Administering Accommodations
Administering Accommodations in the Classroom
If you have questions about how to implement a particular accommodation in the classroom, this page is a good place to start! Below, you will find information on viewing Letters of Approved Accommodation, as well as different types of accommodations. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and if you have any questions you should reach out to Student Disability Services!
Letters of Approved Accommodations (LOAAs)
Students who have been approved for accommodations will send their Letters of Approved Accommodations (LOAAs) to their teachers via the Accommodate portal. When possible, this should occur at the beginning of each quarter, prior to the first use of the accommodations, but students can send these letters at any time over the course of the quarter! These notification letters serve as conversation starters between teachers, students, and the DSP office, helping to ensure students' needs are appropriately met.
How do I view LOAAs from students?
To view individual letters:
- Go to the Accommodate Portal.
- Click "Letters of Approved Accommodation"
- Select the letter you wish to view and sign.
To view accommodations by course:
Sometimes, you may want to see all of the students in a course and the accommodations they are approved for. To do this,
- Go to the Accommodate Portal
- Click "Course"
- Select the course you wish to view
- On the top ribbon, select "Students." From here, you will be able to see a list of the accommodations each student is approved for.
Implementing Accommodations in the Classroom
How do I implement accommodations in the classroom?
Regardless of the kinds of courses you are teaching, you will likely receive accommodation letters from one or more students. Students are responsible for sharing their accommodation letter to alert instructors and faculty of accommodations they will need to use in each course.
You’ve received an accommodation letter (LOAA) from a student, so now what? Below are some common accommodations and the faculty and student responsibilities. Please know that this list is not exhaustive! If you have additional questions, please reach out to Student Disability Services! We are always happy to answer your questions!
Testing Accommodations
Testing accommodations may include:
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Extended time
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Testing in a distraction reduced setting
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Assistive technology (text-to-speech, speech-to-text, etc)
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Access to food/drink/medication
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And similar accommodations.
Student responsibilities: Students are responsible for scheduling their tests and exams in the Accommodate testing portal at least five (5) calendar days in advance for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters, and a least three (3) calendar days in advance for the Summer Quarter. For final exams that are scheduled during the designated final exam period, students must submit requests at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the first day of the final exam period.
Faculty Responsibilities:
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Faculty are responsible for uploading tests and testing instructions via the Accommodate faculty portal at least 1 day prior to the test. This gives SDS time to ensure that the test is accessible for students and clarify any questions.
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Faculty are also responsible for being available via phone and email for the entirety of the test, so that students testing in the testing center have equitable access to the instructor for questions.
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Faculty are responsible for adding additional time to Canvas exams. If you would like a refresher on how to add extra time to canvas exams, check out our how-to guide.
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You can also check out our Faculty Responsibilities for Testing page to learn more.
Notetaking Accommodations
Many disabilities impact a student's ability to take notes in class. The most common notetaking accommodation is audio recordings in class.
Student responsibilities: Sign the Audio recording memorandum of understanding, if you instructor requests it
Faculty responsibilities: This one is easy for faculty: simply be aware of who has audio recordings and remember to allow them to use their computer or other device for this accommodation. You can support students with this accommodation by speaking into a microphone, projecting your voice, and reminding classmates to project their voice during class discussions.
Adjusted Assignment Deadlines
Sometimes a disability can unexpectedly impact a student's ability to finish working on an assignment. Students may submit projects and papers up to two (2) days after the deadline with no penalty. This does not apply to group projects.
Student responsibilities: Because homework is routinely reviewed during course sessions, you may not use this accommodation for homework. You may not use this accommodation for lab courses. You may not use this accommodation for presentations and group projects. In the event that this accommodation conflicts with an end of the course assignment, all coursework must be submitted on the last day of the quarter/semester.
Faculty responsibilities: Please do not deduct points for late work. Student is allowed to submit projects and papers two (2) days after the deadline with no penalty. This does not apply to group projects.
Alternate Format Text
When we think of reading, we often think of looking at a piece of paper, a book, or a computer screen, and reading the words in the traditional sense. However, this form of reading is not accessible for all students. Alternate Format Text, or AFT for short, is text that has been remediated for accessibility. In its most common form, AFT is a digital text that has been made accessible and can be read aloud by a computer text-to-speech program. However, it can also include other formats like braille or large print.
Student responsibilities: Students must request their textbooks via the Alternate Format Request Form in order to receive an accessible copy.
Faculty responsibilities: Faculty are responsible for (1) submitting books to the bookstore on time and (2) checking that any Canvas readings are accessible via text-to-speech technology. Faculty can always connect with the Office of Teaching and Learning for support in making scans accessible. Additional resources are below:
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UDOIT Accessibility
You can also check out our Faculty Quick Guide to AFT to learn more about Alternate Format Text and why it is important.
Adjusted Attendance
Sometimes a disability can unexpectedly impact a student's ability to attend classes. This student is allowed to miss one-two (2) class sessions without penalty. These are considered excused absences and are disability related.
Faculty responsibilities: Please do not deduct points for missing 1-2 courses.
Student responsibilities: Please note that you will need to make arrangements to obtain class content from a student in class or your professor. You may not use this accommodation for a class presentation or group project. This accommodation does not apply to labs or courses which meet one time per week. Please notify your professor via email when availing yourself of this accommodation.
Interpreting and CART
There may be times when a student requires an interpreter or Communication Access Real Time.
Student responsibilities: fill out the communication access form at the start of each quarter.
Faculty responsibilities: Please be on the lookout for an email from an Accommodation Specialist at SDS who will be reaching out to you with best practices on working with CART providers and interpreters in the classroom.