Test Accommodation

A test accommodation may be granted on an individual basis on the grounds of a disability, medical condition or religious reason.

Definition of Test Accommodations

The test accommodations policy is compliant with accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). A disability is defined in the AODA and the Human Rights Code as:

• Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;
• A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
• A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
• A mental disorder; or,
• An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

Applying for a Test Accommodation

In order for appropriate arrangements to be made, candidates requiring a test accommodation must identify their requirement for the test accommodation when completing the online application form. . Once the request for a test accommodation is indicated in the online application, the candidate will be sent the NDSE Test Accommodation Request Form and the completed form must be received by the College within 60 days of the examination for which the individual is seeking special accommodation.  Requests for test accommodations that are submitted less then 60 days from the examination may not be approved. Depending on the nature and extent of the request, supporting documentation may be submitted as a medical report, a detailed physician’s note or an official letter from the leader of a religious congregation that supports the candidate’s request. Supporting document must be dated no more than 12 months prior to the date of the examination.

Supporting documentation must be sent directly to the College from the office of the leader of the congregation or physician who issued the document.

Each request for a test accommodation will be reviewed, ensuring candidate confidentiality, with the Director of Examinations, the Associate Examiner-in-Chief, and NDSE Registrars when required.