Accommodation Terms to Know

Approval of Accommodations Letter

  • An email from our office confirming that you’ve been approved for accommodations with next steps listed.

Semester Request

  • An online form that you submit each semester to choose which instructors you want to notify about your accommodations.

Notifiction Letter

  • The official email sent to you and your instructors listing the approved accommodations you’ve requested for each course.

How to Submit Your Semester Request & Begin Accommodations

Each semester, if you plan to use your approved accommodations, you’ll need to notify your instructors. This process starts by submitting a Semester Request through Accommodate, where you choose which courses and instructors to notify. Once submitted, our office sends a Notification Letter to you and your selected instructors outlining your approved accommodations for each course. This process must be completed every semester to ensure your instructors are aware and can support your access. Keep reading to review each step of the process and check out the tutorial to help you submit your Semester Request with confidence.

Need help working through this process? Make an appointment with an SAS Peer Mentor for support!

  • Female college student sitting at a laptop in the library, writing on their notebook

    Review Your Rights and Responsibilities

    Before using your accommodations each semester, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities. Click to learn what you need to know.

  • Male college student, siting at their laptop in a library, holding a book and looking at their computer thoughtfully

    Submit Your Semester Request

    Ready to submit your Semester Request? Click here to view our tutorial and make sure you’ve covered every step.

  • Female student sitting and typing on a laptop

    Start the Accommodation Conversation

    You’re not done yet—this step is essential! After sending your Notification Letters, you must talk with your instructors to fully activate your accommodations. Click to learn why this conversation matters and how to get started.

  • Overhead photo of a desk including a notebook with large block letters saying PLAN, highlighters, glasses, and sticky notes

    Documenting Your Implementation Plan

    Make sure you and your instructor are on the same page all semester by documenting the implementation plan with our Accommodation Planning Tool!

  • Student in red talking with instructor in white about accommodations

    Tips for Discussing General Accommodations with Instructors

    Use our five tips for discussing accommodation implementation with your instructors to feel confident and well-prepared for your meetings.

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    Discussing Complex Flexibility Accommodations

    Flexibility accommodations often take a bit more planning between instructor and student, make sure you are prepared to discuss the implementation with your instructors.

Utilizing Your Accommodations to the Fullest

Discussing accommodations with instructors and utilizing them correctly can feel challenging at first. But with the right tools and information, you can confidently access the support available to you. Below, you’ll find guidance on using exam accommodations, how to effectively use any approved assistive technology, and what to do if you have questions or run into issues. We’re here to help you make the most of your accommodations each step of the way.

  • Student sitting in a computer lab taking an exam on the computer

    Utilizing Exam Accommodations

    Approved for exam accommodations but unsure how they’ll work or where you’ll take your exams? We’ve got you covered!

  • Photo of a man sitting on a cement ledge outside on his laptop smiling

    Using Your Assistive Technology

    Approved for assistive technology but not sure where to start? Explore our resources to help you get set up and make the most of your tools.

  • Four college students walking down steps outside a campus building, smiling and talking while carrying backpacks, notebooks, and folders.

    Getting Support from a Peer Mentor

    Want to make the most of your accommodations and your ISU experience but not sure where to start? Connect with an SAS Peer Mentor!

  • Three students, all female, sitting in a library laughing and smiling at a laptop

    Student Resources Library

    Wanting to dive deeper into support at your time at ISU? Check out our curated Resource Library for students with disabilities.

  • College student, male, sitting in a class at a desk raising their hand for the instructor

    Questions or Concerns?

    Navigating the accommodation process and have questions or concerns? Fill out our form to get quick support!

  • A college student sits at a desk with a laptop open in front of her, looking thoughtfully to the right.

    Supplemental Request for Accommodations

    Began using your accommodations but feel that something is missing? Learn how to submit a Supplemental Request for additional accommodations or support.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You can submit your semester requests at any time, as long as your courses are listed for the requested semester on Accommodate.
  • SAS starts sending out accommodations for the upcoming semester the week before classes begin and continues throughout the semester. However, accommodations will not be processed after the week before finals, as instructors need time to implement them.
  • Please note that accommodations are not retroactive and will not apply to events that occurred before the accommodations were put in place. Be sure to be proactive!

  • Student Accessibility Services (SAS) will start sending out notification letters one week before the semester begins and will continue sending them as requested until the week before finals.
  • SAS typically reviews accommodation requests within a few days. However, please note that processing times may be longer at the beginning of the semester due to a high volume of requests. 
  • If you have not received an approval email within a few days of submitting your request, please contact us for assistance.

  • After your semester request is approved and Notification Letters are sent to your instructors, you must reach out and discuss the implementation of your accommodation before they will begin.
  • After receiving the Notification Letter and discussing the accommodation with you, instructors have one week to start implementing the accommodations or to contact SAS if there's an issue or concern with implementation.
  • Be proactive in sending out your accommodations and meeting with your instructors to ensure you're accommodated as needed.
    • For example, if you submit your request the week of an exam, there is not enough time for the instructor to prepare and implement the accommodations for that exam. You will likely not receive the accommodation for that week's exam; however, accommodations can now be in place for future exams.

  • If you change your courses or sections after submitting a request, you'll need to submit a new request for the updated courses.
    • Please note that changes to your class schedule may not be reflected in Accommodate until the following day.
  • If your courses aren't appearing correctly but you believe they should be, please reach out to our office for assistance!

  • If you decide later that you want an accommodation sent to a class you previously unchecked, you can submit a new request.
    • Simply create a new semester request and select only the specific accommodation you wish to update.
  • Make sure to reach back out to your instructor to discuss this additional accommodation and how it will be implemented in the course.

Need Help?

Have questions or concerns about implementing your accommodations? Get support from SAS!