Access Centre Mandate
Our mandate is to collaborate with teachers, staff, and outside agencies in order to offer accommodations to students who have limitations and/or incapacities resulting from a specific diagnosis and/or medical condition.
Our goal is to empower students who require accommodations to become autonomous and self-regulated learners for their future endeavors by striving to give them an equal opportunity to learn and succeed.
Who We Support
Students who present appropriate documentation* addressing disabilities such as:
- Mental Health Disorders
- Hearing and Visual Impairments
- Physical Disabilities
- Specific Learning Disabilities
- Neurological Disorders
- Any other medical conditions resulting in limitations and/or incapacities, including temporary conditions such as concussions.
* Type of appropriate documentation includes: full medical, psychiatric, and or psycho-educational assessment.
Intake Process
John Abbott College is committed to ensuring that all students have equal access to its programs and services. If you are requesting accommodations, you can print this form Student Accommodation Request Form, complete it and return it along with supporting documentation:
By mail: Access Centre, John Abbott College, 21 275 lakeshore, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (Quebec) H9X 3L9
By Email: access.centre@johnabbott.qc.ca
Or you can fill and submit the online form below.
*The form does not work with the browser Internet Explorer
The documentation provided by the student will be analyzed so as to determine the appropriate accommodations.
Deadline to request accommodations for new students admitted to John Abbott College:
- Students admitted for August (Fall entry) – due June 1.
- Students admitted for January (Winter entry) – due January 1.
Deadline to request accommodations for current John Abbott College students:
- Intake appointments are only offered up until and including the last day of classes as per the Academic Calendar.
Please note that no Intake appointments will be offered during our final exam period.
Student Accommodation Request Form
Student Accommodation Request Form
Student Information
Services Provided
- Individualized assessment of academic needs
- Emergency evacuation protocol
- Priority registration
- Study skills strategies
- Exam Invigilation
- Extra time for tests, quizzes, and exams
- Note taking services
- Time management strategies
- Specialized software (WordQ and Antidote)
- Computer for tests, quizzes, and exams
- Regular check-ins with contact person
- Transition Support Program for Autistic Students (for in-coming High School graduates)
* Please see FAQ for more information
Contact
Please feel free to contact us:
access.centre@johnabbott.qc.ca
514-457-6610 x5398
Herzberg H-129, by the Library entrance
FAQ
What type of supporting documentation do students requesting accommodations need to provide in order to register with the Access Centre?
Students requesting accommodations need to provide supporting documentation detailing their specific diagnosis and/or medical condition from a qualified professional in Quebec, including:
- Doctor
- Psychologist
- Speech & Language Pathologist
- Audiologist
- Optometrist
- Guidance Counsellor with accreditation from their Professional Order
- Nurse with accreditation from their Professional Order
What does the supporting documentation need to outline?
Supporting documentation needs to outline the following:
- Specific diagnosis and/or medical condition
- Limitations and/or incapacities resulting from the specific diagnosis and/or medical condition
- Whether the specific diagnosis and/or medical condition is temporary or permanent
How recent must supporting documentation be in order for a student to receive necessary and appropriate accommodations at John Abbott College?
Supporting documentation outlining permanent specific diagnoses and the resulting limitations by a qualified professional in Quebec does not need to be recent.
Supporting documentation outlining temporary specific diagnoses or any specific diagnoses related to mental health by a qualified professional in Quebec needs to be recent enough to outline the current needs of the student in post-secondary education, their resulting limitations specific to academia and the approximate duration of the temporary condition.
When should students requesting accommodations begin the process?
Students requesting accommodations should submit the required documentation as soon as they are notified of their acceptance to John Abbott.
- Students accepted for the Fall semester will be offered an appointment as of June 1
- Students accepted for the Winter semester will be offered an appointment as of December 1
Is an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) from High School sufficient to request accommodations?
Although an IEP is helpful in evaluating appropriate and necessary accommodations, it is not sufficient to request accommodations as it does not outline the required information.
What is the Intake Process of the Access Centre?
Regardless of the student’s situation prior to coming to John Abbott, the Intake Process is the same for all students. This includes the mandatory phone, virtual or in person discussion with the student.
During the meeting, the student’s individualized needs will be assessed and appropriate and necessary accommodations will be evaluated and granted.
Please note that accommodations at the post-secondary level may differ from the accommodations granted in High School.
What type of services does the Access Centre provide for Autistic students transitioning from high school to Cegep?
The Transition Support Program for Autistic Students assists new students as they transition to post-secondary education. This includes a Transition Support Day held before the start of the semester as well as one-on-one meetings with an Access Centre staff member at various times throughout the semester. Presentations on various topics as well as learning about the main differences between High School and College will be included. For more information, please contact us directly at access.centre@johnabbott.qc.ca
