Accommodations

Accommodations in the postsecondary setting refer to “academic adjustments and auxiliary aids” put in place to provide for equally effective access to programs, benefits and services for qualified individuals with disabilities. The goal is to remove unnecessary academic barriers that intersect with the functional limitations of a disability.

Types of Accommodations: 

• Testing Accommodations
• Classroom Accommodations
• Housing Accommodations

The purpose of an accommodation is:

• To provide equal access, equal opportunity, and ensure non-discrimination. This includes that disabled students can fully engage in the same activities, campus services, and enjoy the same benefits and experiences available to students without disabilities.
• To address barriers at the intersection of the disability and the environment.

Accommodations are not intended to ensure academic success or lessen student responsibilities to meet college-level standards, but rather utilize the same information shared with other students so disabled students have the same opportunity to achieve as non-disabled students.

A qualified student with a disability. Defined by Americans with Disability Act, as Amended 2008 (ADAAA) is an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities or an individual with a record of such impairment.

1. Complete the CDR Student Registration Form:
   

   Our interactive process includes gathering as much input as possible regarding your educational experience and history of utilizing accommodations; therefore, allow 30 to 60 minutes to complete the registration form.Complete the form as thoroughly as possible, detailing your learning experiences and request for specific accommodation and support. Please do not wait to register due to the lack of proper documentation.

2. Receive “Next-Steps” Email: After registering you will receive an email detailing the Next Steps.

   For currently enrolled students, allow 2-3 business days for an initial review, detailing who your access coordinator is and instructions on how to schedule a welcome meeting.

   For incoming students, prior to June 1^st, you will receive confirmation of your registration and general information on next steps and after June 1^st detailing who your assigned access coordinator is and instructions on how to schedule a welcome meeting.

3. Schedule Welcome Meeting :

   Once you receive your email, log onto the Disability Student Portal to schedule your Welcome Meeting. If you have difficulty scheduling your Welcome Meeting or any follow-up meeting, please call us at 315-443-4498 for assistance.

4. Upload Relevant Documentation: Complete the form as thoroughly as possible, detailing your learning experiences and request for specific accommodation and support. If your documentation is password protected, provide the password in the document title when uploading. Students can review our Documentation Guidelines here.

The Role of Documentation:

• aids in identification of access barrier(s)
• confirms a clinical diagnosis or in the case of educational assessments, classification of a student with a disability receiving special education or 504 accommodation(s)
• provides useful information to helping determine if a student’s condition rises to the level of disability, requiring disability-related accommodation(s)
• provides descriptive information regarding severity of the condition and impact on daily life activities (ie. living, learning)
• provides history of accommodation(s)

Notes on Documentation:

• Documentation does not guarantee specific accommodations. Documentation fills in gaps between what the student reports and may help to support the rationale for the requested accommodation(s).
• Medical providers do not determine accommodations. Their recommendations are part of the full review and are taken under consideration when CDR determines and approves accommodations.
• Provider Verification Forms should be recent and completed in full.
• The most recent educational documentation is requested, but older assessments/evaluations are accepted and often provide valuable information. CDR does not require updated educational assessments.

• How to Upload Documentation (.pdf) through the Disability Student Portal.

• Learn how to renew accommodation letter here.

Pregnancy accommodations are processed through the Student Title IX office. To learn more, contact the office at titleIX@syr.edu or visit https://titleix.syracuse.edu/