Accommodation and Accessibility Policy

The CPA provides reasonable accommodations to individuals with documented disabilities within the definition provided by the Human Rights Code and those with documented religious restrictions or requirements.

Overview

There are many different types of disabilities and many kind of accommodations. Most individuals with disabilities fall into one of the following categories:

Learning disabilities
Visual impairment
Mental illness or psychological disability
Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Brain or head injury
Medical conditions
Other disabilities

The accommodations are provided to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly on all evaluations.

Accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

Extended testing time
Additional rest breaks
Low noise testing environment
Enlarged font on the exam question and answer papers
Allowing a medical device in the examination room, such as inhaler or diabetic equipment

Accommodation requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure equal opportunity for individuals to fully demonstrate their qualifications without altering the nature of the level of qualification being assessed. We consider each case after carefully reviewing the submitted documentation; however, submitting a request does not guarantee receiving accommodation.

In order to request an accommodation, submit all of the requested documentation and information at least four weeks prior to the examination date.

Accommodation Application Submission Instructions

Fill out the “Accommodation Application”.
Submit the application via mail to the CPA National office or via email to certification@payroll.ca along with the supporting documentation (doctor’s note, etc.).
You will receive an e-mail confirming the receipt of your application within 48 hours.
Your application will be processed and you will be provided with a decision within seven business days.
You will be informed about the decision via an e-mail. If the course is taken through full-time/part-time classroom delivery, the test centre and the instructor/college coordinator will be copied on the e-mail.
If the exam is taken separate from your classroom (e.g. test centre), you must provide us with test centre information so we can provide instructions to the test centre/proctor.
If the course is taken through an online delivery, instructions will be provided to you to ask your proctor to contact the Certification team to request an additional time once you run out of time.
If the course is taken through full-time/part-time classroom delivery, your instructor has the ability to extend the exam time at the end of the exam.

Accommodation Appeals

Appeals are permitted if new information or evidence relevant to your case is provided. After receiving your initial decision, you have seven days to submit an appeal.

Confidentiality and Commitment

We understand that information about disabilities is personal and highly sensitive. Effective accommodation often involves the coordination of different organizations and individuals (test centres, etc.).

In matters relating to accommodations and requests for accommodations, the CPA will obtain explicit consent from the individual requesting accommodation to share any personal information with any external organization, agency, or individual and that only information necessary to provide effective accommodation will be shared. Access to requests for accommodation will be limited to those individuals in the CPA whose duties require them to have access to that information in order to fulfill them. There will be no indication in the record of examination results that accommodation was provided to the individual.

The information provided will be kept confidential. There will be no indication in the record of examination results that accommodation was provided to the individual assisting in the accommodation process.

The CPA is committed to providing accommodation free from barriers.