- Academic accommodations provide equal access while maintaining essential course requirements.
- Accommodation decisions are individualized and based on disability-related barriers.
- Accommodations do not transfer from other schools or institutions and must be reviewed through SAS.
- Documentation requirements vary based on your disability and requested accommodations.
Academic Accommodations
What To Know
About Academic Accommodations
Academic accommodations support students whose disabilities impact learning, coursework, classroom participation, or other academic activities. They are designed to provide equal access while maintaining the essential requirements of a course.
When Academic Accommodations May Be Appropriate
Academic accommodations may address disability-related barriers in the following areas:
- Access to instructional materials and course content
- Classroom participation and academic activities
- Assessments, quizzes, exams, and other methods used to evaluate learning
- Access to classrooms, labs, and other learning environments
- Assistive technology and disability-related equipment
- Disability-related medical needs during academic activities
Requesting Academic Accommodations
Process
To begin the process for requesting academic accommodations, visit our How to Request Accommodations page. There, you'll find information about the registration process and what to expect during the accommodation review process.
Current & Incoming Students
Students can apply for academic accommodations at any time, including during the semester. However, accommodations are not retroactive, and the review process can take time. For this reason, we recommend applying before the semester begins whenever possible.
Students may begin the official accommodation application process as early as one year before their intended starting semester at Iowa State.
Prospective Students
Prospective students who are exploring college options are welcome to contact our office with questions. While we cannot determine accommodations until a student is accepted into Iowa State, we can provide general information about our services, the accommodation process, and documentation guidelines.
After academic accommodations are approved, you'll receive information about how to begin using them in your classes. Academic accommodations require additional steps each semester, including communicating with instructors about implementation. Visit our Using Your Accommodations page to learn more.
Documentation
Documentation helps us understand the impact of your disability and determine reasonable accommodations that support access in the classrooms at Iowa State. Visit our Documentation Guidelines page to learn about documentation requirements, examples of acceptable documentation, provider guidance, and options for submitting documentation.
If you have questions about your documentation, our staff can help you understand what information may be needed as part of the review process.
Examples of documentation that may help support an academic accommodation request include:
- IEP or 504 Plan
- Psychological, Psychoeducational, or Neuropsychological Evaluation
- Letter from a licensed medical or mental health provider (see guidelines)
- Previous medical, clinical, or educational records
- SAS Documentation Form (available on our Documentation Guidelines page)
Frequently Asked Questions
IEPs and 504 Plans developed in high school do not automatically transfer to college. In higher education, accommodation requests are reviewed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through an interactive process that considers the student’s current disability-related barriers in the university environment.
College accommodations are designed to provide equal access and equal opportunity by addressing disability-related barriers. This differs from the K–12 educational model under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which focuses more broadly on educational success and support services in elementary and secondary education.
While high school accommodations and documentation may help provide context regarding past supports, they do not mean that all previously approved accommodations will continue in college.
Meeting with SAS can help you understand the accommodation process, discuss your accessibility needs, and explore available accommodation options. In some cases, additional documentation may be needed to determine appropriate accommodations.
Academic advisors do not typically need information about a student's accommodations unless they are also serving as an instructor. Students should continue working directly with their advisor regarding course selection, degree requirements, and academic planning.
Registering with SAS does not appear on your academic record because disability-related information is confidential.
No. SAS uses a team-based approach rather than assigning students to a dedicated case manager. Students may work with several staff members throughout the accommodation process, and all SAS staff are able to answer questions and provide support.
No. SAS does not waive, modify, or substitute degree requirements. This includes waiving foreign language requirements, approving course substitutions, or granting incompletes. Students seeking a substitution or exception to a language requirement should work with their academic advisor and the college or department responsible for their degree program, as any appeals or curriculum changes are determined by the academic unit.
Many students with disability-related concerns about foreign language courses find that American Sign Language (ASL) courses are a suitable alternative that fulfills the language requirement for their degree program. Students should consult with their academic advisor to determine whether ASL meets the requirements of their specific major.
It is normal to experience temporary illnesses while in college. SAS is not able to provide retroactive accommodations for temporary illnesses. Students experiencing a temporary illness should communicate directly with their instructors regarding missed classes, assignments, or exams.
If you have a disability that may affect your attendance or coursework on an ongoing basis, SAS can discuss whether accommodations may be appropriate and how to begin the accommodation process.
Wondering what instructors need to know about your accommodations and how they will look in each class? Visit our Using Your Accommodations page to learn about the specifics of implementing your accommodations.
Yes. After sending your official accommodation letter to your instructor, you should communicate with them about how your accommodations will be implemented in the course. These conversations help ensure accommodations are understood and in place when needed.
Visit our Using Your Accommodations page to learn more about communicating with instructors and using accommodations each semester.
Still have questions?
Learn more about accommodations at ISU or contact Student Accessibility Services to connect with a staff member.