School of Continuing Studies (SCS)
SCS is committed to providing quality courses and programs to fulfil learners’ personal and professional learning goals. As an educational institution, we must maintain the academic standards of the University of Toronto while honouring the University’s commitment to offer equal access to educational opportunities.
SCS works closely with individuals to provide reasonable accommodations or supports to uphold the promise of equal access to our programs.
SCS Accessibility Team
The role of our Accessibility Team is to provide and coordinate academic supports for learners with disabilities. We work directly with learners and instructors to support both parties throughout the duration of a course.
Our Accessibility Team plays an educational supportive role only. Our Team cannot provide personal academic or career guidance counselling nor can our Team approve extensions or alternative test dates. Any academic questions or concerns should be directed towards the Instructor or the SCS academic program staff.
The Accessibility Team is happy to advocate on behalf of learners, however, we encourage learners to speak with their Instructor directly regarding their needs.
The School of Continuing Studies abides by the terms of FIPPA, AODA, and a wide range of University of Toronto policies, including the UT Code of Academic Behaviour and UT Code of Student Conduct.
Learners’ Role
Your role of a learner is vital to the success of your studies. You have a number of responsibilities that will help to enhance your overall learning experience. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Checking emails for updates and important information
- Reviewing important deadlines
- Communicating with the Accessibility Team regarding new courses, testing needs as part of the accommodation plan, and any course related concerns
It is your responsibility to inform SCS if any academic supports are needed, and to provide the documentation required to implement these supports. We encourage you to inform us before the course start date, or even prior to registration to confirm the supports needed throughout your learning pathway.
The level to which you disclose your accommodation needs to your instructor is up to you. That said, we do encourage you to do so as part of the practice of self-advocacy.
Once an accommodation plan is established, we will inform each instructor that a learner (your name will be withheld unless we have your permission to disclose it) has registered into their class with the identified supports that will be used throughout the duration of the course. Please be aware that the instructor will eventually learn your name if alternate testing arrangements are required; this is unavoidable.
The instructor plays an important role in supporting learners with disabilities. They will be responsible for making any academic decisions throughout the duration of the course, and this includes, but is not limited to, assignment extensions, alternate test dates, and course evaluation. Instructors work closely with our Accessibility Team to ensure that we are providing the best support throughout the duration of the course.