Accommodations

 

Accommodations

Students learn in different ways, and schools work to support access to learning for all students. In Ontario, students do not need an Individual Education Plan (IEP) to receive accommodations. Schools may provide accommodations when they help remove barriers and support access to learning.

elementary students studying science classroom

Accommodations are changes to how learning happens. They do not change what students learn. Instead, accommodations support how students access instruction, participate in classroom activities, and show what they have learned.

 

Talking about Accommodations 


Families and students can share information with school staff about how they learn best. This is often called advocacy.

Advocacy may look like:

  • a student sharing what helps them focus or understand learning
  • a family sharing observations or strategies that work well
  • a conversation with the classroom teacher or school principal

Students may advocate for themselves, or families may advocate alongside them.

Schools partner with students and families to explore what supports may be helpful and how they can be put in place in the classroom.

CategoryPrompts
My Learning
  • I learn best with clear steps.
  • I like seeing pictures or visuals.
  • I understand better when ideas are in order.
  • I like steps shown one at a time.
  • I learn well when big tasks are broken down.
  • I like examples I can look at.
  • I learn by doing hands-on work.
  • I understand better when I can draw.
  • I understand better when I have time to think.
  • I learn best in a calm, quiet spot.
  • I like working with a friend first.
  • Something else I want to add: 
My Focus
  • I focus well in calm spaces.
  • I get distracted when it’s noisy.
  • I focus better when I know the plan.
  • I think better when I can take short breaks.
  • I focus better when things do not feel rushed.
  • I need reminders for steps.
  • I notice lots of details.
  • I like having movement breaks.
  • I need extra time before I answer.
  • Something else I want to add:
My Communication
  • I share ideas when I have time to plan.
  • I like writing first before talking.
  • I like using sentence starters.
  • It helps when I have time to find my words.
  • I like when things are explained in different ways.
  • I understand better with a few steps at a time.
  • I like it when someone checks in with me.
  • I understand best when people speak clearly.
  • Something else I want to add:
My Comfort
  • I do well when I feel calm.
  • I feel better when I can take a short break.
  • I like knowing about changes ahead of time.
  • I like working with a partner.
  • I feel settled when someone explains the plan.
  • I notice body clues (tight chest, jumpy body).
  • I feel comfortable in quieter spaces.
  • I feel better when I can move my body.
  • Something else I want to add: 
My Organization
  • I like when tasks are written down.
  • I like using colours or pictures to help me.
  • I learn best when given one step at a time.
  • I like when instructions are repeated.
  • I keep track of tasks with a checklist.
  • I like when tasks are broken into smaller parts.
  • I like when a teacher checks in with me.
  • I like it when someone shows me an example.
  • I understand best when key ideas are reviewed.
  • Something else I want to add:
My Social Learning
  • I like working with a partner.
  • I like small groups.
  • I need time to think before group work.
  • I learn well in small, calm group spaces.
  • I like sentence starters when working with others.
  • I like when the group rules are clear.
  • I like when people take turns.
  • During group work, I like when a teacher checks in.
  • Something else I want to add:

This resource brings together your child’s voice and your insights from home to support learning and participation at school. It can be used as a starting point for conversations between families, students, and school staff about what might support access to learning. The ideas shared here are
conversation prompts, not a checklist, and can be revisited over time as students grow and learning needs shift. It may also help guide discussion during school meetings, IEP planning, or as students build self-advocacy skills.

CategoryPrompts
Instruction
  • clear, simple steps
  • step-by-step visuals
  • steps given one at a time
  • hearing the instructions again
  • examples to look at
  • time to think before answering
  • tasks in small parts
  • working with a partner
  • hands-on tools
  • drawing or sketching ideas
  • graphic organizer
  • fewer instructions at once
  • talking through ideas
  • gentle reminders or check-ins
  • chance to ask questions privately
  • something else I want to add:
Environment
  • a quiet spot when I need it
  • different seating choices
  • headphones to reduce noise
  • calming tools I can use
  • more space around my desk
  • a visual schedule I can see
  • soft, steady lighting
  • a predictable routine
  • a warning before changes
  • calm colours in the room
  • a seat closer to the board
  • tools to help me follow along
  • a short break spot nearby
  • clear labels for materials
  • an organized spot for my things
  • something else I want to add:
Assessment
  • knowing what good work looks like
  • step-by-step visuals
  • one step at a time
  • hearing the instructions again
  • an example to look at
  • extra time to think
  • a task in small parts
  • working with a partner
  • hands-on tools to use
  • drawing or sketching ideas
  • a graphic organizer
  • fewer directions at once
  • talking through my ideas
  • gentle reminders or check-ins
  • a quiet moment to ask questions
  • something else I want to add: