What We Do

The Atlantic Centre establishes individualized support service programs to facilitate the participation of students with disabilities. Our services provide assistance to students to address the effects of disabilities on academic performance and provide students with disability accommodation services and supports.

Students who have been diagnosed with a learning disability, mobility impairment, vision impairment, hearing impairment, medical condition or mental health condition, can meet with our staff for information on what services and resources are available for them.

How Do I Receive Services?

You are encouraged to begin the application process when you have accepted an offer of admission from Saint Mary's University. You can also apply for services with the Atlantic Centre at any time during your studies at Saint Mary's. However, it is to your benefit to have as much time as possible to start planning for your disability needs. This is especially important for students entering Saint Mary's University for the first time in the fall semester.

Please be aware that in order to receive services from The Atlantic Centre, students must:

1. register and,

2. provide documentation that verifies the disability. This can include a detailed letter from a doctor, a registered health professional or a psychoeducational report. The documentation must be not older than five years prior to the date of the application for services through the Atlantic Centre.

• An Atlantic Centre counsellor will review your application and documentation and contact you to schedule a meeting.

• In that first meeting students will be asked how they were accommodated in the past, for example, while in high school, and what they feel their supports should be and the reasons why.

• The accommodations and services available to students with disabilities are determined on an individual basis. Meeting with a counsellor at The Atlantic Centre will assist students in developing an accommodation support plan for their academic success. Counsellors will make referrals to the various services offered at SMU and in the community when appropriate and will be available to meet with students regularly to monitor the effectiveness of these services.

• All information concerning a student’s disability and involvement with the The Atlantic Centre is strictly confidential. Information will only be released with written consent by the student to any sources outside of our office.

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Information on Preparing for University

Commonly Asked Questions

Guide for Prospective Students

• Download as PDF
• Download as Text File

When Can I Visit?

Students with disabilities should contact the Atlantic Centre upon admittance to Saint Marys University. Early self-identification will help us to provide you with the best possible service. Transition planning is a key to success, so please contact us for a visit while you are in High School.

We encourage students to get in touch with the Atlantic Centre (AC) early during the application and admission process. Visiting the AC and the wider university community early in the decision making process will make for a more successful transition to university life and study.

Staff from the AC are available at Saint Mary's University Open Houses.

You can make an appointment to speak with a Counsellor from the AC when you visit Saint Mary's University. Please call 902.420-5452 or email us at atlantic.centre@smu.ca

Personalized campus tours can easily be arranged.

Tour Hours

follow this link for more information on arranging tours

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This page last modified Tuesday, 04-Oct-2011 16:18:48 ADT