Accommodation vs. Consideration
Understanding AAS and ACR
When circumstances are affecting your studies, it may not always be clear where to go for support or which university process applies to your situation. This resource can help you understand the different pathways available, how they relate to your circumstances, and where to start.
Depending on your situation, you may need Academic Accommodation Support (AAS), an Academic Consideration Request (ACR), both, or another form of academic support or planning.
Academic Accommodation Support (AAS)
Supports students experiencing disability-related barriers through planned accommodations that support access to and participation in their studies.
Academic Consideration Requests (ACR)
Instructor-approved alternate arrangements for students experiencing extenuating circumstances that prevent them from completing an academic requirement.
Some circumstances may involve AAS, ACR, or both, depending on their nature, academic impact and duration. Others may require a different university process or academic planning.
Find the right support
The flowchart below can help you identify which process may apply based on the nature, academic impact and duration of your circumstances.
Academic Accommodation Support
You may need AAS if disability-related barriers are affecting how you access, participate in or demonstrate learning and you require planned accommodations.
This may include:
- ongoing, recurring or episodic disability-related impacts
- difficulty with stamina, focus, mobility or accessing course content
- needing adjustments to how you access or demonstrate learning
- disability-related barriers affecting tests, assignments or participation
AAS can support permanent, ongoing, temporary, episodic or recurring disability-related needs.
Academic
Consideration
Requests
You may need an ACR if a sudden or short-term extenuating circumstance is preventing you from completing an academic requirement.
This may include:
- an unexpected illness, injury or acute health issue
- bereavement, a traumatic event or unexpected personal circumstances
- being unable to write a test or complete an assignment
- needing an alternate arrangement, such as a make-up assessment or extended deadline
ACRs are generally intended for short-term circumstances, normally no more than three days.
Other academic
support or
planning
You may need other academic support or planning if your circumstances cannot be appropriately addressed through AAS or an ACR.
This may include:
- circumstances lasting longer than three days or with an uncertain end date
- being unable to attend or participate in your studies for an extended period
- needing time away from your studies
- circumstances affecting your ability to continue in one or more courses
These situations may require longer-term academic planning or another university process.