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Support for students with disabilities or diagnosed limitations

This service is for INRS students who encounter obstacles that significantly hinder their academic success or the realization of their full potential, due to a disability or limitation diagnosed by a health and social services professional subject to the Professional Code. Are you unsure about declaring your disability or limitation? Rest assured that your information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

Examples of diagnosed limitations

Sensory impairments: visual impairment, hearing impairment

Organic impairments: diabetes, cancer, fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, Crohn’s disease

Physical or motor impairments: cerebral palsy, rheumatoid arthritis, neuromuscular diseases (spinal muscular atrophy, myopathies, myasthenia gravis), etc.

Learning disabilitiesLearning disabilities: dyslexia, dysorthographia, dyscalculia, etc.

Speech and language disorders: dysphasia, aphasia, etc.

Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADD ou ADHD) 

Autism spectrum disorder 

Neurological disorders:  epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, etc. 

Mental health disorders: anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, mood disorder, eating disorder, etc. 

Temporary limitations: Concussion, fracture, adjustment disorder, injury, medical treatment, etc. 

Accommodation measures   

Support aims to create an equitable academic environment and will depend on the type of challenges you are facing. There are different accommodations available to help you continue your studies without discrimination or privilege. These accommodations are meant to address obstacles directly related to your limitation or disability, without fundamentally altering the nature of your program of study.   

Required documents   

When you make an appointment for an initial meeting with our resource specialist, you will need to provide an assessment report or medical certificate confirming your disability or limitation.  

The report must describe how your disability or limitation is currently affecting your studies. If applicable, the report should include information on the medications you are taking and any side effects that may affect your academic performance.  

If you need to see a professional such as a neuropsychologist or speech therapist to confirm your diagnosed limitation, please note that assessments are typically done in a private clinic and may therefore be costly. We recommend that you check with your insurer to see if the services you require are covered. 

How do I request support?   

Please fill out the consent and consultation form (in French only) so that we can assess your needs and the requirements of your program. 

Follow-up         

Our resource specialist will contact you. Together, you will set up a meeting to discuss the guidance and support measures most likely to help you succeed. From there, an intervention plan with reasonable accommodations can be prepared if necessary.

Available support and accompaniment measures   

  • Assessment of the disability’s impact on academic career  
  • Development of a personalized intervention plan and accommodation measures  
  • Implementation of adapted learning strategies  
  • Implementation of compensatory tools and techniques  
  • Regular monitoring and adjustment of interventions  
  • Communication and collaboration with the relevant supervisors and faculty members for the implementation of teaching accommodations  

Services for faculty   

  • Support in setting up academic accommodations for students   
  • Support in the search for alternative solutions to accommodation, using inclusive teaching methods   
  • Support in resolving issues related to students with disabilities 

Tools and references

More information 

If you have any questions, please email intervention.sesre@inrs.ca.