FAQ for Current Students

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.

Yes, students are encouraged to request an appointment to discuss adjusting or adding accommodations at any point during their matriculation at WWU. Students can either stop by drop-in hours, email their Access Manager, or contact the Front Desk to schedule this appointment (360-650-3083, drsfrontdesk@wwu.edu). 

We recognize that students may experience health challenges, such as injuries or medical procedures, that temporarily prevent them from attending classes in person. It’s important to understand that Remote Participation and an Emergency Medical Leave of Absence serve different purposes, and one may be more appropriate than the other depending on the situation.

The Emergency Medical Leave of Absence is designed specifically for students who are temporarily unable to attend classes due to an illness, injury, or medical procedure. This leave is issued by the Student Health Center once appropriate documentation from a healthcare provider is submitted. DAC accommodations are not retroactive, so our accommodations can help support students once they are back to campus.  If you are facing a temporary injury or medical issue, and need short-term relief, the Emergency Medical Leave of Absence is likely the better option. Once you have recovered and are ready to return to campus, you can work with the DAC to discuss any accommodations you might need to continue your coursework.

Important Note: If more than 14 days of leave are needed, the student should consult with the Office of Student Life for further options. Instructors may also have discretion to deny requests for extra time or accommodations depending on the course requirements.

The Remote Participation accommodation through the DAC is typically used when a student knows in advance that they will not be able to attend in-person classes due to a temporary disability-related barrier to attendance.  However, remote participation is not the best mechanism for short-term injuries or emergency medical procedures. Here’s why:

• Implementation time: The process of arranging Remote Participation accommodations can take 3–4 weeks, as it requires coordination with academic departments and instructors to ensure that the accommodation can be implemented without fundamentally altering the learning objectives of the course.
• No retroactive adjustments: Remote Participation accommodations cannot be applied retroactively for missed work or classes. Therefore, if a student has already missed time due to a medical issue, they cannot apply for remote participation to make up for that lost time.

If you're uncertain which option is right for you, or if you have questions about the process, feel free to reach out to the Student Health Center or the DAC for guidance.