Accommodation Descriptions

On this page is a list of typical accommodations and methods for delivering the accommodations to your students in the classroom. Because accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis, some individual variations may be noted on your student’s official Accommodation Memorandum (memo). If an accommodation interferes with an essential academic component, please contact the DSS office immediately at 812-855-7578 or email the student’s Access Coordinator as listed on the memo.

Alternative Format

All classroom materials and exams must be provided to the student in an alternative format prior to use. For information on providing alternate format materials, please see the section providing alternate format materials.

Classroom—Alternative to Participation

Some students may have difficulty formulating an immediate verbal response to questions, speech disfluencies, difficulty reading aloud, etc. If oral expression is NOT a fundamental requirement of the course, you may consider allowing the student to complete an oral assignment using a different format.

Classroom—Flexible Attendance

Action is required by faculty to initiate this accommodation. In order for this accommodation to be valid, the Disability-Related Accommodations Agreement must be approved and on-file with the DSS Office. The student must notify the instructor in advance or by the end of the day of the class missed. For additional information on the online Disability-Related Accommodations Agreement, see disability-related accommodation agreement.

Classroom—Closed Captioning

All videos shown in class must be presented with closed captioning. For information on providing alternatively formatted materials, please see the section providing alternate format materials.

Classroom—Interpreter

The student requires an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for lecturers and exam instruction.

Classroom—Laptop

The student may use a laptop or tablet to take notes in the classroom. Improper use of the device such as using it for non-class-related activities will result in the loss of this accommodation.

Classroom—Large Print

Classroom materials and texts must be provided electronically or in a large print format. Font size will be specified on the memo. If you need help providing the materials in a larger font, please see providing alternate format materials.

Classroom—Notes

Copies of class notes from a peer must be made available to the student unless the notes are posted by the instructor to Canvas. For suggestions on how to find a note taker, please see note-taking accommodations.

Classroom—Permission to eat/drink

The student has permission to have food and drink in the classroom due to disability-related needs.

Classroom—Permission to leave

The student has permission to leave the classroom suddenly in the event of acute onset of disability-related symptoms.

Classroom—Permission to use medical monitor

The student has permission to monitor their medical condition with an electronic device in the classroom.

Classroom—Permission to record

The student is allowed to record class lectures and discussions using DSS-approved software—Sonocent, smart pen, or OneNote. The student may not share the recordings with other students. Sharing of recordings would result in removal of this accommodation; using direct quotes would be considered plagiarism and subject to referral to the Office of Student Conduct.

Classroom—Permission to stand

The student has permission to stand at the back of the classroom as needed to alleviate disability-related symptoms.

Classroom—Preferential seating

The student must be given the opportunity to select a seat that allows best access to the material or quick access to an exit in the case of a medical emergency.

Classroom—Space Management

Various types of disabilities such as vision, mobility or temporary impairments might require students to have a need for using specific furniture. For example, a student might need furniture to be placed in a specific place or they might need a certain type of furniture. The student’s Access Coordinator typically contacts the Space Management Office on campus and will often include instructors in the conversation.

Classroom—Video Description

Verbal description of visual content (i.e. Audio description- AD). Verbalization of visual content (such as videos, images and whiteboard drawings) which conveys the essential elements to the listener. The amount of AD is dependent on the complexity of visuals. This may be pre-recorded (ATAC), an explanation by the instructor, or require the help of an in-class sighed assistant.

Exam—Alternative Setting (Breaks)

The student is allowed to take stop-the-clock breaks on exams. This accommodation is for medical purposes only, such as checking blood sugar, alleviating symptoms of chronic pain, etc. The student may not leave the exam room and a break is NOT to exceed ten (10) minutes for every 60 minutes of exam time.

Exam—Alternative Setting (Private)

The student must be tested in a private setting with only a proctor present.

Exam—Alternative Setting (Reduced distraction)

The student must be tested in a proctored distraction reduced setting free of frequent interruptions.  Number of students in the room will be determined by the size of the space. In a regular classroom, 10 or fewer students would be appropriate.  In a very large lecture hall, up to 30 students may be reasonable if they can be spread out and less distracting when finishing the exam at different times.

Exam—Calculator

The student is allowed a simple calculator for math and math-related tests, quizzes, or exams where basic calculations are not the focus of the assessment or an essential course component. Please note: a calculator is not allowed in basic math courses. Additional permission from the Department of Mathematics may be required.

Exam—Dictation

The student is permitted to dictate test answers to either voice response adaptive software or another recording device.

Exam—Extended Time (1.5X)

The student is allowed time and a half (an additional 50%) on timed tests, quizzes, exams, and in-class written assignments.

Exam—Extended Time (1.5X)—MATH ONLY

The student is allowed time and one-half (an additional 50%) on timed tests, quizzes, exams, and in-class math-related written assignments.

Exam—Extended Time (2X)

The student is allowed double time (an additional 100%) on timed tests, quizzes, exams, and in-class written assignments.

Exam—Extended Time (2X)—ESSAY ONLY

The student is allowed double time (an additional 100%) on timed essay exams.

Exam—Extended Time (2X)—MATH ONLY

The student is allowed double time (an additional 100%) on timed tests, quizzes, exams, and in-class written math-related assignments.

Exam—No Scantrons

The student is permitted to mark answers directly on his/her copy of the exam.

Exam—Permission to eat/drink

The student has permission to have food and drink during exams due to disability-related needs.

Exam—Scribe

The student is permitted to dictate test answers to a proctor who will function as a scribe.

Exam—Spelling Forgiveness

Spelling forgiveness, or the use of an electronic speller for in-class tests, quizzes, exams, and in-class written assignments is permitted when spelling is not the focus of the assessment or an essential course component.

Exam—Test Reader (Software or proctor)

A proctor must read the exam to the student.

Exam—Text-reading software

The student is allowed to use text-reading software on exams or must be provided with an audio recorded version of exams. Example: Kurzweil software.

Exam—Written Instruction

The student requires a written copy of any verbal instructions given prior to a test, exam, or assignment.

Exam—Word Processor

The student is allowed a word processor for exams with an essay format.

X—ATAC Referral

We refer students to the Assistive Technology Accessibility Center (ATAC) for a variety of technology supports. See above in the providing alternate format materials.

X—Animal (Emotional Support)

Animals that provide emotional support that alleviates one or more of the identified symptoms or effects of a person’s existing disability. They are permitted only in the owner’s personal residence and are not permitted in any other university building or facility. They are not recognized under the ADA and are not limited to a particular species.

X—Animal (Service)

Service animals are recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with disabilities. They are permitted in all university buildings and facilities except some laboratories and kitchens for the safety of the dog.

X—CART

Remote transcription in real time provides access through converting speech to text instantaneously. The transcriber is not physically present. The instructor wears a wireless microphone and transmitter. The transcriber wears receiver and converts speech to text on their computer screen. The student uses screen-sharing with transcriber to see the text. The instructor will be contacted by DSS to provide specific information about the course and to arrange set up for technology.

X—Collegiate Life Coaching (CLiC)

Access Coordinators work with students in an active process that enables learning and development and aims to improve academic performance. Students may schedule individual appointments to discuss ways to study more effectively and manage their time in a post-secondary environment.

Some common focus areas:

• Scheduling and time management
• Study skills: note taking, exam preparation, etc.
• Organizational skills for papers and projects
• Dealing with and overcoming procrastination
• Goal setting (academic and personal)

X—Foreign Language Referral

Indiana University does not waive foreign language degree requirements. DSS refers eligible undergraduate students to the designated authority in the College of Arts and Sciences for support in fulfilling foreign language degree requirements.

X—Math Referral

Indiana University does not waive mathematics degree requirements. DSS refers eligible undergraduate students to the designated authority in the College of Arts and Sciences for support in fulfilling these requirements.

X—Orientation and Mobility Training

Students are expected to travel independently to day-to-day activities. An Orientation and Mobility Specialist (O&M) may assist students with orientation to campus, assistance with learning routes, orienting to the residence and residence hall, etc. This is provided on a limited basis.

X—Priority Registration

Early registration for eligible students needing advanced preparation for assistive technology, significant mobility concerns or a chronic health condition requiring an inflexible medical treatment schedule.

X—Van Service

Primarily for students with permanent mobility disabilities to assist them in getting to and from on-campus buildings to attend class. The service has limited hours. If space is available, students with temporary impairments such as fractures or other conditions requiring mobility devices, may be eligible to receive this service.