Assessment accommodation for candidates

The CRA is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace for employees. This includes providing accommodation that will allow candidates with limitations to fully demonstrate their abilities during an assessment by reducing or eliminating barriers without altering the purpose or validity of the assessment.

Assessment accommodation for Second Language Evaluations are handled by the Public Service Commission (PSC). Visit Second language evaluation (SLE) accommodation on the PSC website for more information.

You may also request accommodation for any reason related to one of the prohibited grounds for discrimination stated in the Canadian Human Rights Act. To make a request, send an email to the staffing contact listed in the notice of job opportunity.

Limitations are restrictions that hinder your ability to carry out tasks or activities, and may include:

An assessment accommodation is a change made to the procedure, process, format, or content of a candidate’s assessment. The CRA may provide the following types of accommodation:

Therefore, when you are invited to participate in an assessment, your test invitation will tell you which assessment you will be taking. Visit the CRA’s list of assessments to find out more about each assessment and determine whether you may need accommodation. 

Although it is your responsibility to tell us if you need accommodation, the CRA supports the principles of assessment accommodation by:

• Ensuring you are treated in an inclusive and respectful way
• Offering a non-judgmental environment in which to request assessment accommodation. You will be treated fairly and given an equal opportunity to fully demonstrate your qualifications
• Considering your needs on a case-by-case basis

Your limitations and the assessment requirements can change over time. You must submit an accommodation request each time you need it and for each assessment tool used in the staffing process. 

All requests for accommodation are protected under the Access to Information and Privacy Acts. The information you provide is confidential and will only be used to recommend appropriate accommodation measures. Personal information will not be disclosed without your consent.

You are responsible for informing us that you need accommodation. To do so, please select the link provided in your assessment invitation and complete the request as soon as possible.

• Attach any supporting medical documentation (for example: medical note, psychologist’s report). Note that you may black out any personal information.
• Ensure you submit your request before the assessment.

If you are scheduled for an assessment before appropriate accommodation has been arranged, do not attend the assessment. Immediately inform the responsible staffing contact that you require or are waiting for assessment accommodation. A new session will be scheduled once you sign and submit your assessment accommodation letter (see Step 4 below). 

If you are unsure whether to attend the scheduled session, reach out to the contact name included in the notice of job opportunity and/or your test invitation.

Once you have submitted your accommodation form, the assessment accommodation contact will reach out if they need more information.

If they ask for additional documentation from a medical doctor or another qualified professional, the CRA will reimburse the cost of this documentation. This documentation should only be submitted to the assessment accommodation contact, and not shared with the staffing contact.

To prevent delays, it is your responsibility to obtain and provide this information as quickly as possible.

Once the assessment accommodation contact receives all information and documentation, they will work with you to determine reasonable assessment accommodation. 

• You are expected to collaborate in good faith throughout the process while participating in discussions exploring possible assessment accommodation.
• The assessment accommodation contact will carefully review all the information and recommend the most suitable, effective and practical assessment accommodation. The accommodation may not reflect your personal preference, but it will be reasonable, supportive and fair.

The accommodation letter is typically completed within 10 business days after all required information has been provided. However, processing times may be longer during periods of high requests.

The assessment accommodation letter will be sent to you by the staffing contact.

• After reviewing your letter, you may sign it and return it by email to the staffing contact.
• If you need to discuss the recommended accommodation measures before you sign, reach out to the assessment accommodation contact.

If you have questions about requesting assessment accommodation or about the staffing process, send an email to the staffing contact listed in the notice of job opportunity and/or test invitation.