Sign-up at least 14 days before your exam (applies to all timed assessments)
On This Page: Eligibility | How To Register | Confidentiality | Funding
Student Accessibility and Achievement helps students overcome academic barriers, providing learner support for students of all backgrounds, as well as accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Eligibility
Students who are experiencing academic or physical barriers and have a documented disability, mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other impairment. These may be temporary, permanent, or episodic.
Students with documented disabilities can register at any point in the year, but we recommend registering as early as possible. We encourage students new to McGill to make an appointment before their semester begins.
How To Register
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Book an appointment with one of our advisors.
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Upload your medical documentation at least 2 business days before your appointment, using the Upload and View My Documents module.
During your appointment you’ll be able to discuss your barriers and determine what resources or accommodations will help make your time at McGill a success.
Medical documentation must:
- Be on official letterhead of the licensed medical professional or clinic
- Contain a diagnosis
- Explain how your diagnosis currently impacts your academic experience
- Contain the signature and license number of the medical professional recognized by the PL-21
- If in a language other than English or French, please provide both the original and a translated copy (by a certified translator).
Confidentiality
Students’ documents, personal information, and registration with Student Accessibility and Achievement is confidential and does not appear on your transcript. This information can only be released to third parties with your written permission, via our Release of Student Record Form. Once you leave McGill, we will keep your file for 2 years, after which it will be destroyed as per university record and retention policy.
If you wish to disclose your registration with us to your instructors, faculty, or other administrative offices on campus, it is entirely your decision.
Student Funding
Students can apply for McGill scholarships and student aid, government aid, or external funding opportunities. You can also check out scholarship databases such as DisabilityAwards.ca, Scholarships Canada, Universities Canada Scholarships, and StudentAwards.
Funding Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
McGill Funding
- Meribah Aikens Bursary
- Martha Jane Poulson Memorial Scholarship
- G. Allen Ross Bursary
- Cohen and Manton Bursary
For specific information regarding these awards, please consult the Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards calendar and search the specific name of the award as written above. You can also reach out to McGill's Scholarships and Student Aid Office for more information.
Federal Funding
- Disability Tax Credit (DTC): a non-refundable tax credit available for persons with disabilities, their supporting family members, and their care givers.
- Severe Permanent Disability Benefit (SPDB) : a benefit that may allow you to cancel your student loans if your disability prevents you from participating in post-secondary studies and the labour force for the rest of your life.
External Funding
|
Scholarship |
Award Amount |
Eligibility |
Deadline |
|
Variable number of awards for $7000 |
Open eligibility (not disability specific) |
Annual - February deadline |
|
|
Variable number for up to $5000, two awards for $10000 |
Students with epilepsy; family and caregivers |
Annual - March deadline |
|
|
Three awards for $1000 |
Students who are hard of hearing, deafened, or oral deaf |
Annual – April deadline |
|
|
Variable number of awards for $1000 |
Students with mental health conditions |
Annual – April deadline |
|
|
Canadian Hemophilia Society (CHS) James Kreppner Memorial Scholarship and Bursary |
Variable number of awards for $5000 |
Students with hemophilia (factor VIII or IX) or another inherited bleeding disorder; carriers and those who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion |
Annual – April deadline |
|
Variable number of awards for variable amounts |
Open to all disability categories |
Annual – May deadline |
|
|
Variable number of awards for up to $1000 |
Students with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus (must be a member of SBHAC) |
Annual – May deadline |
|
|
Variable number of awards for variable amounts |
Students who are blind or partially sighted (undergraduate and graduate studies) |
Annual – spring deadline |
|
|
Variable number of awards for variable amounts |
Students who are blind or partially sighted(Master’s programs) |
Annual – spring deadline |
|
|
Variable number of awards for $4000 |
Open to all disability categories |
Annual – August deadline |
|
|
Variable number of awards for $5000 |
Open to all disability categories |
Variable deadlines |
|
|
Variable number of awards for variable amounts |
Students with spinal cord injuries |
Annual – October deadline |
|
|
Two awards for $1000 |
Students who are legally blind. |
Awarded every other year (even years) |
|
|
Ten awards for $5000 |
Students with Crohn's disease and/or ulcerative colitis |
Annual – June deadline |
|
|
Two awards for $5000 |
Open elegibility (not disability specific) |
Annual – April deadline |
|
|
Four awards for $2000 |
Open to all disability categories |
Annual – June deadline |
|
|
Variable number of awards for up to $5000 |
Students with inflammatory arthritis |
Annual – May deadline |
|
|
One award for $5000, one award for $1500 |
Students who are survivors of childhood cancer |
Annual – April deadline |