Students have four major responsibilities in securing class accommodations.

1. You are responsible for requesting accommodations from the Office of Disability Services at the BEGINNING of each semester.

2. You are also responsible for delivering the accommodation letters to your instructors at the beginning of each semester, and discussing the requested accommodations with your instructors. If you deliver accommodation letters AFTER the beginning of the semester, class work and grades received before letters are delivered cannot be altered. Instructors must be provided with letters AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE you need an accommodation.

3. You are responsible for planning and scheduling accommodations with your instructors. You should confirm with each instructor how accommodations will be provided (for example, when to start tests if you are allowed extended test time, or when and where to take an exam if you are allowed reduced distraction testing).

4. You are responsible for notifying ODS IMMEDIATELY if you have any problems receiving accommodations, or if you feel you have been discriminated against or treated differently in any way.

Office of Disability Services
133B Martha Parham East
phone: 348-4285
TTY: 348-3081
Email: ods@bama.ua.edu

Initiating Classroom Accommodations with Instructors

When presenting your request for accommodations to your course instructors, please consider the following guidelines:

1. Make an appointment. Request an appointment with the instructor or go by his/her office during office hours. It is not advisable to attempt to discuss your disability or accommodation request with your instructor in front of the class or as he/she is coming from or going to a lecture.

2. Verification to instructors. Present your "accommodation letter" when you talk to your instructor. If the instructor questions your need for accommodation or has questions you are not comfortable answering or feel you cannot answer effectively, encourage him/her to call ODS. You should also contact ODS.

3. Be specific. When meeting with the instructor make sure your accommodation request is specific and details of implementation (when, where, how) are mutually understood and agreeable. Remember, you do not have to disclose your specific disability if you do not want to do so. If you are uncomfortable identifying your disability, keep the conversation focused on accommodation arrangements.

4. Stay in communication. Students and faculty are encouraged to maintain ongoing conversations throughout the semester regarding accommodations. Do not assume that something is scheduled or taken care of, unless you have specifically discussed it with your instructor. Also, since instructors are often very busy, it is advisable to remind them of planned accommodations the class meeting before to avoid difficulty. Arrangements for testing accommodations should be refreshed at least a week (5 working days) before an exam.

5. Report problems to ODS. If problems arise which cannot be satisfactorily resolved between you and the instructor, contact ODS staff for assistance. ODS staff will attempt to resolve the issues causing concern by assisting the student in discussing issues with the instructor, department, or program, participating in such discussions, or calling the instructor or head of the department in an effort to clarify and resolve the issues. Most situations are positively resolved through ODS consultation. However, there is a dispute resolution process and a formal complaint procedure, if needed (See ODS Handbook, Polices and Procedures for Students).