Access is a campus-wide responsibility but faculty play a major role in responding to the instructional needs of students. We hope that the information in this section will help give you an idea of different types of accommodations and what they entail. This is not an exhaustive list. Please call our office if you have any questions about any accommodation listed on the professor letter provided to you by the Student Disability Resource Center. Students are eligible only for the accommodations listed on their letter. If you have questions about Accommodate, please view the tutorial or give us a call!
IN THE CLASSROOM
ABILITY TO SIT, STAND OR WALK AROUND: Some students require accommodation to manage pain or anxiety. The ability to move around often alleviates the symptoms of pain or anxiety.
ALTERNATIVE FORMAT FOR CLASSROOM HANDOUTS AND MATERIALS: Students may request enlarged print on course syllabi/handouts (legal size min. 18 pt.)
ALTERNATIVE MEDIA: Students may have electronic textbooks or audio textbooks through the Alternative Media Access Center. It is the student's responsibility to request this service, if their documentation supports it; the Student Disability Resource Center will certify the student's needs.
AUDIO RECORDER/SMARTPEN: Students will be allowed to record any regular class lecture.
BOOKS IN DIGITAL FORMAT (CIDI): Students who are approved for books in digital format as an accommodation may request their books in an accessible electronic format. In most cases, this will be a PDF or Word document in which text can be enlarged and read aloud by screen readers and text-to-speech software. At the student's request, the Student Disability Resource Center will assist with this process.
CAPTIONED MEDIA: Students requiring sign language interpreters and/or captioning will have this service coordinated on an individual basis.
DISABILITY RELATED ABSENCES (PDF): Due to some student’s disability, exacerbation of his/her condition could occur during the semester, requiring medical treatment and class absences. Special consideration might be considered regarding attendance, however, most importantly, the student is required to meet the essential course requirements.
EXTENDED TIME ON IN CLASS ASSIGNMENTS: This accommodation applies to work that students are required to do in class within a set time limit, particularly if the work is being evaluated. The student and instructor should discuss the in class assignment and determine a reasonable amount of time for the extension.
FOOD AND DRINK: Some students, particularly diabetics, require food and drink in the classroom to manage blood sugar throughout the day.
LAPTOP FOR NOTE-TAKING: If you restrict laptop use in your class other than as an accommodation, please consider using the following language when making an announcement to the class:
"If you are a student who wishes to use a laptop for note-taking, please see me during office hours to discuss your rationale."
This choice of words will maintain student anonymity, compliance with ADA laws, and your capacity to restrict laptop use to those with accommodations. During your discussion with the student, you can be explicit about your expectations with regard to laptop use protocols in your class.
LEAVE CLASS SUDDENLY: Some students require accommodation to manage pain, anxiety or other disability related occurrences. Students are responsible for discussing leaving class with the instructor.
NOTE TAKING ASSISTANCE (pdf): Our office may ask the instructor to read a statement to the class asking for volunteer note takers. Both the note taker and the student registered with the Student Disability Resource Center are required to attend class regularly.
PRIORITY SEATING: Students may need specific seating arrangements to accommodate needs. Such arrangements may include front row seating, seating near an entrance, and alternative seating if in-class desks/chairs are not accessible.
SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR CLASS PARTICIPATION: Speaking in front of a group can be an agonizing experience for a student with a disability. Self-expression should be encouraged; however, pressure to speak is not likely to be helpful. Please speak to the student privately about class participation. If the student continues to feel extremely anxious about speaking in class, please respect the student’s needs; do not force vocal participation, as long as such a response does not seriously hinder your course standards.
TEXT TO SPEECH SOFTWARE: Text to Speech software uses a computer to convert online text into spoken voice output which "reads" aloud to a student.
QUIZZES/EXAMS
ALTERNATIVE FORMAT TESTS/QUIZ: Altering the format of tests or answer sheets may be necessary to accommodate a student's needs. For example, some students can not take tests or quizzes on computers. Some students may need to have a proctor transfer answers onto a Scantron sheet. It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their testing accommodations, and to make arrangements with the Testing Center if applicable.
COMPUTER SPELL/GRAMMAR CHECK, OR OTHER ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their testing accommodations, and to make arrangements with the Testing Center if applicable.
DISTRACTION REDUCED TESTING ENVIRONMENT: It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their testing accommodations, and to make arrangements for a distraction reduced environment with the Testing Center if applicable.
ENLARGED PRINT: Students may request enlarged print on quizzes/exams (legal size min. 18 pt.) It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their testing accommodations, and to make arrangements with the Testing Center if applicable.
EXTENDED TIME: Students may be granted one-and-a-half to two times the normal time to complete quizzes and exams. It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their extended time and to make arrangements with the Testing Center if they would like to test separately from the class.
FORMULA SHEET: A formula sheet is a testing accommodation for math and sciences classes. It is designed for students whose disability impacts their ability to retrieve formulas. Please meet with the student to discuss whether this accommodation will be needed for tests in this course. Use of a formula sheet should not compromise any essential course objectives. A formula sheet should contain pertinent formulas for the materials to be tested, but is not limited to those formulas. Students are expected to recognize what equations are pertinent to the current course materials and understand the proper use of the information. The instructor and student can develop the formula sheet together or the student can develop it and submit it to the instructor for approval. If the student prepares the formula sheet, it is important that the instructor make sure all the pertinent formulas are listed. It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their testing accommodations, and to make arrangements with the Testing Center if applicable.
NON-PROGRAMMABLE CALCULATORS: Students may use non-programmable calculators on exams in math courses. It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their testing accommodations, and to make arrangements with the Testing Center if applicable.
SPEECH TO TEXT SOFTWARE: Speech to text software or voice recognition allows a student to use his or her voice as an input device. Voice recognition may be used to dictate text into the computer or to give commands to the computer (such as opening application programs, pulling down menus, or saving work). It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their testing accommodations, and to make arrangements with the Testing Center if applicable.
STOP-THE-CLOCK BREAKS: Some students may need to take a break or breaks during quizzes/exams. These breaks should not be included in the student's overall time allotment. It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their testing accommodations, and to make arrangements with the Testing Center if applicable.
TEXT TO SPEECH SOFTWARE: Text to Speech software uses a computer to convert online text into spoken voice output which "reads" aloud to a student. It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their testing accommodations, and to make arrangements with the Testing Center if applicable. Please note: Tests work best in Word document format. Numbers and equations often present a problem with the software.
WORD BANK: A word bank is a testing accommodation for short answer, fill in the blank, or essay tests. It is designed for students who have difficulty retrieving precise words and names due to a disability. Use of a word bank should not compromise any essential course objectives. Please communicate with the student to discuss whether this accommodation will be needed for tests in this course. A word bank should contain the terms and names needed along with other terms and names for short answer, fill in the blank, and essay tests. The instructor and student can form this list together or the student can create the list to be approved by the instructor. If the student prepares the word bank, the instructor should make sure all the correct answers are included among the terms and names listed. It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their testing accommodations, and to make arrangements with the Testing Center if applicable.
WORD PREDICTION SOFTWARE: Word prediction software can help a user during word processing by “predicting” a word the user intends to type. Predictions are based on spelling, syntax, and frequent/recent use. It is the student's responsibility to inform faculty/staff of their intent to use their testing accommodations, and to make arrangements with the Testing Center if applicable.