Registering with the FSC

Students who wish to register for services with The Fred Smithers Centre are required to submit an application which includes uploading supporting medical documentation. 

 The following list provides examples of accepted documentation specialist sources based on disability: 

• Mental Illness: Psychologist; Physician; Psychiatrist  

• Learning Disability: Psycho-Educational Assessment; Neuropsychological Assessment; School Psychologist  

• ADD/ADHD: Psychologist; Psychiatrist; Physician 

• Hearing Impairment: Audiologist Assessment  

• Visual Impairment: Ophthalmologist 

• Mobility Impairment: Physician; Specialist  

• Medical Condition: Physician  

• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Psychologist; Psychiatrist; Neurologist  

If you have questions about your own documentation or the documentation required to register, please reach out to fredsmithers.centre@smu.ca.  
 
Please note: all documentation received by the Fred Smithers Centre will be stored securely for a period of 5 years after which it will be securely destroyed. 

Please follow the below steps to being your process in registering with the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility.
 

Step 1: Determine if registering with the FSC is right for you

In order to register with the Fred Smithers Centre, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Be enrolled in part-time or full-time undergraduate or graduate courses at SMU at the time of application, and  
2. Must have a declared or temporary disability with supporting documentation. 

If you are unsure whether you meet the criteria, please review the information found in the clickable drop-down text sections below which provide overviews of various disability circumstances.
 

Step 2: Understand your rights, options and responsibilities

Students seeking disability accommodations have the right to equal access to education, support and accommodation options, while also having the responsibility to provide accurate, up-to-date information pertaining to their disabilities and needs. 

• Students’ rights may include but are not limited to reasonable accommodations without undue hardship, confidentiality, due process, individualized approach, and access to support services. 

• Students’ options may include but are not limited to support, guidance and advocacy, as well as academic accommodations related to learning in the classroom and online and testing and exams. 

• Students’ responsibilities may include but are not limited to self-identification, documentation, reviews and updates in the event of changing circumstances or needs, timely requests, communication with FSC and faculty, and academic responsibility.
   

Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form

If you meet the above criteria and would like to become a client of the FSC, complete the Online Application Form.

For this application, you will need the following information:

• Your supporting documentation (you will be asked to upload the document into the form).
• Your SMU student A number and SMU email.
   

Step 4: Upload supporting medical documentation with application

In the final section of the Online Application Form there will be a clickable text box “Add Item”. This is where you will upload your supporting documentation. 

If you do not have current or detailed documentation as listed in the Registering with the "Fred Smithers Centre" section, please have your medical professional complete the online Disability Verification Form. If you are experiencing a temporary disability, please reach out to FredSmithers.Centre@smu.ca.
  

Step 5: Confirmation email from the FSC

A member of the FSC staff will be in touch via email to confirm receipt of your application and provide you with a booking link to book your Intake Meeting with one of the Accessibility Advisors.
 

Step 6: Accessibility Advisor for an Intake Meeting

When you receive your email from the FSC you will be invited to schedule an Intake Meeting to meet with the Accessibility Advisor assigned to you. This meeting must be completed in order to establish any academic accommodation provisions. 

For more information on meeting with your Academic Advisor, please visit the FSC Services page. 

Students with a diagnosed disability are encouraged to register with the Fred Smithers Centre at any point during their academic journey at Saint Mary's University. Disabilities may fall into various categories, and each may require different types of documentation for registration and support services. Please review the information above to learn more about the step-by-step process for registering with the Fred Smithers Centre and arranging the accommodations you require.

If you are unsure whether you have a disability or have an undeclared disability, the Fred Smithers Centre is here to help. We encourage you to read through the information below to read more about examples of disability, and the support and assessments available. You are also welcome to contact the Fred Smithers Centre to discuss your experiences and explore the options that may be right for you. 

Sometimes students experience temporary disabilities that may impact their ability to fully participate in their academic work or campus life. Whether due to an injury, surgery, short-term illness, or other, the FSC is here to help students navigate these challenges and ensure they have the support they need. Visit the Temporary Accommodations section of the FSC Services page.

A disability is generally defined as a condition or impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. In the context of a university, this could include physical, mental, or sensory impairments that impact a student’s ability to learn, participate in activities, or access educational resources. Disabilities can be temporary or permanent, visible or invisible, and can affect students in various ways. 

Attention/Neurodiversity 

• Examples include, but are not limited to, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Tourette Syndrome, etc.  

Hearing/Vision 

• Examples include, but are not limited to, hearing loss, Deaf, hard of hearing, macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, blindness, etc.  

Learning Disability 

• Examples include, but are not limited to, dyslexia, dysgraphia, auditory processing disorders, etc.  

Medical/Brain Injury 

• Examples include, but are not limited to, medical conditions such as diabetes, heart condition, cancer, chronic illnesses, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, concussion, acquired brain injury (ABI), etc.  

Mental Health 

• Examples include, but are not limited to, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, eating disorder, etc.  

Physical Disability  

• Examples include, but are not limited to, cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder, fibromyalgia, spinal cord injury, epilepsy, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, etc.  

Each disability is unique, and the impact it has on an individual’s academic experience can vary greatly. If you don’t see your experience listed above – that's okay! The Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility works with students to provide appropriate accommodations and support based on their specific needs. Please get in touch.

The Fred Smithers Centre currently does not provide diagnostic services. If you suspect that you have a condition and have not been previously diagnosed, please first consult a healthcare provider to discuss your concerns before registering with the FSC. 

The Fred Smithers Centre (FSC) does not provide diagnostic services. If you suspect you have a condition but have not been formally diagnosed, consult a healthcare provider for an initial assessment and referral to a specialist before registering with the FSC. 

Assessment at Saint Mary’s 

• Student Health Clinic: Can diagnose certain mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression) and may provide temporary accommodations (not exceeding one academic term) while a student seeks a formal assessment. They can also refer students for assessments of conditions like ADHD or learning disabilities at external clinics. 
• Counselling Centre & Sexual Violence Support Centre (SVSC): Offer support and referrals but do not conduct assessments. In rare cases, a referral from the Counselling Centre may be considered for temporary accommodations. 

Assessment in Nova Scotia 
Formal disability assessments are available through various local and virtual providers. Students should consult a doctor for a referral to a specialist. The FSC can also provide a list of local assessment locations in Halifax. 

Online Self-Assessment Tools 
While online self-assessments can help identify concerns and guide next steps, they are not accepted as verified medical documentation. 

The Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility acknowledges that caretakers and parents may wish to be involved in a student’s transition to university and their academic experience. The Centre welcomes the participation of parents and caretakers in Intake meetings and initial conversations to ensure a smooth and supportive transition if appropriate and at the wishes of the student.  

However, it is important to note that, in accordance with privacy regulations, once a student reaches the age of 18, their right to confidentiality is protected by law. As a result, the Centre can only share information with parents or caretakers if explicit consent has been granted by the student.  

The Centre remains committed to supporting both students and their families throughout this process while always respecting student autonomy and preferences.