Disability Resources

Accommodation Letters

An Accommodation Letter is the key to accommodations, plain and simple. It serves several purposes:

• Verifies to an instructor that the student is a registered student with a disability
• Serves as a request for specific accommodations needed for equal access to a class; such as special seating or testing accommodations, or interpreter services
• Informs the instructor of other accommodations the student may be using while completing classwork, such as taping lectures or using notetaker or alternate format text services
• Opens an opportunity for student and instructor to discuss ways to succeed in the class

In order to receive any accommodations for a class, the student must deliver a current copy of their Accommodation Letter to the instructor.

Recommendations for Students

• The only way to send an accommodation letter is to log in to AIMS and set up your classes. Use our Tutorials if you need help.
• Register your courses in AIMS right after you register for classes. If you registered for Disability Resources later in the term, register your courses as soon as you have access to AIMS. We cannot make retroactive accommodations, so your accommodations cannot start until the instructor has received your letter.
• Meet with the instructor during office hours to discuss your accommodations. During your discussion, give your instructor as much information, as it affects this class, as you feel comfortable sharing. Instructors want to be able to work with their students as effectively as possible; having this information may help them adjust their teaching methods. This is also an excellent time to fill out the Testing Contract, if you will be using accommodated testing.

Information for Faculty

• The Accommodation Letter includes some information about Disability Resources and accommodations in general, then lists the accommodations for which this student is eligible.
• Some accommodations are arranged by Disability Resources (alternate format texts, notetaking), some are arranged by the instructor (enlarged font handouts, lists of specialized vocabulary), some are arranged in conjunction (test accommodations). If you are unsure where the responsibility for an accommodation lies, please contact Disability Resources at 552-6213, or email the Director of Disability Resources.