AccessAbility Services
What is a reasonable accommodation?
The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) strives to proactively identify and remove barriers to access, to promote inclusion, and minimize the need for individual accommodations. Upon request, the University will provide reasonable accommodation(s) to otherwise qualified students as required by law to ensure equal access to University educational opportunities, programs, services, and activities in the most integrated setting, to the extent such requested accommodations do not impose an undue hardship upon the University, constitute a fundamental alteration to a program, or compromise academic integrity.
At the college level, it is students’ responsibility to make their disability status and need for accommodation(s) known. Upon receiving a request, OAS determines reasonable accommodation through an interactive and collaborative process.
Accommodations are not student preferences; they are determined on a case-by-case basis through a collaborative process among the student, the AccessAbility Coordinator, and faculty. Neither supervisors, faculty, program sponsors, nor unit administrators may independently deny a request for accommodation.
In order to access accommodations, students are required to register with OAS and engage in a process that includes disclosure of disability.
Examples of accommodations
Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis, through a collaborative process among the Office of AccessAbility Services, the student, and faculty. Accommodations depend on many factors. The following are examples of some possible accommodations, depending on many factors. This does not serve as an exhaustive list.
Academic adjustments are provided in limited cases involving a significant disability, where the graduate expectations for the quantitative skills and/or second language proficiency are a barrier to the completion of a degree.
The nature of a student’s disability may cause considerable difficulty with presenting in front of a group, group projects, or class participation. While faculty are not required to alter the essential elements or the learning outcomes of the course, flexibility in achieving outcomes or alternate opportunities to complete course requirements may be necessary. Alternate assignments are for when the impact of a student’s disability prevents participating in a specific assignment as outlined in the course syllabus.
Alternate media provides individuals access to print material through different formats. Alternate media may be formatted and provided as electronic PDF files, audio files, large print material, and Braille. Due to copyright laws, students must show proof that they have purchased their books before they can receive them in an alternate format. All alternate media materials are intended for a student’s individual use and should not be shared with others. Any duplication of materials is prohibited.
ASL Interpretation is the most prominent type of interpreting used today. Interpreters interpret between two distinct languages — American Sign Language (ASL) and English. ASL interpreting occurs in two ways: simultaneously and consecutively. According to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), simultaneous interpreting requires interpreters to listen and sign, or watch and speak, at the same time. The interpreter begins to convey a sentence in the target language while listening or watching the message being delivered in the source language. Consecutive interpreting “…begins only after the speaker has spoken or signed a sentence or paragraph. Interpreters may take notes to help create a coherent and accurate translation.”
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services is a professional service that can be delivered on location or remotely. CART services are described as “the instant translation of the spoken word into English text using a stenotype machine, notebook computer, and realtime software.” The text produced by the CART service can be displayed on an individual’s computer monitor, projected onto a screen, combined with a video presentation to appear as captions, or otherwise made available using other transmission and display systems.
Assistive technology (AT) can be defined as technology solutions used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. AT refers to a broad range of devices, services, strategies, and practices that are developed and applied to help students overcome limitations they may face.
Absences from class may occur unexpectedly, impacting regular class attendance and participation. Although class attendance is not a University requirement, participation may be used as part of a student’s course grade. While faculty are not required to alter the essential elements or the learning outcomes of the course, flexibility in achieving outcomes or alternate opportunities to complete course requirements may be necessary.
Captioning or transcription services convert speech and audio information of multimedia content into a textual equivalent. Captions are time-synced and integrated into multimedia content, while transcriptions provide the text in full separately from the multimedia content.
Deadline extensions are for when students are unable to complete or submit their work due to unexpected symptoms related to their disability. While faculty are not required to alter the essential elements or the learning outcomes of the course, flexibility in achieving outcomes or alternate opportunities to complete course requirements may be necessary. A student’s disability can affect the student’s ability to turn in homework, assignments, or projects on the due date outlined in the course syllabus.
Based on the nature of students’ disabilities, they may have difficulty completing assignments on time. While instructors are not required to alter the essential elements or the learning outcomes of the course, flexibility in achieving outcomes or alternate opportunities to complete course requirements may be necessary.
A lab assistant is a student hired by OAS who assists with various lab requirements and procedures that students are unable to complete (e.g., retrieval of supplies or equipment). Lab assistants are hired to aid students with disabilities with the physical mechanics and dexterity requirements of lab activities (e.g., lifting, pouring, etc.). Lab assistants are required to complete the appropriate health and safety trainings as required. The provision of a lab assistant is not considered a substitute for a student’s full participation in each lab.
A discussion assistant is a student hired by the OAS who assists with various tasks and procedures within a discussion course (e.g., providing verbal descriptions of images, retrieve supplies or equipment, etc.). Discussion assistants are required to complete any training required by the faculty prior to participating in the discussion. The provision of a discussion assistant is not considered a substitute for a student’s full participation in each discussion.
Notetaking assistance is determined on a class-by-class basis and is dependent upon the nature of each course and the method of instruction as it relates to the student’s documented disability. Notetaking assistance is provided as an academic accommodation, however it is not considered a substitute for a student’s full participation in class. Notes and/or recordings provided are for a student’s personal study use only and are not to be shared with other individuals.
Notetaking assistance may include:
- Technology-based assistance - use of a laptop/tablet, notetaking service, Livescribe Smart Pen, etc.;
- Permission to record classes;
- Receipt of instructor outlines and/or notes;
- Receipt of peer notes from a class member.
Priority registration allows a student to register for classes on the first day of the registration period each semester. This provides the opportunity to arrange a schedule (to the greatest extent possible) that is suitable based on a student’s disability-related needs. Priority registration does not override any University or departmental policies such as the need to meet with an academic advisor, removal of any holds (e.g., Bursar), permission number requirements for specific courses, etc. In addition, priority registration does not guarantee the provision of classes at specific times.
Students who may qualify for priority registration include:
- Students with mobility disabilities or those who work with personal assistants;
- Students following a strict medication or treatment regimen;
- Students who use American Sign Language interpreters or captioning services;
- Students approved for alternate media for printed materials.
Based on the nature and functional limitations of their disability, students may be eligible to take less than a full-time courseload while still maintaining full-time status.
Students who may qualify for a reduced courseload with full-time status include:
- Students with mobility disabilities or those who work with personal assistants;
- Students following a strict medication or treatment regimen;
- Students with significant energy limitations;
- Students with significant processing disorders.
Testing accommodations are determined on a class-by-class basis and are dependent upon the nature of each course and the method of assessment as it relates to the student’s documented disability.
Testing accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
- Extended time;
- A reduced distraction environment or private room separate from the class;
- Use of assistive technology such as a computer or speech-to-text software;
- Readers and/or writers
