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If you want to be tested, or if you want to know about how to register for academic accommodations during your studies at ������, you should at the start of the semester – and ideally at the beginning of your studies. We work with off-campus specialists who are qualified to conduct widely accepted testing in American higher educational environments. 

It’s better to be registered, and for your professor to be aware of your eligibility from the beginning of the semester, even if you decide not to request exam accommodations. 

You are responsible for sharing your accommodations letter with your professors in order to use their accommodations. We recommend that you do so via email and schedule an appointment with your professor(s) to discuss your accommodations in detail. Most likely, professors have had prior experience with similar requests and accommodations. We highly recommend you discuss these accommodations during your professor’s office hours as this will allow for adequate time to go over the entire semester’s logistics: the dates of exams, the use of a laptop for class notes or exams, applying the extra time on exams, etc... 

In addition, you can talk about your general academic strengths and weaknesses to determine if there is additional support your professor can provide. 

You must fill out an to request support from the accessibility [at] aup.edu (Accessibility Support Office) for exams. If according to your registered documentation, you are eligible for extra time, a laptop, or a separate location as part of your accommodations for exams, you should complete the aforementioned webform no later than two weeks before the anticipated exam date. Last minute requests for exam accommodations cannot be honored. Please plan ahead! 

Someone from the accessibility [at] aup.edu (Accessibility Support Office (ASO)) will send an email to you after they have processed your request. Contact the ASO if you haven’t been contacted at least 48 hours before the exam. 

Remember that ������ professors are happy to work with you.  Since your accommodations are based on personalized testing, they will be considered seriously by professors at ������. Give your professors a chance to provide guidance and advice early in the semester. Don’t put off these conversations. 

A reasonable adjustment to make a program, facility, or resource accessible to a person with a disability

A comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, public services, public accommodations and services operated by private entities, and telecommunications.

The student may need to leave class, or an exam for a short amount of time.

“A person with a disability” is “any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working. A major life activity also includes the operation of a major bodily function, including but not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.”  – Americans with Disabilities Act.

An area which is separate from the rest of the class, but could contain a small group of students.

All handouts should be provided to the student in an electronic format which can be used with assistive technology.

All handouts (including tests, exams, and quizzes) should be provided in an enlarged font (font size determined by the faculty and student together).

The student is allowed twice the amount of time given for any in-class exams, quizzes or timed essays. (Ex. The student receives two hours for a one-hour exam)

The student is allowed one and a half times the amount of time given for any in-class exams, quizzes or timed essays. (Ex. The student receives one and a half hours for a one-hour exam)

The student needs flexibility to eat or drink in class (provided that does not pose a safety issue).

The inclusion of people with disabilities, with or without special accommodations, in programs, activities, and facilities with their non-disabled peers.

Functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, learning, working, and participating in community activities (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)

The student requires the use of a laptop to type their papers.

The student may hire an external note taker to take notes in class.

Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; gentio-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)

An individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable modification to rules, policies, or practices, the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities provided by a public entity. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)

a change or adjustment to the way things usually are in order to attend the needs of individuals with disabilities. The reason for a change of adjustment is to ensure individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities as others. 

This accommodation can be used to move an exam, (major project, or presentation) if 2 or more are scheduled for the same day. To use this accommodation students must notify faculty 2 weeks in advance to coordinate and agree upon a new arrangement. Students contact one of the professors and ask that the date be moved to another day.

**It is important to note, this accommodation cannot be used as an extension. If an extension is needed, please contact your professor and/or class dean for assistance.

There are four kinds of accommodations that are not considered reasonable: (1) It is not a reasonable accommodation if making the accommodation or allowing participation poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others; (2) It is not a reasonable accommodation if making the accommodation means making a substantial change in an essential element of the curriculum (educational viewpoint) ;  (3) It is not reasonable if making the accommodation means a substantial alteration in the manner in which you provide your services; and (4) It is not a reasonable accommodation if it poses an undue financial or administrative burden.

The student is allowed the use of a calculator on an exam where simple math calculations are required, but are not an essential learning objective of the course. Faculty can determine the type of calculator which is appropriate.

The student is allowed to use a laptop to take notes during class, or to type answers to an exam or quiz.

Adjustments to the format or administration of an assessment that ensure students with disabilities can effectively demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Examples of such accommodations include extra time to complete an exam, supervised breaks, distraction reduced testing space, etc. 

Alternative arrangements made for students with in order to make materials, resources, and lectures accessible within the classroom. These can include things like the use of a personal computer/mobile device during class time, note taking support, advanced access to lecture materials, etc.  

Short-term adjustments provided when recovering from a temporary condition. This is offered in order to reduce obstacles caused by psychological, physical, or medical limitations that are expected to be better over a period of time. 

A section of the Rehabilitation Act that protects persons with disabilities from disability discrimination and supports their education. It provides guidelines to enable students with specific access needs to learn alongside their non-disabled classmates while receiving adequate accommodation.  

A federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in everyday life. It covers disabilities such as physical impairments, learning difficulties, sensory impairments, etc. 

A federal law enacted in 1974 that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA applies to any public or private elementary, secondary, or post-secondary school. It also applies to any state or local education agency that receives funds under an applicable program of the US Department of Education. 

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, or activity that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to attain the same level of achievement or enjoy the same benefits and privileges that are available to similarly situated students without disabilities. Reasonable accommodations do not: fundamentally alter a course or program, lower academic standards, cause undue burden on the institution, or pose a threat to the safety of individuals involved.  

A variety of technologies that help with barriers related to disability. Some tech is built with the purpose of addressing disability related needs (e.g., the screen reading software JAWS to help those who are blind), and others are simply tech used in everyday life (e.g., computers).  

This allows for a change in how course content, assessments, or participation are delivered to those with disabilities. This is so they can access materials in a way that meets their specific needs. Common examples include: course slides/notes access in advance to a class period, descriptive text versions of films or documentaries, PDF readable text versions of scanned texts.