All colleges and universities in the United States offer accommodations to students with disabilities. They can vary from advanced course selection to additional time on exams, depending on the individual’s needs. Some conditions that qualify for accommodations include learning disabilities, blindness, hard of hearing, and chronic medical conditions. You can learn more about accommodations at your college by visiting your school’s disability resource center. In this article, we highlight exactly what you need to know about accommodations for college students and how to get them.
What are Accommodations for College Students?
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Accommodations are for college students with disabilities. They are procedures or resources, such as tools, that allow these students to have equal access and opportunities compared to those who don’t have disabilities. An easy way to explain it would be that they level the playing field.
All colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions are required to offer accommodations due to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Who Qualifies for Accommodations?
Students with disabilities can apply and potentially qualify for accommodations. A few examples of disabilities include blindness, low vision, deafness, hard of hearing, autism, mobility impairment, ADHD, dyslexia, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, Tourette’s syndrome, chronic medical conditions, and other health and psychological impairments.
Depending on the disability, a student could qualify for one or more accommodations.
However, having a disability doesn’t mean you’re automatically approved for all the accommodations a school offers. Instead, the school’s disabilities services or resource center will work with you to determine which procedures and tools fit best for your needs. These are generally called “reasonable accommodations.”
You’ll be granted reasonable accommodations based on how your disability affects you and your ability to complete schoolwork. Some common barriers schools use to determine accommodations include trouble staying focused, seeing text, processing information, spelling, communicating, with muscle control, hearing, or reading.
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Types of Accommodations
There are several types of accommodations for students, depending on the individual’s disability, but exact accommodations available can vary from school to school. They can help students tackle tests, create schedules that work around their medical conditions, or receive instruction in alternative formats.
Accommodations are usually grouped into four categories:
1. Presentation
Students can receive instruction, tests, and assignments in alternative formats, such as through American Sign Language, large print, repeated information, note-takers, auditory cues, study guides, Braille, readers, audiobooks, and written copies of spoken instructions.
For example, an individual who has trouble remembering information might qualify for visual cues. If someone has trouble maintaining attention, they could receive headphones or assistance with organization. A student who has difficulties comprehending text may be allowed to access an on-demand dictionary or preview vocabulary.
2. Response
Response accommodations are for students who need to take exams or complete assignments in different ways. Individuals who need these types of accommodations may have access to speech-to-text software, cue cards, computers for paper tests, spell-checking resources, templates, scribe, audio recorders, and word-processing programs.
Someone who is hard of hearing may require an interpreter or scribe on a test, while someone who struggles with visual-spatial tasks could benefit from graph paper.
3. Timing/Scheduling
Timing/scheduling refers to a few different kinds of accommodations. For instance, a student might receive extended time to complete tests and assignments (including 1.5 to 2 times longer), more breaks, additional sessions to complete tests, or provided timelines and checklists for assignments.
It can also refer to how and when a student creates their course schedule. For example, they may be allowed to choose their classes a few days earlier than the general student body in order to create a schedule that works around their medication or health needs.
4. Setting
“Setting” accommodations change the conditions in which a test or assignment is provided. Tests might be presented in private exam rooms, with reduced distractions, and/or with preferential seating. The student may also be allowed to wear headphones or use fidget devices if they have trouble focusing.
For example, a student who has trouble hearing could be allowed to sit closer to the professor. If the accommodation allows the individual to always use a laptop, they’ll receive preferential seating near an electrical outlet.
How Can You Request Accommodations in College?
To request accommodations in college, you’ll need to start with your disability services office – schools have various names for this department. Most colleges have the steps listed on their websites, but generally you’ll have to start by registering with the department. You’ll meet with the representative to review your disability and requested accommodations, discuss how these accommodations will help you succeed, and submit proof of your disability.
If approved, you’ll receive a letter, which can then be shown to professors at the start of each semester or quarter. You may have to regularly check in with the disability services office to review your progress or provide updates on how the accommodations are working for you.
If you feel you’re eligible for accommodations at your college, don’t be afraid about discussing your needs and struggles with the school’s disability services department. They’re there to help you succeed and identify the right routes that will assist you. If you think you’ll need accommodations, research the colleges‘ services and ask about other students’ experiences before applying. You’ll want to be sure you’re going to a college that is going to support you and has the accommodations you need.
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