Faculty

The SAS Faculty Portal allows you to view SAS students in your courses and the SAS-approved accommodations that they have requested in your courses. You can read the Faculty Notification Letter and view the student’s SAS Advisor, who can be contacted if you have questions or concerns about a student’s accommodations.  

In addition, you complete Alternative Testing Agreements in the SAS Faculty Portal, which provides key information about the tests and exams in your course to the SAS Exam Centre and allows you to securely upload a copy of your exam for them to access.   

Faculty members play a crucial role in implementing approved SAS accommodations in their courses, or reaching out to SAS Advisors to negotiate a reasonable alternative. This includes providing accessible course materials, facilitating exam accommodations, and ensuring an inclusive learning environment.

Learn more about typical academic accommodations.
See our Faculty Resources page for support and strategies.

Students registered with SAS will request what approved SAS accommodations they would like to apply to each course, and you will receive a faculty notification letter/email that identifies these accommodations. You will also be able to view the faculty notification letter in the SAS Faculty Portal.

Please note: Disclosure of a disability is entirely at the discretion of the student. SAS supports students in facilitating communication with instructors when needed.

Common accommodations may include:

• Extended time on tests and exams
• Notetaking assistance
• Alternative formats for course materials (e.g., large print, accessible PDFs)
• Use of assistive technologies

This is determined on an individual basis based on the unique disability-related functional limitations of the student.

You can ensure accessibility by:

• Using clear and concise language.
• Providing alternative text for images and multimedia.
• Using accessible document formats (e.g., properly formatted Word documents, accessible PDFs).
• Captioning videos.
• Following WCAG guidelines.

View resources on creating accessible course content.

Exam accommodations may involve providing extended time, a quiet testing environment, or the use of assistive technology.

The SAS Exam Centre helps to administer exam accommodations for SAS students. Instructors are required to complete an Alternative Testing Agreement in the SAS Faculty Portal to ensure the Exam Centre is aware of the exam parameters and has a copy of the exam.

Work with the SAS Exam Centre to coordinate exam accommodations by contacting them at sas.exams@uoguelph.ca.

Contact SAS to discuss your concerns. SAS Advisors can provide guidance and clarification on accommodation requirements for specific students. Their contact information can be found in the SAS Faculty Portal where you view a student’s eligible accommodations.

Phone: 519-824-4120 ext. 56208
Fax: 519-824-9689
Email: sas@uoguelph.ca
In-person: Vaccarino Centre for Student Wellness in the John T. Powell Building (JTP) (beside the Athletics Centre), Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Accommodation: A change in how a student accesses or demonstrates learning (e.g., extended time on tests, use of assistive technology). Accommodations do not change the essential requirements of the course or program.

Modification: A change in the essential requirements of a course or program. Modifications are not put into place at the university level.

It is essential to maintain the confidentiality of students' disability-related information. Discuss accommodations with students in a private setting, sharing information on a need-to-know basis only.

Privacy of student information: How to avoid potential privacy concerns

You can create an inclusive environment by:

• Using inclusive language.
• Providing diverse examples and perspectives.
• Offering multiple ways for students to engage with the course material.
• Being open to feedback and suggestions.

Yes, SAS offers workshops, training sessions, and online resources for faculty.

Visit our Faculty Resources page.

Implement the accommodations as soon as possible. Contact SAS if you have any questions or concerns.

Contact:
Phone: 519-824-4120 ext. 56208
Email: sas@uoguelph.ca