Graduate Students

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Accessibility Support for Graduate Students

At the University of Guelph, Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is committed to ensuring that graduate students with disabilities have equal access to their academic and research experiences. Whether you need accommodations for coursework, research responsibilities, qualifying exams or thesis defences, SAS can provide individualized support to help you succeed.

Our services include academic accommodations, assistive technology, and support for navigating accessibility in research roles. If you are a new or returning graduate student with a disability—whether permanent or temporary—our team can help you explore available resources and develop a personalized accommodation plan.

To get started, learn more about the registration process, available supports, and how we can assist you in achieving your academic and professional goals.

Eligibility & Registration

Graduate students with disabilities—permanent, temporary, or episodic—may be eligible for academic accommodations [2] and support through Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Accommodations are designed to remove barriers while maintaining the academic integrity of your program.

Who is Eligible?

You may qualify for accommodations if you have:

A documented disability (physical, sensory, mental health, learning, or chronic health condition).
A temporary disability (e.g., concussion, injury, short-term medical condition).
A suspected but not yet diagnosed disability—support may still be available while you seek assessment.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, we encourage you to connect with SAS for guidance.

Steps to Register with SAS [1]

Already Registered and Looking to Update Accommodations:

If your needs change, or if you require adjustments to existing accommodations, schedule a follow-up appointment with your SAS Advisor anytime.

Need Help? Contact SAS at sas.intake@uoguelph.ca

Grad Student FAQs:

Support for Reduced Courseload/Workload:

Students registered with SAS may require a reduced courseload or reduced workload for non-course related academic requirements such as thesis or research work due to the impact of their disabilities. We can provide a recommendation to the program on behalf of the student and work with them to negotiate the implementation of this accommodation. We may also work with the student on strategies to manage demands related to courseload/workload.

Confidentiality:

The information you share with Student Accessibility Services about the nature of your disability is confidential. If we need to involve faculty in the accommodation process, we only do this with your consent. Read more on our privacy and confidentiality [3] page.

Previous Admissions:

If you experienced a disability during your previous degree(s) that was not accommodated and negatively affected your academic standing for admission purposes, please contact us at sas@uoguelph.ca. You will be connected with a member of our team who can discuss how we can support you in the admission process.

Current U of G Students:

To register for services and accommodations with Student Accessibility Services, please fill out a SAS Application Form [1]. You will also be asked to provide supporting documentation [4].