Southern Oregon University : ACCESS : Disability Services : Accommodated Testing

Disability Services for Students

Accommodated Testing in the ACCESS Center

Eligibility

Students with documented disabilities that require accommodation of a reduced-distraction or distraction-free room, extended time, or the use of adaptive technology. Students must present an accommodation letter from DSS to their instructors and follow the instructions listed on the form in order to receive testing accommodations.

What kind of notice is needed?

Students are responsible for returning a completed Request for Test Accommodation form to DSS staff at least 7 days prior to a test needing accommodation. Request forms may be picked up from the ACCESS Center during regular business hours or downloaded here: Download the Testing Request Form. Exceptions are made for students rescheduling a test due to disability-related absence on the day of a test. Students must discuss this exceptional scheduling with a DSS staff member as soon as possible. Documentation (such as a physician's note) may be required.

Are tests given at the same time and date as the class exam?

We try to schedule exams for the same date and time as the class exam. However, we may need to schedule at an alternate time in the following circumstances:

If an exam is scheduled to use only a portion of a regularly scheduled class time, to be followed by lecture or other classroom activity, rescheduling allows for an extra time accommodation without impinging on other class activities.
If an extra time accommodation would infringe on the students' other classes or work schedule.
In the case of finals, exams may be rescheduled to avoid a student having multiple exams on a single day. (In this instance, the first arranged final will have precedence of scheduling.)
There are over 170 students eligible for accommodated exams in the ACCESS Center. We may need to reschedule exams based on space and time constraints in our office.

What about pop quizzes?

When faculty members wish to use pop quizzes as an essential component of a course, they should contact DSS as soon as possible after receiving a student's letter of accommodation. Faculty should provide DSS with as much information as possible about the dates of the pop quizzes. This information will not be released to the student. On the day of a pop quiz, faculty may hand the student their quiz in a sealed envelope to bring to the ACCESS Center. Students will receive their other test accommodations (extra time, adaptive technology, etc.) as usual.

Reasons a test request may be refused:

When request forms are not completed and submitted to DSS staff 7 days prior to a test.
Tests which by their designated purpose are not suitable for an alternative site (such as lab tests or group work). For these types of exams, the instructor and student should arrange together in advance for a time for testing in the necessary environment which can accommodate the need for additional time and the elimination of outside distractions, and for required aids.
When the student is not a registered student with DSS. The ACCESS Center does not have the space or staffing to proctor makeup exams, distance education exams, etc.

How long are testing request forms kept?

After testing is completed, the testing forms are kept on file by DSS according to the OUS records retention schedule and are available for review by instructors at any time.