Using Accommodations
How do my professors know I have accommodations?
Every semester, students should utilize Access KSU to request course accommodation letters for each class where they want to use accommodations. , the official student information system of SAS, will generate an email to instructors containing information about accommodations. This email serves as official notice of accommodations; students are responsible for making this request each semester or any time they add or drop a course. Course accommodation letters (CAL) do not share information about a student’s disability, and all disability-specific information stays in SAS separate from other academic records.
Students are strongly encouraged to discuss CALs with their instructors at the start of the semester. Students may decide to share disability information with their instructors if they choose, and instructors should treat that information as confidential. If instructors have questions about accommodations, they should reach out to SAS for more information.
How do I use accommodations at a regional campus?
SAS has Access Advisors at every campus, and all Access Advisors utilize the same process to determine accommodations. Students should get connected at the first campus where they take classes. Once connected, accommodations can be utilized at every Â鶹ÊÓƵ campus by requesting course accommodation letters through Access KSU. Testing procedures may vary by campus, so it is helpful for students to contact the Access Advisor at their respective campus for details. Accommodation processes may vary for students at the College of Podiatric Medicine.
Do accommodations apply to placement testing?
Most placement testing is untimed and does not require accommodation. However, students with a visual disability who needs to utilize a screen reader or students with a math disability seeking accommodations for their ALEKS placement should contact SAS prior to taking their placement assessments to ensure that appropriate accommodations are implemented. Additional information about placement testing is available on the Placement website.
Do accommodations apply to all classes?
Student eligibility for accommodations will remain the same, unless the student requests a change. Students can use Access KSU to choose which accommodations they would like to use for each class, so they may choose not to utilize all accommodations in every class. Accommodations are not removed, even if students do not request them. Accommodations are determined with traditional classroom experiences in mind, so not every accommodation will make sense for every class.
Do accommodations apply to experiential learning?
If students are enrolled in experiential learning requirements, such as internships, practicums, clinicals, or field placements, they should discuss their accommodation needs with SAS as early in the semester as possible. Students may need to work with program or site supervisors to get necessary information, and students may need to contact the location’s HR office to utilize some accommodations on site. If a program or site supervisor thinks that an accommodation might alter the essential nature of the experience, they should contact SAS as soon as possible to initiate a discussion of appropriate accommodations.
Does SAS provide course substitutions or waivers?
In limited circumstances, a waiver or substitution of a required course may be appropriate for a student based on their disability. Plans of study and academic requirements are the purview of each academic college, so substitutions or waivers can only be approved by the Dean of the degree-granting college or their designee. However, SAS can review disability-related requests and consult with academic personnel to determine if a course substitution or waiver is appropriate based on the student’s disability. Students should not share disability documentation outside of SAS whenever possible. Students should discuss this request with their Access Advisor.