How to register
If you’ve received a disability or chronic health diagnosis, the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) can offer you support and accommodations to help you succeed in your studies.
Note: diagnosis of a disability or chronic health condition does not guarantee academic accommodations.
Registration deadlines
Current term
- Fall term (September to December): October 31
- Spring term (January to April): February 28
If you submit after the deadline, we will process your application for the next academic term.
Future term
- Early registration period for Fall term: May 1 to July 1
What is required?
Before the term's registration deadline:
- submit the pre-intake form with medical documentation of your diagnosis
- attend an intake appointment with a CAL advisor
Registering with CAL
To register with CAL, you need to complete our confidential online pre-intake form and include medical documentation of your diagnosis.
- email the CAL Front Desk or call 250-472-4947 if you have questions or need more information.
- submit your pre-intake form if you're ready with medical documentation.
Your medical documentation needs to meet the following requirements:
Recognized professionals
The Ministry of Advanced Education and UVic recognize the ability of the following professionals to diagnose and document disabilities and chronic illnesses:
- physical or mobility: physician or nurse practitioner
- vision: ophthalmologist, optometrist or orthoptist
- D/deaf or hard of hearing: certified audiologist
- neurological: neurologist, neuropsychologist, psychiatrist or physician
- psychiatric or mental health condition: clinical psychologist, psychiatrist or physician with expertise in that area
- learning disability: registered clinical psychologist or certified school psychologist
Your diagnosis documentation must include:
- the professional's name, title, phone number and address, official stamp or letterhead and signature
- the assessment date
- a statement of the nature of the disability including the DSM or ICD code and any impacts of medication
- an explanation of the disability’s impact on your education
- recommendations for specific accommodations, if necessary
Learning disability assessment (LDA)
If you are registering with CAL due to a learning disability, you need to submit an LDA by a registered psychologist, registered psychological associate or a BC-certified school psychologist.
Assessment requirements:
- developmental, educational and family history (including medical history)
- a comprehensive assessment of intelligence or cognition (such as the WAIS-III or IV; WJ-III Cognitive; SB-IV)
- academic achievement measured by a comprehensive achievement test (such as the WIAT-II or the WJ-III- Test of Achievement)
- a formal statement of diagnosis
One of the following tests of cognitive functioning:
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale: 3rd or 4th edition
- Stanford Binet-5
- Woodcock-Johnson-III Tests of Cognitive Abilities
- Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test (KAIT)
- Differential Ability Scales: 2nd edition (DAS-II)
One of the following achievement measures to assess academic functioning:
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Test: 2nd Edition (WIAT-II)
- Woodcock-Johnson-III Tests of Achievement (standard battery and extended battery depending on clinical judgment)
- Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement: 2nd Edition (comprehensive form)
Your documentation should be no more than 3 years old. CAL cannot accept a Q designation from the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care.
Pre-intake form
Need help?
Email the CAL Front Desk or call 250-472-4947 if you have questions or need more information.