Reasonable Accommodations

What is a Reasonable Accommodation?

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, job, activity, or facility. It enables a qualified student with a disability the opportunity to attain the same level of performance or to enjoy benefits and privileges that are available to a similarly situated student who does not have a disability.  To determine reasonable accommodations, the Disability Services & Resources staff may seek information from appropriate University personnel regarding essential standards for courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities.  Reasonable accommodations are determined by examining:

• Barriers resulting from interaction between the documented disability and the campus environment.
• Possible accommodations that might remove the barriers.
• Whether or not the student has access to the course, program, service, job, activity or facility without accommodations.
• Whether or not the essential elements of the course, program, service, job, activity or facility are compromised by the accommodations.

Some Common Academic & Non-Academic Adjustments

All reasonable accommodations are individualized based on the nature of the disability and the academic environment, and are discussed with each student individually.  Below is a partial list of some common reasonable accommodations that may be coordinated through the Disability Services & Resources office:

• Accessible classroom/location
• Assistive listening devices
• Assistive technology
• Auxiliary aids and services (note takers, readers, ASL interpreters, real-time captioning)
• Course substitutions
• Document conversion (Braille, large print, audiotape, electronic format)
• Exam modifications
• Alternative formats (e.g. enlarged print)
• Use of computer/adaptive software
• Extended time
• Quiet exam room
• Readers and scribes
• Accommodated housing and/or dining options
• Taped lectures

Requesting Reconsideration of an Accommodation

Students have the right to decline any and all reasonable accommodations offered through the Disability Services & Resources office, but should do so only under appropriate advisement.  Once declined, reasonable accommodations may be reinstated at any time, but students must request them in a timely manner by meeting with the Director of Disability Services to ensure the office is aware of the need for reinstatement. 

Students wishing to request additional reasonable accommodations other than those outlined in the student's original authorization must meet with the Director to make such a request.  Requests for additional reasonable accommodations may require the submission of additional documentation that supports the need for the reasonable accommodation.