Accommodations and Services
Academics
Academic requirements may be modified, as necessary, to ensure that they do not discriminate against qualified applicants or currently enrolled student with disabilities. However, academic requirements that are essential to programs of instruction (i.e., specific prerequisite courses, attendance requirements) are not considered discriminatory and cannot be waived. These modifications, coordinated through the Office of Student Disability Services, shall neither affect the substance of the educational program nor compromise educational methods.
The following listing, although not exhaustive, represents the services and accommodations that are more commonly provided to “eligible” students with disabilities. Eligibility is determined by Student Disability Services on a case-by-case basis:
Services
- Correspondence with faculty
- Relocation of classes to accessible classrooms and/or buildings
- Assistive technology loans (temporary)
- Accessible materials
- Counseling
- Academic Advising
Possible Accommodations
- Preferential seating in classrooms
- Being allowed to tape record lectures
- Use of a scribe for exams and quizzes
- Copies of instructor’s lecture notes
- Copies of PowerPoint presentations and overheads
- Reduced course load
- Use of enlarged print for all print-based materials
- Use of a reader for exams and quizzes
- Use of a computer to take exams and/or write papers
- Alternate test formats (i.e., oral instead of written, etc.)
- Advanced copy of course syllabus, textbooks, materials, assignments, etc.
- Extra time on exams and quizzes
- Use of a calculator
- Use of spellcheckers and/or word lists
- Use of a sign language interpreter or real-time captionist
- Receiving handouts in alternate format.
NOTE:
- Accommodations CANNOT be made retroactively, and begin only after appropriate documentation is received and reasonable time for accommodations development has been allowed.
- Medical conditions that may require extended absences from classes cannot be reasonably accommodated if participation in the class is a requirement. The Office of Student Disability Services cannot excuse absences from classes, as this is a faculty responsibility. Even if the student’s instructors excuse additional absences, the student will still be responsible for all missed information, homework, papers, and assignments.
