Accessing Support
Choose Program
If you are a high school student, your first step is to discuss your career/program choice with your guidance counsellor.
It is important you are aware of the specific nature of the program you are interested in, how your disability might impact your success in the program and other options you may not have considered.
You can check out our listing of programs and courses.
If you are not currently in high school or if you would like to “try out” a program you can contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator or a College Counsellor at a campus closest to you to discuss options. Accessibility Services Coordinators or College Counsellors can arrange for you to be able to sit in on a program for a day in order to see first hand what the program entails.
It is important that you fully explore the admissions requirements for college programs as well as understand any regulatory requirements (or industry standards) that may impact employment in your chosen field.
Apply
- If you are an applicant who meets our entrance requirements and identifies a disability, your application is processed by the admissions office as per the admissions process for all students. Additionally, a copy of your application and transcript, as well as any documentation verifying your disability, is given to the Accessibility Services Coordinator who will contact you to discuss your accessibility-related accommodation needs.
- If you are an applicant who does not meet entrance requirements and identifies a disability, the admissions office will consult with the Accessibility Services Coordinator before processing your application. The coordinator will contact you to determine whether or not your disability is relevant to not meeting the entrance requirements. If it is, then you may still be able to access some of our programs through our special admissions process. If your disability is not relevant to not meeting entrance requirements, you may be able, for example, to meet entrance requirements by availing of our CAS-Transition program. The Accessibility Services Coordinator will discuss all available options with you.
- If you do not identify as having a disability, but your high school transcript denotes you have completed modified or alternate courses, your application and transcript will be copied to the coordinator of disability services who will follow up with you to determine eligibility. It may be determined that you do not meet entrance requirements if you have completed modified or alternate courses. If this is the case, you may be able to explore other options through our special admissions process.
- If you are an applicant with a disability, you choose whether or not to identify this on your application. If you meet entrance requirements, your application is processed as per the admissions policy for all applicants; identifying a disability does not interfere with this. The process of following up with the Accessibility Services Coordinator to discuss accessibility-related accommodations is separate. Early identification of a disability enables the college to respond to your accessibility-related needs in a timely manner and to inform you of any additional services or funding options which may be available to you as you pursue your college education.
Provide Documents
College of the North Atlantic is committed to offering students with disabilities a supportive and inclusive learning environment. As such, academic accommodations may be implemented to reduce or remove barriers faced by students with disabilities. It should be noted that what constitutes equal access will be different for each individual.
To receive accommodations and support, students with disabilities must provide documentation from an appropriate professional (e.g., medical doctor, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, registered psychologist, guidance counsellor, speech-language pathologist, etc.) that supports their accommodation request.
Supporting documentation should provide a clear understanding of your needs and allow your Accessibility Services Coordinator (ASC) to approve, and make appropriate recommendations for, accommodations/supports. As such, documentation should include a description of your current level of functioning, the potential impact of your disability/condition within a college setting, the potential impact of medications on your academic functioning, as well as explicit recommendations for accommodations, supports, or environmental adaptations that will assist you in your pursuit of post-secondary studies.
Supporting documentation will vary depending on disability or condition, so please consult the documentation guide below for specific requirements.
Please Note: Your ASC will work with you to determine the extent to which the recommended accommodations are appropriate and whether the submitted documentation is sufficient to support an accommodation request.
Documentation Guide
| Disability | Documentation |
| Acquired Brain Injury | A report, assessment, or CNA Verification of Eligibility Form completed by an appropriate healthcare provider. CNA will also accept a Student Aid Verification of Eligibility form. |
| Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) | A letter or CNA Verification of Eligibility Form completed by a physician, psychiatrist, or registered psychologist. CNA will also accept a Student Aid Verification of Eligibility form. |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | A letter or CNA Verification of Eligibility Form completed by a qualified physician, psychiatrist, neurologist, or registered psychologist. CNA will also accept a Student Aid Verification of Eligibility form. If available, a recent comprehensive assessment would also be an asset. |
| Blindness or Visual Impairment | A letter or CNA Verification of Eligibility Form completed by a qualified healthcare professional, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist. CNA will also accept a Student Aid Verification of Eligibility form. |
| Deaf or Hearing Impairment | A letter, audiology report/assessment, or CNA Verification of Eligibility Form completed by an audiologist or physician. CNA will also accept a Student Aid Verification of Eligibility form. |
| Intellectual Disability | A recent comprehensive assessment, recommended to have been completed within the last five (5) years by a registered psychologist or a guidance counsellor. |
| Medical | A letter, report, or CNA Verification of Eligibility Form completed by a physician. CNA will also accept a Student Aid Verification of Eligibility form. |
| Mental Illness/Health | A letter, assessment/report, or CNA Verification of Eligibility Form completed by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a physician, psychiatrist, or registered psychologist. CNA will also accept a Student Aid Verification of Eligibility form. |
| Physical/Mobility Disability | An assessment/report or CNA Verification of Eligibility Form completed by a qualified healthcare professional outlining the diagnosed condition and functional limitations. CNA will also accept a Student Aid Verification of Eligibility form. |
| Specific Learning Disorder/Learning Disability | A recent comprehensive assessment, recommended to have been completed within the last five (5) years by a registered psychologist or guidance counsellor. |
| Speech and/or Language Disorder | A speech language assessment completed by a speech language pathologist (SLP). If available, a comprehensive assessment would also be an asset. |
CNA also encourages students to submit a copy of their high school Transition Plan, including a Record of Accommodations (ROA) or Individual Education Plan (IEP), if available.
Please Note: If you do not have the specified documentation, we may accept alternate documentation to determine eligibility for academic accommodations on a case-by-case basis. However, it is important to understand there may be different requirements for outside agencies/certification boards.
Complete Pre-Entry Interview
Once the ASC has been copied on your application you will be contacted to meet for a pre-entry interview. At this time the ASC will review your documentation with you and discuss the disability related accommodations recommended as well as any funding options you may be able to explore.
Disclosure
During the pre-entry interview you will be asked to sign a consent form identifying with whom information about your program/accommodations can be shared/disclosed. Accessibility Services will disclose information only to the extent necessary to ensure the provision of services and supports.