Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

An accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a class, the learning environment, or the way things are usually done in the university environment.

Any student with a disability is eligible for services. Eligibility does not guarantee accommodations. Students new to our office can start in two places. One, you can schedule an informational meeting with a counselor to learn more about our office and services, or two, you can jump right to filling out an application.

Accommodations are individualized for each student and their specific situation. An accommodations counselor will help you identify appropriate accommodations.

View our Documentation Guidelines.

Yes. Admitted students can schedule an informational meeting with a counselor to learn more about our office and services.

It depends. High school and college are different in environment and pace. College might have different barriers for students with disabilities than they experienced in high school. An accommodation counselor can help you navigate those differences and help identify potential accommodations for a college environment.

No. The accommodations process at the DAC is about informed choice. You may be eligible to use an accommodation and it is your choice whether to use the accommodation in a given class or not.

The DAC will need to know about your disability in order to approve an accommodation. The DAC does not share information with other offices, family members, faculty, or staff.

This depends on who you share information with. The DAC will always know what accommodations you have. If you attach accommodations to a class, your instructors will know. If you tell another student, they will know. The DAC may share information to an instructor about an accommodation you have attached to their class. The DAC will not share information about accommodations not attached to a class or why you have the accommodation.

Yes. An informational meeting with a counselor would be a great place to start.

Every quarter, each student with accommodations is responsible for attaching those accommodations to the classes which they want to utilize them in. This process sends an automatic email to the instructor for that course. It is always a good idea to follow up with your instructor to make sure they received this notice and if they have any questions.

High school and college are different in environment and pace. College might have different barriers for students with disabilities than they experienced in high school. An accommodation counselor can help navigate those differences and help identify potential accommodations for a college environment.

No. The DAC will not share information about any student, their application status, appointments, or use of their accommodations.

It depends. If the student gives permission for a parent or guardian to attend their meeting, than yes.

No. The DAC will not share information about any student, their application status, appointments, or use of their accommodations.

No. The DAC will not share information about any student, their application status, appointments, or use of their accommodations.

It depends. You can set an appointment up with an accommodations counselor to discuss what a disability is and how people typically navigate questions and processes regarding disability.

You can ask questions about how to implement the accommodation requested in your class. You should not ask a student why they have an accommodation or put a student in a position to disclose personal medical information to you.

No. The accommodations process at the DAC is about informed choice. Students are not required to use an accommodation in every class or every pertinent situation. E.g. a student with a testing accommodation may choose to take their exam at the DAC or in the classroom. 

Yes! Please contact the DAC and speak with an access manager. Access managers regularly provide guidance about implementing accommodations. Access managers’ office hours for faculty and students are posted on the DAC homepage.

Please contact the DAC and speak with an access manager. Access managers regularly provide guidance about implementing accommodations. Our staff can work with faculty to address student behavior related to an accommodation that seems disruptive. Access managers’ office hours for faculty and students are posted on the DAC homepage.

Please let the student know about the DAC and encourage them to make an appointment with an access manager. You might point them to our webpage about applying for DAC services. If a student would like to talk with a peer about seeking accommodations, the student staff in the Disability Outreach Center are a great resource. Please do not advise students about what accommodations you think they need.

We worked with a number of folks and departments creating the Equity, Accessibility, & Private Considerations document, hosted on ATUS’s website and google to address these issues. If you have additional questions, Please contact an access manager.

To implement extra time in Canvas please reference this two minute long Accessibility: Quiz Accommodation video on YouTube or this guide on Extending Time on a Published Quiz.

Notices of approved accommodation are written to be generally applicable. Access managers are glad to work with faculty to provide clarity about an accommodation and discuss ways to apply the accommodation in a particular class. Please call the DAC or contact an access manager during their office hours to discuss. Access managers’ office hours for faculty and students are posted on the DAC homepage.