is worth talking to your institution's accessibility office, which can explain what documentation is required and may offer interim support while you seek an assessment. An assessment can take time to arrange, so starting early in the term, or before classes begin, helps. Some students also find that an assessment identifies strengths and study strategies that make a meaningful difference, even beyond formal accommodations.

Common Accommodations

• Extra time on exams and tests
• A quieter or private exam room
• Note-taking support or permission to record lectures
• Assistive technology, such as text-to-speech, speech-to-text, or alternative formats for readings
• Breaks during exams
• Reduced course load while still being considered a full-time student for some purposes

Funding and Other Supports

Students who receive student aid may be eligible for disability-related grants that help pay for equipment, services, and in some cases assessments. StudentAid BC can explain current options. The disability resources page also lists provincial and federal programs.

Tips for a Smooth Transition

• Register early, ideally after you are accepted and before classes begin.
• Know your strengths and needs so you can explain what helps, as described on the page about self-advocacy skills for autistic adults.
• Use campus resources such as learning strategists, writing centres, and counselling.
• Plan for stress. Exams can trigger anxiety, as described on the page about test anxiety.

What It Is Not

Accommodations are not an unfair advantage. They remove barriers so students can show what they know. They also do not lower academic standards. Students are expected to meet the same course requirements as their classmates.

Getting Support at Pacific Maple Psych Centre

If you are heading to college or university and need documentation of a learning disability, ADHD, or another condition, an up-to-date assessment can help you access the support you need.