Niagara University in Ontario has a responsibility to provide program access (including physical access, access to programs, services, activities, and instruction) to qualified students with disabilities. This means that the University provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities upon request.
Accessibility Services staff provide accommodations and support for students with documented disabilities who register with their office. The accommodations enable students to fully participate in programs and services available at NU and can include extended time on tests in a separate quiet location, note-taking support, interpreters, alternate formats of printed materials, etc.
Qualified students with disabilities are entitled to accommodations under the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis by Accessibility Services. In order to receive accommodations (including adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services), documentation of disability and needs is required. All information received is considered confidential and released only to appropriate personnel on a need-to-know basis.
All students must meet the academic standards set for admission into Niagara University in Ontario. Once admitted to Niagara, students are responsible for disclosing and documenting disability to Accessibility Services in order to receive accommodations/services. Students are responsible for costs associated with obtaining documentation.
Students with disabilities must register with Niagara University’s Accessibility Services Office, provide documentation of disability, and request needed accommodations. Accessibility Services has the responsibility of determining what reasonable accommodation is and providing the accommodation in a timely manner. Ultimately, a student with a disability requires accommodation only when faced with a task that requires skill that his/her disability precludes.
An accommodation, adjustment, and/or auxiliary aid will not be approved if it is inappropriate or would constitute undue hardship including any that: a) pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others; b) constitute a substantial change or alteration to an essential element of a course or program; c) fundamentally alter the nature of the service provided; and/or d) poses undue financial hardship or administrative burden on the University.
Documentation of disability must include a description of the current functional limitations the individual is likely to have at college due to his/her disability in order to assist Accessibility Services in determining eligibility for disability accommodation at Niagara University. Current and comprehensive disability documentation from a qualified provider (unrelated to the student) who is treating, or has assessed, the specific disability for which accommodations are being requested is required to assist with the determination and provision of appropriate accommodations and auxiliary aids. Providers can either complete the Disability Verification form for this purpose or summarize the requested information in writing on professional letterhead. Students with learning disabilities or ADHD can also provide a copy of their most recent learning assessment for documentation. Documentation MUST include explicit connections between the individual’s functional limitation(s) and ANY recommended accommodations. Documentation should be submitted via email or fax.
Eligibility for reasonable and appropriate accommodations will be determined on a case-by- case/course-by-course basis by the Accessibility Services office.
To access services, students must initiate a request in writing for specific accommodations (alternative format, text enlargement, test accommodations, interpreters, etc.). Students must also take full responsibility for ongoing assistance.
Contact Accessibility Services via Form below.
Phone: 716.286.8072
Fax: 716.286.8063