Appropriate documentation of the disability must be on file with Access-Ability Services and the student must participate in an Intake appointment prior to the provision of any services or accommodations. (Please see Documentation Guidelines.) Students may be asked to submit additional documentation to qualify for disability support for successive semesters if the current documentation is incomplete or if the nature of the disability changes. Returning students that have previously participated in an Intake do not need to repeat the intake appointment in subsequent semesters. If a student needs to modify their accommodations, they should reach out to their Disability Service Provider.
Accommodation Letters
Students must request Accommodation Letters each semester to be submitted to professors, as accommodations do not automatically roll-over each semester. This official document identifies the student as having approved accommodations and/or services. Only the approved academic accommodations listed on the Accommodation Letter will be granted to the student. Students who choose to access their accommodations are encouraged to meet individually with the instructor at the beginning of the semester to request specific accommodations based on the Accommodation Letter once it has been submitted to the instructors. Reasonable classroom accommodations are intended to give qualified students with disabilities equal or equivalent access to educational programs and alternatives may be provided as appropriate.
- The student maintains the right to access or to waive accommodations on a course-by-course or on a task-by-task basis.
- Students who choose not to disclose their accommodations to a professor and then change their minds as the semester progresses must allow reasonable time for accommodations to begin. There will be no retroactive consideration or adjustment to grades.
- Students who choose not to submit their Accommodation Letter to professors forfeit all academic accommodations.
- Students who wish to use the accommodation of Advanced Registration must request their Accommodation Letters at the start of the semester. Failure to do so may result in the inability to receive Advanced Registration for that semester. Once registration dates have been sent out, students may still request accommodations for that semester, but they will not receive Advanced Registration.
- It is the student’s responsibility to inform Access-Ability Services if they have any issues
or concerns with their accommodations in a timely manner. - It is the student’s responsibility to notify Access-Ability Services if their schedule/professors change after their Accommodation Letter has been sent out.
- All students, regardless of the presence of a disability, are required to meet the same academic, comportment, and clinical standards.
Testing Accommodations
Students with testing accommodations must make arrangements with their professors OR Access-Ability Services at least 5 business days in advance of the date of the test/exam. Exam reservations in Access-Ability Services are made by phone or in person, we do not make exam reservations by email except during the summer and winter terms.
- Students are required to take tests, exams, and final exams at the same time/date as their class. Work schedules, clubs/activities, and travel plans are not considered valid reasons to test the student on a different day/time. Occasionally, a scheduling conflict arises, and, if necessary, legitimate exceptions to the standard policy may be made at the discretion of the Disability Services Provider.
- The accommodation of extended time does not mean unlimited time. Accommodations will be given of time and one half (1.5x) or double time (2.0x).
- Short quizzes that take up less than half of the class time will be taken in class. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the professor for extended time on short quizzes. Students that require Assistive technology or other accommodations that are not available in the classroom may take short quizzes in Access-Ability Services.
- Access-Ability Services can offer an environment with minimal distractions. Access-Ability Services does not offer a testing environment that is completely distraction free (disposable ear plugs or noise canceling headphones are available for students who qualify).
- The responsibility of readers and scribes is to read/write verbatim and are unable to clarify questions or assist the student with their exam.
- The professor may clarify/explain a test prompt at his/her discretion.
- Students testing in Access-Ability Services must arrive on time to take the test and may leave as soon as the test is completed. If you arrive late for your test we do not add on the time that you missed. Occasionally a professor will require the student to remain at Access-Ability Services until the class begins the exam. Once the student submits their exam and leaves the testing site, the student forfeits access to the test.
- Students must leave personal belongings including but not limited to jacket, book bag, purse, cell phones, smartwatches, listening device, textbooks and notes in the reception area unless approved by the professor for use during the exam, as indicated on the Exam Administration Form.
- Students must submit any scrap paper, calculations, or notes with the completed test/exam.
- Students are expected to follow the guidelines of academic integrity. If a student breaks tenets of academic integrity while testing in Access-Ability Services, the professor will be notified and determine the consequences.
Academic Coaching
Academic coaching services are subject to availability and designed for first year students. Students with Academic Coaching appointments should call Access-Ability Services at 860-768-4312 if they are unable to keep their appointments. Three absences from scheduled appointments will result in removal from the weekly Academic Coaching schedule. In this event, students may request to be put on a waitlist for a new appointment time.
Reduced Course Load
Reduced Course Load
Access-Ability Services will occasionally offer a reduced course load as an academic accommodation for a student with a disability. Unlike part-time status, approval for a reduced course load permits a student to register for a course load that is less than full-time, while still being considered a full-time student. Students approved for a reduced course load are entitled to all services enjoyed by full-time students, and will be considered to be full-time students for purposes of financial assistance and student accounts.
- Students approved for a reduced course load at 9 credits per semester will be billed as a part-time student (¾ time). All institutional and federal aid will be awarded in full for that particular semester as long as student is making satisfactory academic progress.
- Students who are enrolled in a program that requires more than 12 credits per semester, but are approved by the Disability Service Provider for a 12 credit reduced course load will continue to be billed as a full-time student. However, upon review of Satisfactory Academic Progress, students will be evaluated based on their approved reduced course load instead of the required credit load.
- Qualified students may receive up to 8 semesters of institutional aid and up to 10 semesters of federal aid (if eligible) if they are making Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of each semester. A reduced course load does not change this standard.