Accommodation Protocols

Students with Disabilities

  • Students have the right and responsibility to decide whether or not to use support services and accommodations.
  • Students who choose to use accommodations must provide the PASS Office with the appropriate documentation of their disability.
  • The PASS Office reviews documentation and determines reasonable accommodations.
  • All student documentation is kept on file in PASS.
  • Students choosing to utilize accommodations must make an appointment each semester to meet with a PASS advisor.
  • Letters of Academic Accommodations will be provided for students to take to their instructors.
  • Instructors should not ask for, or accept documentation of the student’s disability.
  • Instructors can and should ask the student for a Letter of Academic Accommodations, if the student requests an accommodation.

Letters of Academic Accommodations

  • The letters are for informational purposes.
  • The letter serves as notification of a disability and indicates accommodations for which the student is eligible.
  • Letters are not automatically renewed and must be requested by the student each semester.
  • Accommodations are not put into place unless requested by the student.
  • Students can request Letters of Academic Accommodations at any time during the semester.
  • It is important to note that accommodations are never retroactive.

Scheduling of Exams

  • Students must schedule each exam they want test accommodation for with the PASS Office.
  • An Alternative Testing form will be given to the student to take to their instructor. (Please refer to Alternative Testing Accommodations for more details.)
  • The Alternative Testing Form is official notice that the student has requested and scheduled an exam with PASS.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to give the form to their instructor in a timely manner.
  • Instructors are not required to provide test accommodations if the student has missed the deadline to schedule a test in PASS, or has not provided a testing form in a timely manner.

Proctoring

  • Students taking exams in PASS are proctored at all times by a professional staff member.
  • Students are not allowed to take any electronic devices into the testing area with them.
  • Students do not have internet access while taking exams.
  • Cell phones and back packs are held at the front reception desk during exams.
  • Students are not allowed to listen to music while taking an exam.
  • Students taking on-line exams will not be proctored in PASS if the rest of the class is taking an unproctored exam.

Providing Accommodations

It is recommended that students requesting test accommodations receive them through the PASS Office to ensure that accommodations provided are consistent for all students with disabilities. Instructors choosing to provide accommodations have the responsibility for ensuring the quality of accommodations provided to the student.

The following guidelines should be followed:

  • Extended time is provided (not unlimited).
  • Extended time is double the time the rest of the class is given to complete the exam.
  • Student should be provided with a distraction-reduced, separate environment.
  • Open notes, books, etc. should be provided to everyone in the class, if provided to the student with disabilities.