Academic Adjustments

Accommodations are available only to students who have provided professional documentation to Disabilities Services. The most frequent accommodations utilized by students in the university setting are:

Alternative Testing

Students with learning, physical, and/or psychological disabilities may need to take their tests with access to accommodations such as extended time, use of ascribe, quiet environment, and adaptive equipment (e.g. print enlarger, word processor). In some cases the student will need to take the test in the Learning Center in order to access necessary accommodations. For more information about Learning Center test administration see Testing Guidelines.

Faculty should either arrange testing space, modifications and aids (word processors, readers,scribes, etc.) in a location that meets the student's needs, or use the Learning Center test administration service. For more information see Test Administration for Faculty.

Alternative Text Formats

Students with visual or learning disabilities that affect the reading of printed text may need books and other reading materials provided in alternative formats. Formats include books on tape, Brailed text, e-books, and enlarged text.

Faculty should work with Learning Center staff to ensure adequate time for taping,enlarging or brailing (3 weeks when possible). Provide a reading list or syllabus to the student or the Learning Center when requested. Handouts,in-class assignments and directions for projects must be available in alternative format, if requested.

Attendance/Timeline Flexibility

Faculty should, to the extent possible given the nature of the course, make allowances for absence, accept make-up work, or provide assignments early to allow extra time for completion.

Note Takers

Students who have hearing impairments, auditory processing difficulties, or other physical impairments may require the services of a note taker.
Faculty should recommend students as notetakers or provide copies of visual aids, if requested. Allow students to tape lectures.

Presentation Adjustments

Faculty should face students when lecturing, describe visual aids, read aloud what you write on the board, restate other students’ responses or questions when leading a discussion, provide space in front of class for sign language interpreters,wear microphones when requested, etc.

Interpreting/Captioning

Students with significant hearing loss may rely on captioning, sign or oral interpreters for communication. Disabilities Services contracts these services.

Permission to Tape Record Class Lectures

Students with auditory processing difficulties may need to record class lectures for their personal use only.

Room Changes, Room and Field Trip Accessibility

Students who use wheelchairs or have difficulty walking need to have their class/program in an accessible location. Other situations that may necessitate changing a room include a specific need for a room equipped with tables and chairs rather than desks, a "quieter" location (e.g. away from the street) or a room with appropriate acoustics or lighting. The instructor may be asked to change the location of a class/ program or consider special seating arrangements for a student with special mobility needs. Disabilities Services helps coordinate access to field trips for students.

Voice Amplification

Students with moderate hearing loss may use sound amplification devices in order to hear adequately.

Early Registration

Students whose accommodations require pre-quarter arrangements (e.g. sign language interpreter, books on tape, Brailed materials) or who need to work with certain combinations of classes, can register at the earliest possible date in order to ensure that the services are in place for the first week of the quarter.

Exceptions to Policy

In some cases a particular disability may warrant an accommodation which is an exception to University policy. For example, students whose disabilities have a documented, significant effect on learning a foreign language may request approval for an alternative option, Foreign Language Substitution, that satisfies the foreign language requirement. Substitution of history and cultural classes is the most common alternate approved.

Full Time Equivalency

Students with a documented need can qualify to take fewer than 12 credits per quarter(normally considered a part-time credit load), while maintaining their full-time status for financial aid and other purposes.

Other Accommodations

Accommodations that are requested less frequently include: early notification of projects/assignments, low or high contrast handouts, study guides, use of a word processor, duplicated transparencies, oral announcements, written announcements, extra time to complete assignments, proofreaders, and extension of due dates in consideration of disability-related fatigue.