Before using your accommodations each semester, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities. Click to learn what you need to know.
Before using your accommodations each semester, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities. Click to learn what you need to know.
Do you know when you need to contact your instructors? What are you required to share with instructors, or what don’t you have to disclose? Before you reach out to Instructors, make sure you understand your rights, your responsibilities, and how to handle issues if they come up. Click below to learn what every student using accommodations should know to advocate effectively!
Ready to submit your Semester Request? Click here to view our tutorial and make sure you’ve covered every step.
Ready to submit your Semester Request? Click here to view our tutorial and make sure you’ve covered every step.
Each semester, you must submit a semester request in the Accommodate system to notify your instructors of your approved accommodations.
Before you begin, make sure you're ready to go by checking the following:
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.
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.
Once your notification letters have been sent, your accommodations are not automatically active—you must follow up with each instructor. Having an early conversation about your accommodations helps ensure they are clearly understood, thoughtfully planned for, and implemented on time. Because instructors have one week after this conversation to begin putting accommodations in place, starting the discussion early is important.
This conversation gives you and your instructor the chance to:
You can start this conversation by visiting office hours or sending an email. Be sure to use a clear subject line so your instructor knows the message is about accommodations.
Want more support in starting these conversations?
Continue below to view our full guide, which includes tips, email templates, and talking points to help you feel more confident.
Make sure you and your instructor are on the same page all semester by documenting the implementation plan with our Accommodation Planning Tool!
Make sure you and your instructor are on the same page all semester by documenting the implementation plan with our Accommodation Planning Tool!
Creating a documented implementation plan for your accommodations is crucial to ensuring that you and your instructor stay on the same page throughout the semester. This plan should detail each accommodation, outline how it will be put into practice, specify the actions required from both you and your instructor, and note any course-specific restrictions.
To keep everything organized, consider following up with your instructor via email to confirm the details or creating a written document during your meeting.
To assist with this process, we’ve attached our Accommodation Planning Tool, which can help streamline your discussion and provide a clear record of the implementation plan. This documentation will be a valuable reference as you progress through the semester, helping to ensure that all accommodations are effectively implemented.
Use our five tips for discussing accommodation implementation with your instructors to feel confident and well-prepared for your meetings.
Use our five tips for discussing accommodation implementation with your instructors to feel confident and well-prepared for your meetings.
If you or your instructor have any concerns about implementing your accommodations in the course, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are more than happy to discuss options and assist in ensuring the appropriate accommodations are provided. We are here to help!
Flexibility accommodations often take a bit more planning between instructor and student, make sure you are prepared to discuss the implementation with your instructors.
Flexibility accommodations often take a bit more planning between instructor and student, make sure you are prepared to discuss the implementation with your instructors.
Complex flexibility accommodations, such as flexibility with deadlines, attendance, and rescheduling exams, are meant to support your access without compromising course requirements or academic standards. Because these accommodations are not as common, they can be harder to discuss. Check out our support below before using your accommodations!
Before meeting with your instructor, take time to review the flexibility accommodation(s) you’ve been approved for. Consider:
Each course may require a slightly different approach. When possible, try to document the following:
Flexibility Limitations:
Once you’ve created a flexibility plan with your instructor, it’s okay to use it when you need to—after all, that’s what it’s there for. Disabilities can be unpredictable, and these accommodations are meant to provide support during those times.
Only use your flexibility accommodations for disability-related needs:
If you encounter challenges:
Approved for exam accommodations but unsure how they’ll work or where you’ll take your exams? We’ve got you covered!
Approved for exam accommodations but unsure how they’ll work or where you’ll take your exams? We’ve got you covered!
Having a clear plan with your instructors well before an exam is essential for making sure your accommodations are in place. Instructors need time to make arrangements—whether that’s adjusting the timing of the exam, reserving a different space, or coordinating with a testing center. Waiting until the last minute can create barriers to access and may result in delays or limited availability, especially during midterms and finals.
To learn more about how to implement exam accommodations, view our Exam Accommodations page.
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.
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.
If you have been approved for an assistive technology accommodation, take some time to learn how to set up your assistive technology devices and software step-by-step with easy-to-follow guides.
Training and Support
For more support on how to use your tools most effectively, email our Support Services Coordinator, Katie Kanauss, at accessibility@iastate.edu
Want to make the most of your accommodations and your ISU experience but not sure where to start? Connect with an SAS 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!
Our Peer Mentors are trained ISU students with lived experience navigating college with a disability. They’ve been where you are and are here to support you as you adjust to college life, manage your academic responsibilities, and advocate for your needs. Whether you're in your first semester or looking for a fresh start, your Peer Mentor can help you find strategies that work for you — both in and out of the classroom.
What can a Peer Mentor help with?
Why meet with a Peer Mentor?
College can be overwhelming, especially if you’re balancing academics, health, and personal responsibilities. You don’t have to do it alone. Peer Mentoring is a space just for you — supportive, judgment-free, and focused on your goals. You set the pace and the priorities.
Ready to get started or want to learn more?
Wanting to dive deeper into support at your time at ISU? Check out our curated Resource Library for students with disabilities.
Wanting to dive deeper into support at your time at ISU? Check out our curated Resource Library for students with disabilities.
Our student resource library contains extra resources and support for students with disabilities going to Iowa State University. Check it out today!
Navigating the accommodation process and have questions or concerns? Fill out our form to get quick support!
Navigating the accommodation process and have questions or concerns? Fill out our form to get quick support!
If you have questions about your accommodations or run into any concerns at any point in the process, we’re here to help. Whether you're unsure how to talk to an instructor, need help with a specific accommodation, or just aren't sure what to do next, reach out! Our Student Support Form is a quick and easy way to get in touch with our team so we can support you right away.
Began using your accommodations but feel that something is missing? Learn how to submit a Supplemental Request for additional accommodations or support.
Began using your accommodations but feel that something is missing? Learn how to submit a Supplemental Request for additional accommodations or support.
If you find that your current accommodations aren’t meeting your needs or you’ve encountered new barriers, you can request additional support at any time. Whether it’s a new diagnosis, a change in your courses, or something else that’s come up, we’re here to help you navigate it. Use the Supplemental Request Form on Accommodate to ask for additional accommodations or to update your support plan.
