Implementing Accommodations
In Your Classroom
- After a student generates their Notification Letter for your course, you will receive their letter via email. You can also view and manage all accommodation requests in your courses using the Accommodate Portal
- Review the letter for the student's accommodations and sign the letter (video tutorial here). If unsure of your responsibilities for that particular accommodation, review the instructions on this page. A list of common academic accommodations can be found here along with the Academic Accommodation Resource Guide.
- Collaborate with the student and our office to implement the accommodation in a timely manner. Consult with the student's Accessibility Coordinator if you have any concerns about the feasibility of an accommodation in your course.
The Accommodate portal allows you to view and manage all student accommodations in your courses. If you need assistance, contact the SAS office at 515-294-7220 or accessibility@iastate.edu.
Iowa State University is committed to advancing equity, access, and inclusion for students with disabilities. Promoting these values entails providing reasonable accommodations where barriers exist to students’ full participation in higher education. Students in need of accommodations or who experience accessibility-related barriers to learning should work with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to identify resources and support available to them. Staff at SAS collaborate with students and campus partners to coordinate accommodations and to further the academic excellence of students with disabilities. Information about SAS is available online at www.sas.dso.iastate.edu, by email at accessibility@iastate.edu, or by phone at 515-294-7220.
Feasibility and Timing of Requests
- Please view a student's accommodation letter as a conversation starter to determine how best to provide an accessible learning environment. If you have other ideas regarding how to create access for your course beyond what is listed in this letter, we encourage you to speak with the student to explore alternative modifications. Instructors are encouraged to utilize the Accommodation Planning Tool to help facilitate that conversation. You are also welcome to consult with our office to discuss course design, learning objectives and reasonable access options.
- If you have any concerns about the feasibility of an accommodation in your course, please contact us. We want to learn more about your course design and collaborate on a plan that works for everyone.
- Note: It is important to never deny a student's accommodation request without first consulting with our office.
- Note: It is important to never deny a student's accommodation request without first consulting with our office.
- Students can register with SAS and/or request accommodations in a course at any time during the semester. However, students are expected to make proactive requests within a reasonable timeframe. Accommodations are designed to be implemented at the point of request moving forward. Retroactive accommodations are typically only given at instructor discretion. We encourage you to consult with us when considering retroactive requests.
Interactive Process Flowchart for Instructors (text from image)
QUESTION: After receiving a notification letter, read through the accommodations. Can you accommodate this into your classroom?
IF YES: Meet with the student to review the accommodations and utilize the accommodation planning tool
IF NO: Contact SAS. We want to learn more about your course design and collaborate on a plan that works for everyone. This might include inviting the student in to meet with all of us.
- Questions we ask during the interactive process:
- What are the essential requirements and learning objectives of your course?
- Is there more than one way to meet the course requirements?
- Does the proposed accommodation maintain the essential requirements and objectives of the course?
Please note: The University is legally required to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities unless an accommodation will fundamentally alter the course. We believe it is effective and beneficial when University personnel work together to provide accommodations allowing students equal access to all services the University provides. Like all educational records, Instructors must be mindful of confidentiality and assure that information relating to disability accommodations is not disclosed to third parties, including other students.